2 Chronicles 18
PATmcnted him by presents, and voluntarily paid their tribute. Which it is likely they had neglected in the timo of some of his predecessors, though imposed on them by David, who had conquered the Philistines. And the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rains, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats.] The riches of the Arabians consisted in cattle, as Fuller observes out of Strabo and Pliny, in his Miscellanies, lib. iii. cap. 1G. And the Scripture informs us, how they abounded in both the sorts of flocks here mentioned, (Isa. Ix. 7. Ezck. xxvii. 21.). And these, perhaps, were their tribute, they having been brought under the Jews; or rather their present, by which they sought Jehoshaphat’s friendship, and put themselves under his protection. Hanani had given his father a caution against this, (xvi. 7.) and Jehoshaphat is reproved for if afterward, (xix. 2/* xx. 37.) The Targum expounds the last words thus, that which happens to thee, shall happen to me, in this war.
2 Chronicles 18:1
1\0W Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance. So he had before this time, (xvii. 5.) but now they were more increased. And joined affinity with Ahab.] For his son married Athaliah the daughter of Ahab, (2 Kings viii. 18. and chap. xxL ver. 6. of this book.) His great prosperity tempted him to this affinity with an abominable idolater: having some conceit, perhaps, that he might again unite, by this marriage, the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. \
2 Chronicles 18:2
And after certain years. After there had been peace three years between Israel and Syria, as it is explained 1 Kings xxii. 1. He went down to Ahab to Samaria.] The affinity between them was the occasion, I suppose, of this visit.! And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that were with him.] He entertained both Jehoshaphat and all his attendants with great splendour: which is not mentioned in the book of the Kings, though the substance of this chapter is the same with that abovementioned; and is there explained. And persuaded him to’go, up with him to Jlamoth-Gilcad.’] He caressed him so at this feast, and used such arguments, as prevailed with him to undertake this expedition. Vcr. 3. And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go up tvith me to llamoth-Gilead?] What he had consented unto in the midst of their merriment, he seems now to resolve more deliberately. (See 1 Kings xxii. 4.) And he answered him, tarn as thou art, and my people as thy people; and will be with thee in the war.] The prophet
2 Chronicles 18:4
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to-day.
2 Chronicles 18:5
Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.'
2 Chronicles 18:6
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that xve might inquire of Mm?. These three verses are the same in sense, and almost in words, with those which I have explained in 1 Kings xxii. 5 — 7..
2 Chronicles 18:7
And the king of Israel said unto. Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he never prophesieth good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son oflmla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.] See there, ver. 8.
2 Chronicles 18:8
And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla. He seems to have thought, that Micaiah would be backward to come, because he knew the king’s hatred to him; and therefore he bids the officer (who was a person of quality) quicken him. - •.*’, -
2 Chronicles 18:9
And the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria.] The very same we read there, ver. 10.- And the Targum explains it thus; they sat in a semicircle, as the court of judgment used to do, that they might see one another, and all the people stood before them. And all the prophets prophesied before them.’] All the false prophets, as the Targum understands it, who pretended to the gift of prophecy, which the following words shew to be the meaning.
2 Chronicles 18:10
And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Titus saith the Lord, With these thou slialtpush Syria until they be consumed.
2 Chronicles 18:11
And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-Gilead, and prosper; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
2 Chronicles 18:12
And Jelwshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. He built very strong towers (as Jarchi understands it), and cities wherein he laid up provisions of wine and corn., ’ Vcr. 13. And he had much business in the cities of Judah.] To settle religion, and purge out idolatry; as w t cII as to provide for their safety, by fortifications, and whatsoever was necessary for the preservation of public tranquillity. And the men of war, mighty men of valour, were inJemsalem.] He kept the principal officers in his army near to himself; that he might advise with them upon any emergency.., And the messenger that went to call Micaiah, spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent: let thy word there fore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.
2 Chronicles 18:13
And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak. There is no difference between these verses and those in 1 Kings xxii. 11 — 14.
2 Chronicles 18:14
, And these are the numbers of them, according to the house -of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and withlxim mighty men of valour, three hundred thousand.] He mentions only the commanders-in-chief: under whom were a great number of captains of thousands/ and captains of hundreds, who are not named. And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go up to Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? and he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
2 Chronicles 18:15
And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. In the Hebrew (as it is noted in the margin) the first words are, at his hand was, &c. Which may seem to import, that he was lieutenant-general (as we speak) to the former great man: who assisted him in the management of that army. But the following words plainly signify, that he was another commander-in-chief, having under him a great body of men, though not equal to the former. And, as the Targum translates the. first words (whom Jarchi follows), he encamped near to the former. Vcr. 1G. And next to him wasAmaziah the son ofZichri, who’willingly offered himself unto the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.] Some think, he served as a volunteer, without any stipend; or that he vowed himself to the service. Kiractii thinks that he offered gold and silver to the treasury, for the service of the Lord. And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me, in the name of the Lord? Ver. JG. Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace. .
2 Chronicles 18:17
And of Benjamin; Eliada, a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men, with bow and shield, two hundred thousand. All tho former were of Judah; now ho mentions those of Benjamin, and the eminent persons who commanded them. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, VOL. U. Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?: ^..• •
2 Chronicles 18:18
And next him was Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. See ver. 16. If we put all these numbers of valiant men together, they make a great demonstration of the wonderful blessings of God upon Jehoshaphat: who, though he had little more than the thirJ part of the kingdom which David had, yet went much beyond him, in proportion, ia the number of able men thatAvcro subject to him. For David, when he numbered the people, found but thirteen hundred thousand; and Jehoshaphat. had several bodies of good troops, which altogether amounted to eleven hundred and sixty thousand: not reckoning the garrisons, which were in the strong holds. Nor is there any thing incredible in this, for we read the like in profane histories. The great Thebes, for’ instance, (as Tacitus relates in his Annalcs, lib. ii.) furnished seven hundred thousand soldiers, of its own inhabitants alone. But it is farther observable, how God blessed the reign of these two last kings, Asa and Jehoshaphat: in that when Abijah, the father of Asa, could scarce bring into the field four hundred thousand men, (xiii. 3.) his grandson was able to muster almost three times that number. Again he said, TJierefore hear the word: of the Lord.] Some think he spake these words to. the by-, standers: but this is confuted by 1 Kings xxii. 19. where thfe words are, Hear thou therefore, speaking again to the king.,’ • • In all that follows, to the end of the chapter, there is scarce any difference between it, and what is recorded in the book of the Kings; where I have explained it: and will not here transcribe what the reader may find there.. *
2 Chronicles 18:19
Tliese tvaited on the king.~. That is, these great men, who had such numerous forces at their command, attended the king’s person always, wheresoever he went. Besides those tvhom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.] He made governors of all strong places, who constantly attended their duty there: and w T cre under the direction of the great men beforementioned. Who did not only wait uppn the king, but, as Pellicanus conjectures, presidedover the whole kingdom: and were ready upon any occasion to send abroad the king’s orders, and take care of the public concerns.: •■ jc*Tt <, T .!£.i,/.< • >; >