Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, July 9th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Read the Bible

Christian Standard Bible ®

1 Kings 22:5

But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the Lord’s will is.”

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Thompson Chain Reference - Jehoshaphat;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Armies of Israel, the;   Syria;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ben-Hadad;   Jehoshaphat;   Ramoth;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ahab;   Jehoshaphat;   Micah;   Prophecy, prophet;   Ramoth-gilead;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Jehoshaphat;   Ramoth-Gilead;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Calf Worship;   Canon of the Old Testament;   Gilead;   Micaiah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ahab;   Kings, 1 and 2;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ben-Hadad;   Jehoshaphat;   Lie, Lying;   Micah, Micaiah;   Ramoth-Gilead, Ramoth in Gilead;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ramoth Gilead ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Ramothgilead;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Judah the kingdom of;   Ramoth;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Mica'iah;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Ramoth;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Army;   Inquire;   Micaiah;   War;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
Yehoshafat said to the king of Yisra'el, Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.
King James Version
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to day.
English Standard Version
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Inquire first for the word of the Lord ."
New Century Version
Jehoshaphat also said to Ahab, "But first we should ask if this is the Lord 's will."
New English Translation
Then Jehoshaphat added, "First seek an oracle from the Lord ."
Amplified Bible
But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire first for the word of the LORD."
New American Standard Bible
However, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please request the word of the LORD first."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then Iehoshaphat saide vnto the King of Israel, Aske counsaile, I pray thee, of the Lord to day.
Legacy Standard Bible
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire first for the word of Yahweh."
Contemporary English Version
But first, let's ask the Lord ."
Complete Jewish Bible
But Y'hoshafat said to the king of Isra'el, "First, we should seek the word of Adonai ."
Darby Translation
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, this day of the word of Jehovah.
Easy-to-Read Version
But first let's ask the Lord for advice."
George Lamsa Translation
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray, for the word of the LORD this day.
Good News Translation
But first let's consult the Lord ."
Lexham English Bible
Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire for the word of Yahweh today."
Literal Translation
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Please inquire at the Word of Jehovah today.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And Iosaphat sayde vnto ye kynge of Israel: Axe this daye at the worde of the LORDE.
American Standard Version
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah.
Bible in Basic English
Then Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Let us now get directions from the Lord.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Iehosaphat sayde vnto the king of Israel: Aske counsel I pray thee at the worde of the Lorde to day.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel: 'Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD today.'
King James Version (1611)
And Iehoshaphat said vnto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to day.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Josaphat said, As I am, so art thou also; as my people, so is thy people; as my horses, so are thy horses.
English Revised Version
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD today.
Berean Standard Bible
But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire first for the word of the LORD."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Josophat seide to the kyng of Israel, As Y am, so and thou; my puple and thi puple ben oon; and my knyytis and thy knyytis `ben oon. And Josephat seide to the kyng of Israel, Y preie thee, axe thou to dai the word of the Lord.
Young's Literal Translation
And Jehoshaphat saith unto the king of Israel, `Seek, I pray thee, to-day, the word of Jehovah;'
Update Bible Version
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray you, for the word of Yahweh.
Webster's Bible Translation
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to-day.
World English Bible
Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Please inquire first for the word of Yahweh.
New King James Version
Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire for the word of the LORD today."
New Living Translation
Then Jehoshaphat added, "But first let's find out what the Lord says."
New Life Bible
Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Ask first for the word of the Lord."
New Revised Standard
But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "Inquire first for the word of the Lord ."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people are us thy people, my horses as thy horses.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Josaphat said to the king of Israel: As I am, so art thou: my people and thy people are one: and my horsemen are thy horsemen. And Josaphat said to the king of Israel: Inquire, I beseech thee, this day the word of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
And Jehosh'aphat said to the king of Israel, "Inquire first for the word of the LORD."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire first for the word of the LORD."

Contextual Overview

1There was a lull of three years without war between Aram and Israel. 2However, in the third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit the king of Israel. 3The king of Israel had said to his servants, “Don’t you know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we’re doing nothing to take it from the king of Aram?” 4So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight Ramoth-gilead?” 5But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the Lord’s will is.”6So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go against Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?” 7But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord here anymore? Let’s ask him.” 8The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man who can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” 9So the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Hurry and get Micaiah son of Imlah!” 10Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, clothed in royal attire, were each sitting on his own throne. They were on the threshing floor at the entrance to the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Inquire: Numbers 27:21, Joshua 9:14, Judges 1:1, Judges 20:18, Judges 20:23, Judges 20:29, 1 Samuel 14:18, 1 Samuel 23:2, 1 Samuel 23:4, 1 Samuel 23:9-12, 1 Samuel 30:8, 2 Kings 1:3, 2 Kings 3:11, 1 Chronicles 10:13, 2 Chronicles 18:4, 2 Chronicles 18:5, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:6, Jeremiah 21:2, Jeremiah 42:2-6, Ezekiel 14:3, Ezekiel 20:1-3

Reciprocal: Judges 18:5 - Ask counsel 1 Samuel 14:37 - Shall I go 2 Chronicles 34:21 - inquire

Cross-References

Hebrews 11:19
He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord today. Being a pious and religious prince, he did not choose to go into a war at once, without consulting the Lord by his prophets, whether it was his will and pleasure they should engage in it, and should prosper; and he was desirous of having this done immediately, before they proceeded any further.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Jehoshaphat, with characteristic piety 1 Kings 22:43 takes advantage of his position as Ahab’s friend and ally, to suggest inquiry of the Lord (Yahweh) before the expedition is undertaken. Lest Ahab should consent in word and put off the inquiry in act, he asks to have the prophets called in at once: “today.”


 
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