mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 18.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.xix" n="xix" next="iiCh.xx" prev="iiCh.xviii" progress="83.40%" title="Chapter XVIII">
<h2 id="iiCh.xix-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.xix-p0.2">CHAP. XVIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.xix-p1">The story of this chapter we had just as it is
here related in the story of the reign of Ahab king of Israel,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.22.41-2Kgs.22.50" parsed="|2Kgs|22|41|22|50" passage="2Ki 22:41-50">1 Kings xxii.</scripRef> There it
looks more creditable to Ahab than any thing else recorded of him
that he was in league with so good a man as Jehoshaphat; here it is
a great blemish in the reign of Jehoshaphat that he thus connected
himself with so bad a man as Ahab. Here is, I. The alliance he
contracted himself with Ahab, <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.1" parsed="|2Chr|18|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:1">ver.
1</scripRef>. II. His consent to join with him in his expedition
for the recovery of Ramoth-Gilead out of the hands of the Syrians,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.2-2Chr.18.3" parsed="|2Chr|18|2|18|3" passage="2Ch 18:2,3">ver. 2, 3</scripRef>. III. Their
consulting with the prophets, false and true, before they went,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.4-2Chr.18.27" parsed="|2Chr|18|4|18|27" passage="2Ch 18:4-27">ver. 4-27</scripRef>. IV. The
success of their expedition. Jehoshaphat hardly escaped (<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.28-2Chr.18.32" parsed="|2Chr|18|28|18|32" passage="2Ch 18:28-32">ver. 28-32</scripRef>) and Ahab received his
death's wound, <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.33-2Chr.18.34" parsed="|2Chr|18|33|18|34" passage="2Ch 18:33,34">ver. 33,
34</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xix-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18" parsed="|2Chr|18|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 18" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xix-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.1-2Chr.18.3" parsed="|2Chr|18|1|18|3" passage="2Ch 18:1-3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.18.1-2Chr.18.3">
<h4 id="iiCh.xix-p1.9">Jehoshaphat's Alliance with
Ahab. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p1.10">b. c.</span> 897.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xix-p2">1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in
abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.   2 And after
<i>certain</i> years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab
killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that
<i>he had</i> with him, and persuaded him to go up <i>with him</i>
to Ramoth-gilead.   3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto
Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead?
And he answered him, I <i>am</i> as thou <i>art,</i> and my people
as thy people; and <i>we will be</i> with thee in the war.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xix-p3">Here is, I. Jehoshaphat growing greater. It
was said before (<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.5" parsed="|2Chr|17|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:5"><i>ch.</i> xvii.
5</scripRef>) that he had <i>riches and honour in abundance;</i>
and here it is said again that his wealth and honour increased upon
him by piety and good management.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xix-p4">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 him he joined in affinity,
that is, married his son Jehoram to Ahab's daughter Athaliah.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xix-p5">1. This was the worst match that ever was
made by any of the house of David. I wonder what Jehoshaphat could
promise himself by it. (1.) Perhaps pride made the match, as it
does many a one, which speeds accordingly. His religion forbade him
to marry his son to a daughter of any of the heathen princes that
were about him—<i>Thou shalt not take their daughters to thy
sons;</i> and, having riches and honour in abundance, he thought it
a disparagement to marry him to a subject. A king's daughter it
must be, and therefore Ahab's, little considering that Jezebel was
her mother. (2.) Some think he did it in policy, hoping by this
expedient to unite the kingdoms in his son, Ahab perhaps flattering
him with hopes that he would make him his heir, when he intended no
such thing.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xix-p6">2. This match drew Jehoshaphat, (1.) Into
an intimate familiarity with Ahab. He paid him a visit at Samaria,
and Ahab, proud of the honour which Jehoshaphat did him, gave him a
very splendid entertainment, according to the splendour of those
times: He <i>killed sheep and oxen for him,</i> plain meat, <i>in
abundance,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.2" parsed="|2Chr|18|2|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>.
In this Jehoshaphat did not walk so closely as he should have done
in the ways of his father David, who <i>hated the congregation of
evil-doers and would not sit with the wicked</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.26.5" parsed="|Ps|26|5|0|0" passage="Ps 26:5">Ps. xxvi. 5</scripRef>), nor desired to <i>eat of
their dainties,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.141.4" parsed="|Ps|141|4|0|0" passage="Ps 141:4">Ps. cxli.
4</scripRef>. (2.) Into a league with Ahab against the Syrians.
