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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:4-27

This is almost word for word the same with what we had, 1 Kgs. 22:41-50 We will not repeat what was there said, nor have we much to add, but may take occasion to think, 1. Of the great duty of acknowledging God in all our ways and enquiring at his word, whatever we undertake. Jehoshaphat was not willing to proceed till he had done this, 2 Chron. 18:4. By particular believing prayer, by an unbiased consultation of the scripture and our own consciences, and by an observant regard to the hints of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:2-34

And after certain years ,.... Two years, according to the Syriac and Arabic versions, or in the third year after the affinity was contracted, see 1 Kings 22:2 , he went down to Ahab to Samaria ; to pay him a visit upon the alliance, civil and matrimonial, contracted between them: and Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him ; entertained him and his retinue in a very grand and liberal manner: and persuaded him to go up with him to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:1-34

The second chapter in Jehoshaphat's career. This chapter opens with the statement of a fact that portends no good—the "affinity' which Jehoshaphat "joined with Ahab," the King of Israel. This came to pass in the incident of the marriage of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, with Athaliah, daughter of Ahab. Eight years, or a little more, and it seems to bear no evil fruit; but, if so, it was only that it was taking its time to form and ripen, and now too surely is found. Clusters of lessons in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:4

The wording of this verse is identical with that of the parallel ( 1 Kings 22:5 ). Jehoshaphat, if even not quite conscious of it, is throwing some sop to his conscience in essaying to become, and posing as, the godly counsellor of "the ungodly" ( 2 Chronicles 19:2 ). At any rate, his counsel is right, even to the point of urging to-day, and significantly deprecating procrastination. It is not, however, so clear that he was, in the first instance, as decided in respect of the necessity of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:4

Inquiring of the Lord. We are not at all surprised that Jehoshaphat did not wish to risk the chances of a great battle without "inquiring at the word of the Lord," For it was with him as it should be with us— I. A WISE AND HOLY HABIT to seek a knowledge of God's mind, and the supreme advantage of his direction. Not, indeed, that he invariably asked in this admirable spirit. If we may judge from the silence of Scripture, he had hurried into this questionable partnership... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:4-8

A council of war: Jehoshaphat and Ahab among the prophets. I. JEHOSHAPAT 'S PROPOSAL . To inquire at the Lord ( 2 Chronicles 18:4 ). A proposal: 1 . Good. Commanded by God ( Proverbs 3:5 , Proverbs 3:6 ), recommended by the pious ( Genesis 25:22 ; 1 Samuel 23:2 , 1 Samuel 23:4 ; 1 Chronicles 21:30 ), approved by experience as indispensable for safety ( Jeremiah 10:23 ), and one that can seldom be neglected without loss ( Zephaniah 1:6 ), and even hurt ( 1... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:5

These four hundred prophets , as Keil justly notes, were not prophets of Ashe-rah, nor of Baal, but strictly of Israel, i.e. of the images of the calf ( 1 Kings 12:26-33 ). Their word speedily showed itself not the word of the Lord, but the word that was made up to order of the king, and to suit his known wish at any time. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:6

The Revised Version well at-ranges the words of this verse, "Is there not here besides a prophet of the Lord?" The conscience of Ahab successfully made a coward of him, that he took so quietly this pronounced slight put on his kingdom s prophets ( prophetae vitulorum ) by his brother-king Jehoshaphat! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:6-27

Speaking for God. We may take Micaiah as the type of the true prophet, i.e. of the man who speaks for God; he is not merely the man who has a vision of the future—that is the smaller part of his function; he is the one who is charged with a Divine message, and who faithfully delivers it, however it may be received. Thus regarding him, we learn that the spokesman for God must be— I. UNCONCERNED ABOUT NUMBERS . There may be "four hundred men" on one side ( 2 Chronicles 18:5 ... read more

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