three years. Probably reckoned from the peace of 1 Kings 20:34 . During this time Jehoshaphat "strengthened himself against Israel" (2 Chronicles 17:1 ): not mentioned here because esoteric. See book comments for 1 Kings.
came down. In every sense of the word; and this after 2 Chronicles 17:1 . First was the matrimonial alliance (2 Chronicles 18:1 ), compare 2 Kings 8:18 ; and then the military alliance (1 Kings 22:4 and 2 Chronicles 18:3 ). No mention here of the former, which was the secret cause that led up to it. Both fatal. Compare the commercial alliance of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 , and the experience gained by Jehoshaphat in Ch. 1Ki 22:48 , 1 Kings 22:49 .
And the king of Israel. Note the Figure of speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ) with 1 Kings 22:2 .
Ramoth. One of the Cities of Refuge.
ours. Given by Jehovah. Therefore presumably a "good work" to take it. But "good works" are "prepared works" (Ephesians 2:10 ), and this was not so prepared. See 2 Chronicles 19:1 , 2 Chronicles 19:2 .
Syria. Probably taken in former war ( 1Ki 16:34 , 1 Kings 16:20 , 1Ki 16:43 ,) by Benhadad I from Omri, which his son Ben-hadad II agreed to restore.
word. So to be read; but written "words". In some codices, with three early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate, it is both written and read "word". Compare 2 Chronicles 18:12 .
Thou shalt, &c. Illustrating 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 . Compare Ezekiel 14:9 , "I have deceived" = I have permitted it. This is quite in harmony with Proverbs 12:22 . That refers to the sphere of God's grace ; this to the sphere of His judgment. We are governed by His Word, not by His ways. Proverbs 12:22 refers to the world of men. This to the world of spirits,
was stayed up = stayed himself up, as in 2 Chronicles 18:34 . Difference caused by pointing of the word ma'amid (here), and ma'amid in Chronicles. The only occurrence of this participle, compare 2 Chronicles 18:34 .
made ships, &c. This was subsequent to 2 Chronicles 20:36-37 . Here Jehoshaphat made "Tharshish ships" to go to Ophir, and, profiting by the experience and warning of 2 Chronicles 20:37 , refused the request of Aha-ziah, king of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 20:35 he had joined himself with Ahaziah to make (ordinary) ships to go to Tharshish, which was quite a different thing.
ships of Tharshish = Tharshish ships: i. e, large ocean-going ships.
Verse 1
three years. Probably reckoned from the peace of 1 Kings 20:34 . During this time Jehoshaphat "strengthened himself against Israel" (2 Chronicles 17:1 ): not mentioned here because esoteric. See book comments for 1 Kings.
Verse 2
came down. In every sense of the word; and this after 2 Chronicles 17:1 . First was the matrimonial alliance (2 Chronicles 18:1 ), compare 2 Kings 8:18 ; and then the military alliance (1 Kings 22:4 and 2 Chronicles 18:3 ). No mention here of the former, which was the secret cause that led up to it. Both fatal. Compare the commercial alliance of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 , and the experience gained by Jehoshaphat in Ch. 1Ki 22:48 , 1 Kings 22:49 .
Verse 3
And the king of Israel. Note the Figure of speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ) with 1 Kings 22:2 .
Ramoth. One of the Cities of Refuge.
ours. Given by Jehovah. Therefore presumably a "good work" to take it. But "good works" are "prepared works" (Ephesians 2:10 ), and this was not so prepared. See 2 Chronicles 19:1 , 2 Chronicles 19:2 .
Syria. Probably taken in former war ( 1Ki 16:34 , 1 Kings 16:20 , 1Ki 16:43 ,) by Benhadad I from Omri, which his son Ben-hadad II agreed to restore.
Verse 6
prophets: i.e. Ahab's false prophets.
for = and.
the Lord*. This is one of the 134 places where "Jehovah" was changed to "Adonai" by the Sopherim . See App-32 .
Verse 7
besides. Jehoshaphat uneasy, well knowing that Ahab's prophets were not the prophets of Jehovah.
Verse 10
void place = level place, or threshing-floor.
Verse 13
word. So to be read; but written "words". In some codices, with three early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate, it is both written and read "word". Compare 2 Chronicles 18:12 .
Verse 15
Go, and prosper. Figure of speech Eironeia. App-6 . Doubtless repeating the words he had heard in verses: 1 Kings 22:6 , 1 Kings 22:13 .
Verse 16
shall: or must.
Verse 18
Did I not. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
Verse 19
heaven = the heavens, as always.
Verse 20
persuade = entice.
Verse 21
a spirit = the spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
Verse 22
Thou shalt, &c. Illustrating 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 . Compare Ezekiel 14:9 , "I have deceived" = I have permitted it. This is quite in harmony with Proverbs 12:22 . That refers to the sphere of God's grace ; this to the sphere of His judgment. We are governed by His Word, not by His ways. Proverbs 12:22 refers to the world of men. This to the world of spirits,
Verse 23
spoken: in 1 Kings 22:17 .
Verse 24
Which way. ? or, Which way then?
Verse 27
Put this fellow, &c. One of the eleven rulers offended with God's servants for speaking the truth. See note on Exodus 10:28 .
Verse 28
People = peoples.
every one = all.
Verse 30
I will. See note on 1 Kings 22:22 . A feigned compliment. and piece of treachery.
Verse 32
it = he.
cried out. See note on 2 Chronicles 18:31 .
Verse 34
at a venture = in his innocence, or to its full stretch.
harness = coat of mail.
Turn thine hand. This is Ahab's history; 2 Chronicles 18:0 is Jehoshaphat's. Hence nothing about Jehovah's help.
Verse 35
was stayed up = stayed himself up, as in 2 Chronicles 18:34 . Difference caused by pointing of the word ma'amid (here), and ma'amid in Chronicles. The only occurrence of this participle, compare 2 Chronicles 18:34 .
Verse 36
Every man. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "Let every man go".
every man. Omitted in some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate.
Verse 40
slept with his fathers. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16 .
Verse 41
Jehoshaphat. Compare 2 Chronicles 17:1 .
Verse 43
And he walked. The 19th Seder begins here, and ends with 2 Kings 2:14 . See note on p. 866.
offered = sacrificed. See App-43 .
Verse 46
sodomites. See note on 1 Kings 14:23 , 1 Kings 14:24 .
Verse 47
no king. As later in 2 Kings 8:20 .
Verse 48
made ships, &c. This was subsequent to 2 Chronicles 20:36-37 . Here Jehoshaphat made "Tharshish ships" to go to Ophir, and, profiting by the experience and warning of 2 Chronicles 20:37 , refused the request of Aha-ziah, king of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 20:35 he had joined himself with Ahaziah to make (ordinary) ships to go to Tharshish, which was quite a different thing.
ships of Tharshish = Tharshish ships: i. e, large ocean-going ships.
Tharshish. See note on 1 Kings 10:22 .
Verse 50
buried: in further explanation of preceding clause.