1 Kings 22:44 kjv
And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.
1 Kings 22:44 nkjv
Also Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.
1 Kings 22:44 niv
Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.
1 Kings 22:44 esv
Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.
1 Kings 22:44 nlt
Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.
1 Kings 22 44 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 22:1-4 | For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel... | Sets scene for Judah-Israel alliance. |
| 2 Chr 18:1 | Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab. | Parallel account; explicit alliance with Ahab. |
| 2 Chr 18:3 | Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with... | Direct invitation for military aid. |
| 2 Chr 19:2 | "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? | Prophetic rebuke for the alliance. |
| 2 Chr 20:35-37 | After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king... | Further alliance with Ahab's wicked son. |
| 1 Kgs 11:11-13 | So the Lord said to Solomon, "Since this is your behavior... | God's promise to tear kingdom from Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 12:16 | So when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them... | Division of the united kingdom. |
| Deut 7:1-4 | You must not make a treaty with them or show them any mercy. | Warning against alliances with foreign nations. |
| Exod 23:32-33 | You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. | Prohibition of covenants with pagans. |
| 2 Cor 6:14-16 | Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. | New Testament principle against unholy alliances. |
| Ezra 9:1-2 | ...they have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands... | Israel's failure in marrying foreign women. |
| Isa 30:1-3 | "Woe to the rebellious children," says the Lord, "who take counsel... | Warning against relying on Egypt for help. |
| Hos 8:9 | For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone;... | Israel seeking alliances with foreign powers. |
| Pss 146:3-5 | Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. | Trusting in human alliances rather than God. |
| Jer 2:18-19 | What do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile... | Futility of alliances over trust in God. |
| Prov 13:20 | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm. | Principle of company shaping character. |
| Josh 23:12-13 | For if you ever go back and cling to the remnant of these nations... | Warning against intermingling with Canaanites. |
| Judg 2:1-3 | I will not drive them out before you; but they shall become thorns in your sides. | Consequences of not fully obeying God's command. |
| 1 Kgs 16:30-33 | Ahab did more evil in the sight of the Lord than all who were before him. | Defines Ahab's deep wickedness. |
| 1 Kgs 22:42-43 | Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign... | Preceding verses; details Jehoshaphat's reign. |
1 Kings 22 verses
1 Kings 22 44 Meaning
1 Kings 22:44 states that King Jehoshaphat of Judah formed an alliance and established peaceful relations with the king of Israel. This signifies a formal pact or covenant, rather than simply ending hostilities, indicating a political and possibly military understanding between the two kingdoms.
1 Kings 22 44 Context
This verse is part of the concluding summary of King Jehoshaphat's reign over Judah (1 Kings 22:41-50), an otherwise largely positive portrayal of a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord." However, it directly follows a more detailed account (1 Kings 22:1-40 and 2 Chronicles 18) of Jehoshaphat's military alliance with Ahab, the notoriously wicked king of Israel, against Aram at Ramoth-Gilead. Historically, after the division of the kingdom, the Northern Kingdom (Israel) often warred with Judah, and both frequently battled neighboring states. This specific alliance between Judah and Israel aimed to recover territory from Aram. Theologically, such alliances with idolatrous nations, especially a deliberately wicked king like Ahab, were contrary to Mosaic law and the covenant God made with Israel, which warned against intermingling or trusting in foreign powers rather than relying solely on Him.
1 Kings 22 44 Word analysis
- And: Hebrew: וְ (ve). A simple conjunction connecting this summary statement to the ongoing narrative of Jehoshaphat's reign, emphasizing a key action.
- Jehoshaphat: Hebrew: יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yehoshaphat). King of Judah, whose name means "Yahweh has judged" or "Yahweh has decided." He is generally remembered as a good king who sought the Lord (2 Chr 17:3-6), but his flaw was consistently allying with the idolatrous house of Ahab (both father and son). This demonstrates that even godly leaders can make grievous errors in judgment.
- made peace: Hebrew: וַיַּשְׁלֵם (vayyashlēm). This is the Hiphil imperfect form of the verb שָׁלֵם (shalem), meaning "to make complete," "to bring to an end," "to be at peace," or specifically "to make peace/treaty." It suggests establishing a formal, amicable relationship or an alliance, more profound than mere cessation of conflict. It implies a conscious effort to establish rapport, potentially for mutual benefit (like military campaigns or trade agreements), contrasting with the usual state of division between Judah and Israel. The term shalem relates to shalom (peace, well-being), implying an intention to secure stability and prosperity through this pact.
- with the king of Israel: This refers to King Ahab at this point in the narrative (though he dies shortly after in this same chapter). The phrase distinguishes him from the "king of Judah," emphasizing the two separate monarchies that emerged after Solomon. The "king of Israel" in this period consistently represents a line of kings who led the Northern Kingdom deeper into idolatry, making this peace treaty deeply problematic from a divine perspective.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "And Jehoshaphat made peace": This phrase, taken in conjunction with Jehoshaphat's character, highlights a central theological tension. While "making peace" sounds benevolent and wise, in this context, it was an act of compromise that jeopardized his kingdom's spiritual integrity. It implies an initiative on Jehoshaphat's part to establish a non-hostile, cooperative relationship.
- "with the king of Israel": This phrase pinpoints the identity of the "other party." It signifies not merely a neighboring kingdom but the northern splinter of God's covenant people, who had plunged into Baal worship and unfaithfulness. The alliance with this king, rather than any other, carried a distinct spiritual danger, as it facilitated mixing with grievous idolatry and worldly strategies rather than sole reliance on Yahweh. The theological message is clear: alliances based on pragmatic or political benefit, when they violate divine principles, can lead to disaster, regardless of a king's general righteousness.
1 Kings 22 44 Bonus section
- The peace treaty Jehoshaphat initiated with Ahab was likely cemented through a marriage alliance between Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram and Ahab's daughter Athaliah (2 Kgs 8:18, 26; 2 Chr 21:6), a common practice in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy. This particular alliance brought pagan influence and spiritual corruption directly into the royal house of Judah.
- The prophetic rebuke to Jehoshaphat from Jehu, son of Hanani (2 Chr 19:2), directly addresses this action: "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath is on you from the Lord." This underlines that even seemingly minor political decisions of kings were judged by God based on their adherence to covenant principles.
- This verse can be viewed as an example of an "unequal yoke" not just for individuals, but for a nation, showcasing the spiritual dangers and eventual political repercussions of compromising God's clear standards for a people set apart.
1 Kings 22 44 Commentary
1 Kings 22:44, a concise verse, reveals a pivotal, albeit flawed, action of King Jehoshaphat. While "making peace" sounds positive, this alliance with Ahab, king of the Northern Kingdom, represents a critical theological misstep for a king otherwise praised for his devotion to Yahweh. It reflects a dangerous tendency to prioritize political expediency over divine principles. Jehoshaphat sought stability or advantage through human alliances rather than full reliance on God, disregarding the clear biblical commands against unequal yoking with unbelievers (Exod 23:32-33; Deut 7:2-3). This "peace" led directly to a disastrous military campaign and Jehoshaphat himself nearly dying (1 Kgs 22:30-33; 2 Chr 18:31). This brief summary verse encapsulates the essence of a larger narrative of compromise, foreshadowing future negative consequences for Jehoshaphat and his lineage from these alliances (2 Chr 20:35-37). It serves as a caution that good intentions or general faithfulness do not negate the consequences of unholy alliances, highlighting the Lord's expectation of distinctness and uncompromising fidelity from His people.