Ahab persuaded him to join forces with him in an expedition for the
recovery of Ramoth-Gilead, a city in the tribe of Gad, on the other
side Jordan. Did not Ahab know that that, and all the other cities
of Israel, did of right belong to Jehoshaphat, as heir of the house
of David? With what face then could he ask Jehoshaphat to assist
him in recovering it for himself, whose title to the crown was
usurped and precarious? Yet Jehoshaphat, an easy man, yields to go
with him: <i>I am as thou art,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.3" parsed="|2Chr|18|3|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Some men's kindnesses are
dangerous, as well as their society infectious. The feast Ahab made
for Jehoshaphat was designed only to wheedle him into the
expedition. The <i>kisses of an enemy are deceitful.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xix-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.4-2Chr.18.27" parsed="|2Chr|18|4|18|27" passage="2Ch 18:4-27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.18.4-2Chr.18.27">
<h4 id="iiCh.xix-p6.6">The Prophets Are Consulted. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p6.7">b. c.</span> 897.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xix-p7">4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel,
Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.1">Lord</span> to day.   5 Therefore the king of
Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said
unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I
forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver <i>it</i> into
the king's hand.   6 But Jehoshaphat said, <i>Is there</i> not
here a prophet of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.2">Lord</span> besides,
that we might enquire of him?   7 And the king of Israel said
unto Jehoshaphat, <i>There is</i> yet one man, by whom we may
enquire of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.3">Lord</span>: but I hate him;
for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same
<i>is</i> Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not
the king say so.   8 And the king of Israel called for one
<i>of his</i> officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of
Imla.   9 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah
sat either of them on his throne, clothed in <i>their</i> robes,
and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of
Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.   10 And
Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said,
Thus saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.4">Lord</span>, With these thou
shalt push Syria until they be consumed.   11 And all the
prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and
prosper: for the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.5">Lord</span> shall deliver
<i>it</i> into the hand of the king.   12 And the messenger
that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words
of the prophets <i>declare</i> good to the king with one assent;
let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and
speak thou good.   13 And Micaiah said, <i>As</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.6">Lord</span> liveth, even what my God saith, that
will I speak.   14 And when he was come to the king, the king
said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or
shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall
be delivered into your hand.   15 And the king said to him,
How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the
truth to me in the name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.7">Lord</span>?
  16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the
mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.8">Lord</span> said, These have no master; let them return
<i>therefore</i> every man to his house in peace.   17 And the
king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee <i>that</i>
he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?   18 Again he
said, Therefore hear the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.9">Lord</span>; I saw the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.10">Lord</span> sitting upon his throne, and all the host
of heaven standing on his right hand and <i>on</i> his left.  
19 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.11">Lord</span> said, Who shall
entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at
Ramoth-gilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another
saying after that manner.   20 Then there came out a spirit,
and stood before the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.12">Lord</span>, and said,
I will entice him. And the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.13">Lord</span> said
unto him, Wherewith?   21 And he said, I will go out, and be a
lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And <i>the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.14">Lord</span></i> said, Thou shalt entice
<i>him,</i> and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do <i>even</i>
so.   22 Now therefore, behold, the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.15">Lord</span> hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of
these thy prophets, and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.16">Lord</span>
hath spoken evil against thee.   23 Then Zedekiah the son of
Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said,
Which way went the Spirit of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.17">Lord</span> from me to speak unto thee?   24 And
Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go
into an inner chamber to hide thyself.   25 Then the king of
Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the
governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;   26 And
say, Thus saith the king, Put this <i>fellow</i> in the prison, and
feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction,
until I return in peace.   27 And Micaiah said, If thou
certainly return in peace, <i>then</i> hath not the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p7.18">Lord</span> spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye
people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xix-p8">This is almost word for word the same with
what we had, <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.22.41-1Kgs.22.50" parsed="|1Kgs|22|41|22|50" passage="1Ki 22:41-50">1 Kings
xxii.</scripRef> 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 <i>and enquiring at his
word,</i> whatever we undertake. Jehoshaphat was not willing to
proceed till he had done this, <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.4" parsed="|2Chr|18|4|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. By particular believing prayer,
by an unbiased consultation of the scripture and our own
consciences, and by an observant regard to the hints of providence,
we may make such enquiries and very much to our satisfaction. 2. Of
the great danger of bad company even to good men. Those that have
more wisdom, grace, and resolution, cannot be sure that they can
converse familiarly with wicked people and get no hurt by them.
