2 Chronicles 18

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18

XVIII.JEHOSHAPHAT MAKES AFFINITY WITH AHAB, AND TAKES PART IN THE SYRIAN WAR AT RAMOTH-GLLEAD.Comp. 1 Kings 22:2-35. Only the introduction of the narrative (2 Chronicles 18:1-2) differs from that of Kings—a change necessitated by the fact that the chronicler is writing the history, not of Ahab, but of Jehoshaphat. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:1

(1) Now Jehoshaphat had.—And Jehoshaphat got.Riches and honour in abundance.—Repeated from 2 Chronicles 17:5.And joined affinity with Ahab.—He married his son Jehoram to Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Chronicles 21:6; 1 Kings 18:8). The high degree of prosperity to which the king of Judah had attained is indicated by the fact that so powerful a monarch as Ahab entered into such an intimate connection with him. (The vav of the second clause is not adversative, as Zöckler asserts, but... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:2

(2) And after certain years.—See margin. 1 Kings 22:2 has: “And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat went down,” &c.—a date which is relative to the three years’ truce between Syria and Israel mentioned in the preceding verse. From 1 Kings 22:51 of the same chapter we learn that this visit took place in the sixteenth or seventeenth year of the reign of Jehoshaphat. The marriage of Jehoram and Athaliah preceded the visit by eight or nine years. (Syriac and Arabic, “and after... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:3

(3) And Ahab king of Israel.—This verse is essentially the same as 1 Kings 22:4. From this point the two narratives practically coincide. (See the Notes on 1 Kings 22:0)To Ramoth-gilead—i.e., Ramoth of, or in, Gilead. Ramoth (“heights”), or Ramath or Ramah (“height”), was a common name in such a hilly country as Palestine. Kings adds, to the war.And my people . . . in the war—The symmetry of this part of the verse has been disregarded by the chronicler, in order to make Jehoshaphat express an... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:4

(4) And Jehoshaphat.—So exactly 1 Kings 22:5.Enquire . . . at the word.—Seek the word. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:5

(5) Therefore.—And.Of prophets.—Rather, the prophets.Four hundred.—Kings, “About four hundred.” Also’ Adonai (“the Lord”), instead of ha’elôhîm (“the [true] God”); and “I go against” for “we go to,” where the former is obviously more appropriate. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:6

(6) But—And. So 1 Kings 22:7, literally. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:7

(7) He never prophesied good unto me, but always evil.—Literally, He is not prophesying to me for good, but all his days for evil. Kings: “He prophesieth not to me good but evil.” The chronicler has aggravated the idea of opposition, by adding “all his days;” i.e., throughout his prophetic career. (Comp. Homer, Iliad, i. 106.)Micaiah.—Heb., Mîkâyĕhû, which presupposes an older Mîkăyăhû (“Who like Iahu?”). Iahu is in all probability the oldest form of the Divine Name, Iah being an abridgment of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:8

(8) Called for one of his officers.—Literally, Called to a eunuch. (See on 1 Chronicles 28:1.)Micaiah—Hebrew text, Mîkâhû, a contracted form. The Hebrew margin substitutes the usual spelling. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:9

(9) And the king of Israel . . . sat either of them on his throne.—Rather, Now the king of Israel . . . were sitting each on his throne.Clothed in their robes.—The pronoun, which is indispensable if this be the meaning, is wanting in the Hebrew. The Syriac has probably preserved the original reading: “Clothed in raiment spotted white and black.” (Vid. infr.)And they sat.—Were sitting. Explanatory addition by chronicler.A void place.—A threshingfloor. LXX., ἐν τῷ εὐρυχώρῳ, “in the open ground;”... read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:3

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:6

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:7

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:8

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Chronicles 18:9

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands