1 Kings 22

3. Ramoth in Gilead is ours. Ramoth-gilead was one of the cities which Ben-hadad had promised to restore (xx. 34), but on regaining his freedom he had not done so.

8. Micaiah. Micaiah’s name has not occurred before; but Ahab’s language implies that he had previously received from him messages of rebuke and warning.

Let not the king say so. Jehoshaphat’s tame rebuke of Ahab’s impious speech, his silent connivance at the treatment of Micaiah (24-27), and his continued willingness to go with Ahab, show great feebleness of principle. He encouraged Ahab in his evil course. His conduct and its results present an impressive warning to those who would seek to benefit others by concessions inconsistent with their own principles.

11 horns of iron. Representing Ahab’s strength and success.

15. Go, and prosper. This ironical reply, repeating the very words of the false prophets, was as much as to say, “You favour and believe your prophets who bid you go; then go by all means, for you have their assurance of success.” It is plain that Ahab saw Micaiah’s real meaning, probably from his tone of voice, countenance, and gesture.

17 sheep that have not a shepherd. A proverbial expression, derived from Numb. xxvii. 17.

19. I saw the Lord, etc. This may have been either the account of an actual vision, or a parable, describing in figurative language the events shortly about to take place, under the permission of God. Compare the narrative in the first and second chapters of Job.

23 the Lord hath put a lying spirit, etc. “Not by any sudden stroke of vengeance,” says Dean Stanley, “but by the very network of evil counsel which he has woven for himself, is the King of Israel to be led to his ruin.” And Bishop Wordsworth says: “God punishes Ahab by means of his own sin. He ‘chooses’ Ahab’s ‘delusions’ as the means of Ahab’s destruction, and makes Ahab’s own backslidings to reprove him. Ahab had preferred lies to Him who is the Truth; and He who is the Truth will make the lies which Ahab prefers to be the instruments of punishing him who loves them, and of avenging the cause of Him who is the Truth.”

30 put thou on thy robes. Although Ahab had overcome the scruples of his ally, he was evidently himself alarmed; and, in the hope of escaping the predicted danger (17), cunningly proposes to resign the post of honour to his too easy friend; who narrowly escaped paying the penalty of his foolish confidence; but in the moment of extremity was saved through faith and prayer: see 2 Chron. xviii. 31.

31. Fight . . . only with the king of Israel. Such was Benhadad’s return for Ahab’s misplaced kindness: see xx. 34.

34 smote the king of Israel. While wicked men are calculating on the success of their devices (see 30-32), the hand of God often reaches them, and inflicts their predetermined doom.

36 every man to his own country. The Israelites appear to have made a successful retreat after their king was slain. Thus Micaiah’s prophecy (17) was exactly fulfilled.

38 they washed his armour. Rather, “and the harlots bathed,” see R.V. So that even his blood was treated as polluted.

39 the ivory house. That is, coated or inlaid with ivory. See Psa. xlv. 8.

43 the high places were not taken away. See xv. 14; 2 Chron. xv. 17.

48 the ships were broken. Probably by a storm.

49. Jehoshaphat would not. On comparing this with 2 Chron. xx. 36, 37, it appears to refer to a second proposal on the part of Ahaziah. Jehoshaphat, having been reproved and punished for entering into this league, would not consent to renew the attempt.

51. Ahaziah. There is a remarkable identity of names in the two royal families of Israel and Judah, during several generations, arising, no doubt, from the connexion between them by the marriage of Jehoshaphat’s son with Ahab’s daughter.

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