1 Kings 22:30-33

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:30

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle ,.... Change his clothes, his royal robes, and put on others, perhaps the habit of a common soldier; having, it may be, been informed by some deserters or spies, of the design of Benhadad against him. Abarbinel thinks the meaning is, that he would clothe himself with a coat of mail, and take to him the each of the instruments of war, and so go into the battle secure; this seems probable from 1... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:31

But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had the rule over his chariots ,.... This was the number of his kings in the first battle with Israel, and of his captains in the second, 1 Kings 20:1 , and the same number he had now, being very probably not only the number of his chariots, but the division of his army was into so many battalions, under the command of these captains of chariots: saying, fight neither with small nor great ; of those that belonged to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:32

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat ,.... In his royal robes: that they said, surely it is the king of Israel ; for they might not know the persons either of Ahab or him, but judged by his habit: and they turned aside to fight against him ; pressed upon him with all their force, either to take him or slay him: and Jehoshaphat cried out ; with a loud voice, either to the captains to let them know who he was, or to his men to come to his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 22:33

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel ,.... Against whom only their orders were to fight: that they turned back from pursuing him ; for upon so great a force coming upon him he could not withstand, he fled. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 22:30

I will disguise myself - Probably he had heard of the orders given by Ben-hadad to his thirty-two captains, to fight with the king of Israel only; that is, to make their most powerful attack where he commanded, in order to take him prisoner, that he might lead him captive whose captive he formerly was; and therefore he disguised himself that he might not be known. But put thou on thy robes - What is meant by this? He could not mean, "Appear as the king of Judah, for they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 22:1-40

The Death of Ahab and the Defeat of Israel. This chapter is almost entirely occupied with an account of the death of Ahab, and of the circumstances which preceded and attended it. The earlier portion of the chapter, which contains the prophesyings of the false prophets and the vision of Micaiah, is only recorded because of its bearing on the death of the king, and the dispersion of his army. And the prominence accorded to Ahab's end only corresponds with the space assigned to his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 22:29-40

The Certainty of God's Threatenings. I. AHAB 'S ATTEMPT TO ELUDE THE DIVINE VENGEANCE . 1 . His apprehension of coming evil . If Micaiah's words were not the words of God, why should he take precautions? His heart gives the lie to his own unbelief; the words cling to him. The bold refusal to listen to God's word is no assurance that the soul will not afterwards be shaken by a fearful looking for of judgment. 2 . His ungenerousness ( 1 Kings 22:30 ). "I will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 22:30

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoahaphat [At Ramoth-Gilead, on the eve of the battle], I will disguise himself." [same word 1 Kings 20:38 ] and enter [The margin," when he was to disguise himself," etc; is quite mistaken. The Hebrew has two infinitives; lit; to disguise oneself and enter; a construction which is frequently employed to indicate an absolute command. Cf. Genesis 17:10 ; Exodus 20:8 ; Isaiah 14:31 ; and see Ewald, 828 c. "The infinitive absolute is the plainest... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 22:30-38

Lessons of the Battle. After disposing of Micaiah by sending him to prison with hard fare as the reward of his faithfulness, Ahab and Jehoshaphat gathered their forces and set out together to fight for the recovery of Ramoth-Gilead. The events of the day show— I. THAT PROPHECY MAY TEND TO ITS OWN FULFILMENT . 1 . Micaiah ' s words influenced Ahab ' s conduct . (a) Note the subtlety of the wicked. Ahab's proposal to Jehoshaphat was ostensibly to give him... read more

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