2 Chronicles 18

Josaaphat being joined in affinity with Achab, consenteth to go to war with him against Ramoth in Gilead, vers. 2, etc. but desireth that the word of the LORD should be heard concerning it, 4. Achab’s Prophets give advice for it, 5. Micha a Prophet of the Lord is likewise sent for about it, 6. Achab’s prophets abide by their opinion, 10. Micha on the contrary disswadeth that war, 12. Is therefore smitten by Zedekia, 23. Cast into prison by Achab, 25. Josaphat is holpen by God, 31. Achab is shot, 33.

1. Now Josaphat had riches and honor in abundance: and he joined affinity with Achab. [Having suffered his son to marry with Athalia the daughter of Achab and Izebel, 2 Kings 8 18.]

2. And at the end of (certain) years [So the word days being put alone, is taken for ceratin days, Gen.4.3. See the Annotations there] he went down to Achab to Samaria; [it’s conceived that this was about the seventeenth year of Josaphat’s reign, as may be gathered from 1 Kings 22:52.] and Achab killed sheep, and oxen for him in abundance, [that is, honored and entertained him with a great feast. He made a great feast for him. See Gen.31.on vers.54.] and for the people that were with him, and he put him on to go up to Ramoth [a city of the Tribe of Gad, given to the Levites, 1 Chron.6.8.See of the same likewise, 1 Kings 4:13,etc.] in Gilead [that is, lying in the land of Gilead: of which see Gen.31.on vers.21. Wherefore this city is also called Ramoth in Gilead, Deut.4 43. 1 Chron.6.8. to distinguish it from another Ramoth lying is Issaschar, 1 Chron.6 73.]

3. For Achab King Israel said unto Jehosaphat the King of Juda; Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth in Gilead? And he said unto him; I will be so, as thou art, and as thy people is, shall my people be, [see the exposition hereof 1 Kings 22.on vers.4. in which chapter this history is almost word for word recorded; therefore also the greatest part of the exposition of this chapter is to be found there] and we will be with thee in this war.

4. Moreover, Josaphat said unto the King of Israel; Inquire, I pray, after the word of the LORD, to day.

5. Then the King of Israel gathered together the Prophets, four hundred men, [They are called the prophets Achab, below vers.21. which are opposed to the Prophets of the Lord, which Josaphat desired to hear in the next verse] and he said unto them; Shall we go to battle against Ramoth in Gilead, or shall I for bear? And they said; Go up, for God will deliver it into the Kings hand.

6. But Josaphat said; Is here not yet a Prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of him?

7. Then the King of Israel said unto Josaphat; There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him; for he Prophesieth no good thing concerning me; but always [Heb. all his days: that is, as long, and as often, as he hath prophesied anything unto me in all his life-time] evil; [so 1 Kings 22:8. Hebr.not for good, but for evil. Which is as much as if he had said: He prophesieth nothing unto me, that may tend to mine honor, pleasure, or profit, but all that tends to my disgrace, displeasure, and damage. Thus doth this Idolater Judge of all that the Prophet had here propounded unto him, for the leaving of his false worship and sinful life] this is Micha, the son of Jimla: and Josaphat said; Let not the King say so.

8. Then the King of Israel called a Groom of the Chamber, and he said; Fetch quickly Micha the son of Jimla.

9. Now the King of Israel, and Josaphat the King of Juda, sate each on his throne, arrayed with (their) robes, [Which excelled their ordinary and usual apparel, and represented their royal majesty. See 1 King.22.on v.10.] and they sate on the plain at the door of the gate of Samaria: and all the Prophets prophesied in their presence. [Hebr. Before their faces.]

10. And Zedekia the son of Kenana had made him iron horns: and he said; Thus saith the LORD, with these thou shalt push the Syrians, until thou shalt have destroy them. [It is as much, as if had said, I declared and testify by these horns, that thou shalt so push, smite, and drive away the Syrians, and the horned beasts are able to do those beasts that want horns. He seeks to imitate the true Prophets, who were wont to add some kind of tokens to their words: as appeareth 1 Kings 11:30. 2 Kings 13:15,16, etc.]

11. And all the Prophets Prophesied so, saying; Go up, to Ramoth in Gilead, and thou shalt be prosperous; [See 1 Kings 22. On verse.12.] for the LORD shall deliver them into the Kings hand.

12. Now the Messenger that was gone to call Micha, spake unto him, saying; Behold, the words of the Prophets are out of one mouth, good to the King: [See 1 Kings 1.on vers.42. and above on vers.7.] let now, I pray, thy word, be, according as (the word) of one of them, and speak (the thing which is) good.

