Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. Ver. 1. _Now Jehoshaphat had riches in abundance._] _Stultitiam patiuntur opes._ He was the worse for his wealth - as most men also are, - else he had not been so fond of this new affinity with Ahab. 2Ki 8:18... [ Continue Reading ]
And after [certain] years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that [he had] with him, and persuaded him to go up [with him] to Ramothgilead. Ver. 2. _He went down to Ahab to Samaria._] See 1 Kings 22:2, in which chapter we have th... [ Continue Reading ]
And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I [am] as thou [art], and my people as thy people; and [we will be] with thee in the war. Ver. 3. _I am as thou art._] See 1 Kings 22:4. Jehoshaphat was too facile. It was noted a... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day. Ver. 4. _Inquire, I pray thee, of the Lord today._] Yea, but this should have been done before he had engaged to go. Good Jehoshaphat is oft taxed for being smart too late. Few consider that it is be... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver [it] into the king's hand. Ver. 5. _Four hundred prophets._] An ecumenical council. See on 1 Kings 2... [ Continue Reading ]
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; and all the prophets prophesied before them. Ver. 9. _Clothed in their robes._] And as the Septuagint have it, ενο... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king. Ver. 11. _And all the prophets prophesied._] See 1 Kings 22:12. With as much confidence as Jesuits offer to pawn their souls for the truth of their assertions,... [ Continue Reading ]
And Micaiah said, [As] the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak. Ver. 13. _Even what my God saith._] His God he calleth him, though he had suffered for God, and was like to suffer more for his veracity. He would not budge - as Ecebolius and other timeservers did - for any man's pl... [ Continue Reading ]
Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? Ver. 20. _And there came out a spirit._] The Rabbis fable that this was Naboth's ghost, who to be revenged on Ahab, thus offereth his service. In times of Popery, devils came... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? Ver. 23. _And smote Micaiah._] To do this in open court, and in such a presence, was great impudency; besides the violence, which yet is usuall... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle. Ver. 29. _But put thou on thy robes._] As if you were the general of both armies. Ahab pretended herein t... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It [is] the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them [to depart] from him. Ver. 31. _Therefore they compassed about him.... [ Continue Reading ]
And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. Ver. 33. _Between the joints of the harness._] The hand of Heaven carrying... [ Continue Reading ]
And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed [himself] up in [his] chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died. Ver. 34. _About the time of the sun going down he died._] And so proved that a whole council - of false prophets e... [ Continue Reading ]