Bible Chapter Summary
2 Chronicles 18 Summary
Jehoshaphat and Ahab's Ill-Fated Alliance
Jehoshaphat, now wealthy and honored, forms an alliance with Ahab king of Israel by joining affinity with him. Years later he visits Ahab in Samaria where Ahab feasts him and persuades him to go to war against Syria at Ramoth-gilead. Before battle, Jehoshaphat asks to inquire of the Lord's word. Ahab gathers four hundred prophets who all say to go up and prosper, but Jehoshaphat seeks a true prophet of the Lord. Reluctantly, Ahab brings Micaiah, whom he hates because Micaiah always prophesies evil. When pressed, Micaiah initially agrees with the false prophets, but when Ahab demands the truth, Micaiah reveals a vision of Israel scattered without a shepherd and the Lord's judgment. He further testifies that the Lord has sent a lying spirit into the false prophets to entice Ahab to his destruction. Zedekiah strikes Micaiah, and Ahab imprisons him. Ahab disguises himself while Jehoshaphat wears his robes, and in the battle a random arrow strikes Ahab between the joints of his armor; the battle intensifies and Ahab dies as the sun sets.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Chronicles 18:1-3
“Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead. And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.”
2 Chronicles 18:7
“And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.”
2 Chronicles 18:21-22
“And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.”
2 Chronicles 18:33-34
“And a certain 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. And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.”
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