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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 22:1-14

Though Ahab continued under guilt and wrath, and the dominion of the lusts to which he had sold himself, yet, as a reward for his professions of repentance and humiliation, though the time drew near when he should descend into battle and perish, yet we have him blessed with a three years? peace (1 Kgs. 22:1) and an honourable visit made him by Jehoshaphat king of Judah, 1 Kgs. 22:2. The Jews have a fabulous conceit, that when Ahab humbled himself for his sin, and lay in sackcloth, he sent for... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 22:15-28

Here Micaiah does well, but, as is common, suffers ill for so doing. I. We are told how faithfully he delivered his message, as one that was more solicitous to please God than to humour either the great or the many. In three ways he delivers his message, and all displeasing to Ahab:? 1. He spoke as the rest of the prophets had spoken, but ironically: Go, and prosper, 1 Kgs. 22:15. Ahab put the same question to him that he had put to his own prophets (Shall we go, or shall we forbear?) seeming... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 22:29-40

The matter in contest between God's prophet and Ahab's prophets is here soon determined, and it is made to appear which was in the right. Here, I. The two kings march with their forces to Ramoth-Gilead, 1 Kgs. 22:29. That the king of Israel, who hated God's prophet, should so far disbelieve his admonition as to persist in his resolution, notwithstanding, is not strange; but that Jehoshaphat, that pious prince, who had desired to enquire by a prophet of the Lord, as disrelishing and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 22:41-53

Here is, I. A short account of the reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, of which we shall have a much fuller narrative in the book of Chronicles, and of the greatness and goodness of that prince, neither of which was lessened or sullied by any thing but his intimacy with the house of Ahab, which, upon several accounts, was a diminution to him. His confederacy with Ahab in war we have already found dangerous to him, and his confederacy with Ahaziah his son in trade sped no better. He offered to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:1

And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. From the time that Benhadad made a covenant with Ahab; not three full years, but part of them: it was threatened by Elijah from the Lord, that Ahab's life should go for Benhadad's, because he had let him, go, 1 Kings 22:42 , but because of his humiliation, as is thought by Ben Gersom and others, it was respited for those three years; and now an opportunity and occasion would be given for the fulfilment of what was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:2

And it came to pass in the third year ,.... Of the peace, before it was expired: that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel ; to Ahab, from Jerusalem to Samaria, reckoned thirty two miles F13 Bunting's Travels, &c.; p. 178. near 40, Rainold. Praelect. 31. col. 266. ; either to make peace with him, and put an end to the wars which subsisted between Israel and Judah since the division of the kingdom, 1 Kings 22:44 or to contract an affinity with him, by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:3

(And the king of Israel said unto his servants ,.... His nobles, those of his privy council, his ministers of state; or "had said" F14 ויאמר "et dixerat", Junius & Tremellius. , some little time before Jehoshaphat came: know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours a city of refuge beyond Jordan, in the tribe of Gad, and so of course must belong to the kingdom of Israel, of which see Joshua 20:8 . and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?) neither... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:4

This affair being lately canvassed at the council board, and very much on Ahab's mind, he puts this question to Jehoshaphat, his visitor, relation, and ally; wisely considering that his own forces were small, and that to have such an auxiliary might be of great advantage to him: and Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses ; meaning, that he and his soldiers, foot and horse, were at his service. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:5

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. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:6

Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men ,.... False prophets, as the Targum and Arabic version; and they are called Ahab's prophets, and not the Lord's, 1 Kings 22:23 perhaps these were the prophets of the groves, that ate at Jezebel's table, and were preserved when the prophets of Baal were destroyed, since the number agrees with them, see 1 Kings 18:19 . and said unto them, shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear ? which... read more

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