Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance ,.... Still more and more, see 2 Chronicles 17:5 , and which moved Ahab to desire friendship and affinity with him, to which Jehoshaphat agreed: and joined affinity with Ahab ; king of Israel, married his son Joram to Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab by Jezebel of Zidon; which marriage proved of bad consequence to Jehoshaphat and his family. read more
Jehoshaphat had riches and honor - The preceding chapter gives ample proof of this. Joined affinity with Ahab - Took his daughter Athalia to be wife to his son Joram. read more
The purport of the verse is to let us into the secret that the riches and honour in abundance of Jehoshaphat were, in fact, the snare by which he was led to entangle himself with one who, probably only on that account, was willing to be entangled by affinity with him ( 2 Chronicles 21:6 ; 2 Chronicles 22:2-4 ; 2 Kings 8:25-29 ). It is not hard to see how they would both lead him, if not always out of big and patronizing thoughts, to seek and also lay him open to be sought. When... read more
Temporal advancement and spiritual decline. Writing the biography of Jehoshaphat from a purely religious standpoint, another conjunction than the one used might well have been employed. It might well be written, "Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, but joined affinity with Ahab." For the latter clause affirms that on which we can by no means congratulate the king. Yet such is the common course of things; such is the bent of the human mind and the way that circumstances... read more
The false steps of a good king. I. AN UNFORTUNATE ALLIANCE . Jehoshaphat joins affinity with Ahab ( 2 Chronicles 18:1 ). This refers to the marriage of Jehoram his son with Athaliah, Ahab's daughter ( 2 Chronicles 21:6 ), eight or nine years before. The date may be approximately determined thus. Athaliah's son ascended the throne of Judah at the age of twenty-two ( 2 Kings 8:26 ), not forty-two ( 2 Chronicles 22:2 ). But Jehoram his father reigned eight years ( 2 Chronicles... read more
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
The present chapter runs parallel with Kings, which it closely follows, only adding a few touches. read more
A.M. 3107. B.C. 897. Jehoshaphat joins affinity with Ahab, and consents to go with him to Ramoth- gilead, 2 Chronicles 18:1-3 . The false prophets promise them success, 2 Chronicles 18:4-11 . Micaiah foretels the death of Ahab, 2 Chronicles 18:6-27 . Jehoshaphat hardly escapes, 2 Chronicles 18:28-32 . Ahab slain, 2 Chronicles 18:33 , 2 Chronicles 18:34 . 2 Chronicles 18:1. And joined affinity with Ahab For Joram, his eldest son, married Athaliah, Ahab’s daughter. This chapter is,... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:1-3
Here is, I. Jehoshaphat growing greater. It was said before (2 Chron. 17:5) that he had riches and honour in abundance; and here it is said again that his wealth and honour increased upon him by piety and good management. II. Not growing wiser, else he would not have joined with Ahab, that degenerate Israelite, who had sold himself to work wickedness. What good could he get by a man that was so bad? What good could he do to a man that was so obstinately wicked?an idolater, a persecutor? With... read more