13. But Micha said; (as true as) the LORD liveth that which my God shall say, that will I speak.

14. When he was come to the King, then the King said unto him; Micha, shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to battle, or shall I for bear? And he said, go up, and ye shall be prosperous; [See 1 Kings 22.on vers.15.] for they [namely, the Syrians] shall be delivered [to wit, by the Lord, 1 Kings 22:15.] into your hand.

15. And the King said unto him; Unto how many times shall I adjure thee, that thou speak nothing to me but the truth in the Name of the LORD? [These are the words of an angry man, who breaketh so out into sudden anger, the he uttereth falsehood and untruth: for he had not adjured Micha, but had barely asked him the question, what he should do, or not do in the war, which he intended to make against the Syrians, vers.14.]

16. And he said; I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no sherpherd: [See 1 Kings 22.on vers.17.] and the LORD said; These have no Lord; let every one return to his house in peace.

17. Then said the King of Israel unto Josaphat; said I not unto thee; He will not prophesy any good thing concerning me, but evil? [Hebr. To or for evil. 1 Kings 22:18. the word evil alone is mentioned. See above on vers.7.]

18. Moreover, he [Namely, Micha] said; Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the heavenly host standing on his right hand, and on his left.

19. And the LORD said; Who shall persuade Achab King of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth in Gilead? Then he said; [To wit, the LORD, whose words are also those that go before in this verse. Others, And he said, to wit, Micha] This saith thus, and that saith so. [If these words were spoken by Micha, then they should be translated thus; the one said thus, and the other said so.]

20. Then (there) came forth a spirit, [Meaning, a wicked spirit, who in the next verse calleth himself a lying spirit, as he is also called a Liar, and the father of lis, John.8.44.] and stood before the face of the LORD and said; I will persuade him: And the LORD said unto him; Wherewith?

21. And he said; I will go forth, and be a lying spirit [Hebr. a spirit of falsehood, or, of lying; that is, which inspireth falsehood or lying into man. So it is called the spirit of whoredom, that seduceth a man unto spiritual whoredom, that is, unto idolatry, Ho.4.12. the spirit of uncleanness, that provoketh unto spiritual uncleanness, Zach.13.2. the spirit of error, that produceth or bringeth forth error, 1 John 4:6.] in the mouth of all his Prophets: and he said; Thou shalt persuade, and shalt also prevail; go forth, and do so. [See 1 Kings 22.on vers.22.]

22. Now then, behold, the LORD hath given a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy Prophets, [Meaning all, LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

23. Then Zedekia the son of Kenana came near, and smote Micha upon the cheek; and he said; Which way went the spirit of the Lord from me, to speak unto thee?

24. And Micha said; Behold, thou shalt see it on that day, when thou shalt go from chamber into chamber, to hide thy self. [Compare 1 Kings 20 30. And the Annotat.]

25. Now the King of Israel said; Take Micha, and carry him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joab the kings son:

26. And ye shall say; Thus saith the King; Put this (fellow) in the prison-house, and feed him with bread of affliction, and with water of affliction, until I return in peace. [Hebr. until my returning in peace.]

27. And Micha said; If thou return at all [Hebr. returning return] in peace, then the LORD hath not spoken by me: moreover he said; hearken all ye people. [He speaketh (doubtless) to the standers by, who were there met together out of many tribes, to call them as witnesses of that which he had spoken there immediately before.]

28. So the king of Israel, and Josaphat the King of Juda went up to Ramoth in Gilead.

29. And the King of Israel said unto Jehosaphat; when I have disguised my self, I enter into the battle, [Others, I will disguise my self, enter into the battle; or, when he disguised himself, or, changed his apparel, and would enter into the battle. See the exposition of these words, 1 Kings 22.on vers.30.] but put thou on thy robes: so the King of Israel disguished himself, and they entered into the battle.

30. Now the King of Syria had commanded the captains of the charets, which he had, [To wit, two and thirty in number, 1 Kings 22:31,] saying; ye shall not fight against small nor great, but onely against the King of Israel.

31. It came to pass then, when the captains of the charets saw Josaphat, that they said; That is the King of Israel, and they compassed about him, to fight: but Josaphat cried: [To wit, unto the LORD, for aid, as may be gathered from the following words] and the LORD helped him, and God turned them away from him.

32. For it came to pass, when the captains of the charets saw, that it was not the King of Israel, that they turned away from behind him.

33. Then a man drew a be in his simplicity, [See 1 Kings 22.on vers.34.] and shot [Hebr. smote. SeeGen.8.on verse.21.] between the buckles, and between the coats of mail: then he [Namely, King Achab] said to the driver (of his charets) Turn thine hand, [Compare 2 Kings 9:23.] and carry me out of the cam; For I am wounded.

34. And the battle increased the same day, and the King of Israel caused himself to be stayed with the charet over against the Syrians, until the evening, and he died at time, when the sun went down. [So 1 Kings 22:35. it is said, that he died in the evening.]