And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. Ver. 1. _And they continued three years._] No longer. Reconciliations are but fox-like friendships, and covenants with enemies hold not long: “ _Flamma redardescit, quae modo nulla fuit._ ” Witness the wars betwixt Charles V, em... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. Ver. 2. _Jehoshaphat came down to the king of Israel._] With whom he warred at first with good success: 2Ch 17:1-3 but afterwards, for some politic respect, as haply to withstand the growing g... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead [is] ours, and we [be] still, [and] take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria? Ver. 3. _Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours?_] A part of our promised inheritance, and one of our cities of refuge, Jos 20:8 besides... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I [am] as thou [art], my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. Ver. 4. _And he said unto Jehoshaphat._] After that he had royally entertained him, 2Ch 18:2 and conclude... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day. Ver. 5. _Inquire, I pray thee._] Ahab never thought of this, belike. God was not in all his thoughts. Psa 10:4 And yet Scipio went first to the capitol, and then to the senate. _a_ And the Romans cal... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king. Ver. 6. _About four hundred men._] Baal's prophets all;... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? Ver. 7. _Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides?_] Good Jehoshaphat suspecting these four hundred of base flattery, maketh further inquiry for a prophet of the Lord that was _melioris mon... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. Ver. 8. _There is yet one man._] Even king Ahab -... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten [hither] Micaiah the son of Imlah. Ver. 9. _Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah._] This was not Micah, one of the small prophets, as we call them, but another, that lived a hundred and fifty years before him. Michajah, with "J" consonan... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. Ver. 10. _Sat each on his throne._] This might have daunted the good prophet, but that he... [ Continue Reading ]
And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. Ver. 11. _Made him horns of iron._] After the manner of the true prophets of God, who usually, to the word they spake, added such outwar... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the king's hand._ Ver. 12. _And all the prophets prophesied so._] These were fit handles for such a hatchet as Ahab was; fit lettuce for such lips; _dignum patella operculum._ Itchi... [ Continue Reading ]
And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets [declare] good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak [that which is] good. Ver. 13. _The words of the prophets declare good._]... [ Continue Reading ]
And Micaiah said, [As] the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak. Ver. 14. _As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me._] He was resolved to speak the naked truth, though he were sure to kiss the stocks for his stiffness.... [ Continue Reading ]
So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king. Ver. 15. _Go, and prosper._] _Ironice pseudo prophetas fingit._ And Ahab per... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but [that which is] true in the name of the LORD? Ver. 16. _How many times shall I adjure thee?_] I charge thee again and again, as by solemn oath. Here he makes a great flaunt of love to the truth, which, when... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. Ver. 17. _And he said._] Being thus adjured, he speaks out, as did likewise our Saviour. Mat 26:63-64 _ I saw all Isr... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil? Ver. 18. _Did I not tell thee? &c._] Hereby he would persuade Jehoshaphat - and perhaps did so persuade him - that Micaiah spake all out of ill-will, which never speaks well, an... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. Ver. 19. _Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord._] Hear something more than yet thou hast heard. So when Jehoiakim had cut Je... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. Ver. 20. _And one said on this manner, &c._] God cannot want a weapon to beat his rebels with; he hath store of plagues and treasures of wrath for th... [ Continue Reading ]
And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. Ver. 21. _And there came forth a spirit._] An evil spirit, haply, from the left hand of God's throne. _ I will persuade him._] _See Trapp on "_ 1Ki 22:6 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Ver. 22. _And I will be a lying spirit._] This therefore was not Naboth's spirit, as R.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee. Ver. 23. _Now, therefore, behold the Lord._] He hath not only a permissive but an active providence in the just punishment of wicked persons; turning the de... [ Continue Reading ]
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? Ver. 24. _And smote Micaiah on the cheek._] In a most disgraceful manner, and in such a presence. “ _Nihil est audaeius illis_ Deprensis, iram a... [ Continue Reading ]
And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. Ver. 25. _When thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself,_] viz., From the Syrians' invading; or rather from Ahab's friends, who seeing him slain and the army routed, shall seek... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; Ver. 26. _And the king of Israel said._] In the heating of the king of Judah, who sat mute, and, loath to displease Ahab, had not a word to say for the good prophet. Ill co... [ Continue Reading ]