Jehoshaphat here, in complaisance to Ahab, sits in his robes,
patiently hearing the false prophets speaking lies in the name of
the Lord (<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.9" parsed="|2Chr|18|9|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), can
scarcely find in his heart to give him a too mild and gentle
reproof for hating a prophet of the Lord (<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.7" parsed="|2Chr|18|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), and dares not rebuke that false
prophet who basely abused the faithful seer nor oppose Ahab who
committed him to prison. Those who venture among the seats of the
scornful cannot come off without a great deal of the guilt
attaching to at least the omission of their duty, unless they have
such measures of wisdom and courage as few can pretend to. 3. Of
the unhappiness of those who are surrounded with flatterers,
especially flattering prophets, who cry peace to them and prophesy
nothing but smooth things. Thus was Ahab cheated into his ruin, and
justly; for he hearkened to such, and preferred those that humoured
him before a good prophet that gave him fair warning of his danger.
Those do best for themselves that give their friends leave, and
particularly their ministers, to deal plainly and faithfully with
them, and take their reproofs not only patiently, but kindly. That
counsel is not always best for us that is most pleasing to us. 4.
Of the power of Satan, by the divine permission, <i>in the children
of disobedience.</i> One lying spirit can make 400 lying prophets
and make use of them to deceive Ahab, <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.21" parsed="|2Chr|18|21|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. The devil becomes a murderer
by being a liar and destroys men by deceiving them. 5. Of the
justice of God in giving those up to strong delusions, to believe a
lie, who will not receive the love of the truth, but rebel against
it, <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.21" parsed="|2Chr|18|21|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. Let the
<i>lying spirit prevail</i> to entice those to their ruin that will
not be persuaded to their duty and happiness. 6. Of the hard case
of faithful ministers, whose lot it has often been to be hated, and
persecuted, and ill-treated, for being true to their God and just
and kind to the souls of men. Micaiah, for discharging a good
conscience, was buffeted, imprisoned, and condemned to the bread
and water of affliction. But he could with assurance appeal to the
issue, as all those may do who are persecuted for their
faithfulness, <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.27" parsed="|2Chr|18|27|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>. The day will declare who is in the right and who in
the wrong, when Christ will appear, to the unspeakable consolation
of his persecuted people and the everlasting confusion of their
persecutors, who will be made <i>to see in that day</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p8.8" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.24" parsed="|2Chr|18|24|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>) what they will not now
believe.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xix-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.28-2Chr.18.34" parsed="|2Chr|18|28|18|34" passage="2Ch 18:28-34" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.18.28-2Chr.18.34">
<h4 id="iiCh.xix-p8.10">Ahab Slain in Battle. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p8.11">b. c.</span> 897.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xix-p9">28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the
king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.   29 And the king of
Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go
to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel
disguised himself; and they went to the battle.   30 Now the
king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that
<i>were</i> with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great,
save only with the king of Israel.   31 And it came to pass,
when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said,
It <i>is</i> the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him
to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xix-p9.1">Lord</span> helped him; and God moved them <i>to
depart</i> from him.   32 For it came to pass, that, when the
captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of
Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.   33 And a
<i>certain</i> man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of
Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his
chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the
host; for I am wounded.   34 And the battle increased that
day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed <i>himself</i> up in
<i>his</i> chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about
the time of the sun going down he died.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xix-p10">We have here, 1. Good Jehoshaphat exposing
himself in his robes, thereby endangered, and yet delivered. We
have reason to think that Ahab, while he pretended friendship,
really aimed at Jehoshaphat's life, to take him off, that he might
have the management of his successor, who was his son-in-law, else
he would never have advised him to enter into the battle with his
robes on, which was but to make himself an easy mark to the enemy:
and, if really he intended that, it was as unprincipled a piece of
treachery as ever man was guilty of, and justly was he himself
taken in the pit he digged for his friend. The enemy had soon an
eye upon the robes, and vigorously attacked the unwary prince who
now, when it was too late, wished himself in the habit of the
poorest soldier, rather than in his princely raiment. He cried out,
either to his friends to relieve him (but Ahab took no care of
that), or to his enemies, to rectify their mistake, and let them
know that he was not the king of Israel. Or perhaps he cried to God
for succour and deliverance (to whom else should he cry?) and he
found it was not in vain: <i>The Lord helped him out</i> of his
distress, by <i>moving the captains to depart from him,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.31" parsed="|2Chr|18|31|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>. God has all
men's hearts in his hand, and turns them as he pleases, contrary to
their own first intentions, to serve his purposes. Many are moved
unaccountably both to themselves and others, but an invisible power
moves them. 2. Wicked Ahab disguising himself, arming himself
thereby as he thought securing himself, and yet slain, <scripRef id="iiCh.xix-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.18.33" parsed="|2Chr|18|33|0|0" passage="2Ch 18:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. No art, no arms, can
save those whom God has appointed to ruin. What can hurt those whom
God will protect? And what can shelter those whom God will destroy?
Jehoshaphat is safe in his robes, Ahab killed in his armour; for
the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong.</p>
</div></div2>