And say, Thus saith the king, Put this [fellow] in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. Ver. 27. _Put this fellow in the prison._] So Savanarola was served for his plain dealing with the Pope; but Mancinell much worse; who, for repro... [ Continue Reading ]
And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you. Ver. 28. _If thou return all in peace._] "The hope of unjust men perisheth": Pro 11:7 _Etiam spes valentissima perit,_ as some render that text: Julian, for instance,... [ Continue Reading ]
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead. Ver. 29. _And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up._] Strange, that being so fairly warned, he should yet go with Ahab: but he had passed his word to him, and was loath to shrink back. So the queen of Navarre, wanting... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. Ver. 30. _I will disguise myself_] This he did, saith Josephus, that he might the more easily and surely el... [ Continue Reading ]
But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. Ver. 31. _But the king of Syria commanded._] This Ahab might haply have some inkling of, and therefore go disguised. Benhadad a... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it [is] the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out. Ver. 32. _And Jehoshaphat cried out._] To God for help, 2Ch 18:31 but in addition in such a manner, as th... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it [was] not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. Ver. 33. _They turned back from pursuing him._] By a sweet providence of God, in whose sight the death of his saints is precious. Psa 116:15... [ Continue Reading ]
And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. Ver. 34. _Drew a bow at a venture._] Heb., In his simplicity, or with all h... [ Continue Reading ]
And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. Ver. 35. _And the battle increased that day._] Heb., Ascended. Josephus then is out sure, who saith that Ahab only wa... [ Continue Reading ]
And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country. Ver. 36. _Saying, Every man to his city._] This was foretold by Micaiah. 1Ki 22:17 God will not suffer his faithfulness to fail, but will fulfil with h... [ Continue Reading ]
So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. Ver. 37. _So the king died._] And now God was even with him for his idolatry, persecution of the prophets, cruelty to Naboth, who now was in far better condition likely. The wicked, saith a reverend man, _a_ are like... [ Continue Reading ]
And [one] washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake. Ver. 38. _In the pool of Samaria._] So the pool in Jezreel might be called, for the reason above given, on 1 Kings 21:19 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? Ver. 39. _And the ivory house which he had made._] For pomp and pleasure: as the emperors of Const... [ Continue Reading ]
_So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead._ Ver. 40. _So Ahab slept with his fathers,_] _i.e., _ Died, as his predecessors had done before him. The mortal scythe is master of the royal sceptre.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. Ver. 41. _Jehoshaphat the son of Asa._] The father was good, but the son better; he repented when he was reproved; but his father stormed, and put the prophet in prison.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehoshaphat [was] thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. Ver. 42. _When he began to reign,_] _i.e., _ When he was designed to reign in his father's time. Compare 2 Chronicles 22:... [ Continue Reading ]
And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; [for] the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places. Ver. 43. _Nevertheless the high places were not ta... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. Ver. 44. _And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel._] But better he had not, for God was deeply displeased with it. 2Ch 19:2 Now a man had better be at odds with all the world, than with God and his own conscience. He purchaseth his outw... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Ver. 45. _And how he warred._] See 2 Chronicles 20:1,25 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land. Ver. 46. _And the remnant of the sodomites._] Called _Cedeshim_ by _antiphrasis; _ and _Meritorii quia mercentur et quaestum faciunt corpore: prostituendo illud vitio ad explendam libidinem._ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Kings 22:47 [There was] then no king in Edom: a deputy [was] king. Ver. 47. _There was then no king in Edom._] Never since victorious David "cast out his shoe over it," Psa 60:8 till wicked Joram's days.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber. Ver. 48. _To go to Ophir for gold._] See 1 Kings 9:28 . _ For his ships were broken._] This cross was in great mercy to Jehoshaphat. "Thou in very faithfulness hast afflicted me... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not. Ver. 49. _But Jehoshaphat would not._] At first he would not, but afterwards he yielded. 2Ch 20:35-37 Or, at first he did, and miscarried; and therefore would not hearke... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead._ Ver. 50. _And Jehoram his son._] His most wicked son, for so he proved, 2 Chronicles 21:6 _, &c._ being the worse doubtless for his wife Athaliah, the... [ Continue Reading ]
Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel. Ver. 51. _Began to reign._] His father Ahab yet living. _ And reigned two years._] After his father's death.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin: Ver. 52. _And walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother._] So did Nero, of whom, while he was young,... [ Continue Reading ]
For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done. Ver. 53. _According to all, &c._] An ill egg of an ill bird, as they said of one of the first Roman emperors.... [ Continue Reading ]