1 Kings 22 5

1 Kings 22:5 kjv

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

1 Kings 22:5 nkjv

Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire for the word of the LORD today."

1 Kings 22:5 niv

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD."

1 Kings 22:5 esv

And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Inquire first for the word of the LORD."

1 Kings 22:5 nlt

Then Jehoshaphat added, "But first let's find out what the LORD says."

1 Kings 22 verses

1 Kings 22 5 Meaning

1 Kings 22:5 records King Jehoshaphat of Judah's critical interjection to King Ahab of Israel, proposing a joint military campaign. Jehoshaphat asserted that prior to embarking on such a momentous undertaking, it was imperative to first seek and inquire concerning the counsel revealed in the word of the Lord. This verse demonstrates Jehoshaphat's foundational reverence for divine guidance, even as he found himself entangled in a compromised alliance with the notably wicked Ahab. It articulates the essential principle that God's revealed will serves as the paramount and preliminary step before making significant strategic choices.

1 Kings 22 5 Context

1 Kings chapter 22 recounts the final moments of King Ahab of Israel, detailing his fatal military campaign against Ramoth-Gilead. Prior to this, Ahab, despite his prolonged wickedness and promotion of Baal worship, seeks to enlist King Jehoshaphat of Judah, his recent ally through a marital pact, in a joint war effort. Jehoshaphat, despite generally following the Lord, had already given a seemingly full commitment in the preceding verse: "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses" (1 Ki 22:4). However, the gravity of initiating war, combined with his established piety, prompted him to insert a crucial condition. Recognizing the vital necessity of divine sanction, Jehoshaphat insists that they must "inquire first for the word of the Lord" before proceeding. This request directly sets in motion the dramatic spiritual confrontation where Ahab's multitude of false prophets contradict the single true prophet, Micaiah.

1 Kings 22 5 Word analysis

• But: (Hebrew: וַ, va) This seemingly simple conjunction functions as a subtle yet significant adversative, marking a pivot from the immediate agreement. It emphasizes a distinct change in Jehoshaphat's expression, signaling his primary conviction.

• Jehoshaphat: (Hebrew: יְהוֹשָׁפָט, Yehoshaphat) The name translates to "Yahweh has judged" or "Yahweh is judge." As King of Judah, he generally pursued righteousness and reforms (2 Chr 17), but his strategic alliance with Ahab of Israel proved to be a morally ambiguous and compromising choice.

• said: (Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyō'mer) A common Hebrew verb, signifying straightforward speech or declaration.

• 'Inquire first': (Hebrew: דְרָשׁ־נָא רִאשׁוֹנָה, derash-na' ri'shōnāh)

  • Inquire (דְרָשׁ, derash): This verb signifies to seek, consult, or investigate diligently, particularly in a spiritual context to discern divine will. It implies active and earnest searching for God's revealed message, often through prophetic consultation or studying God's laws.
  • first (רִאשׁוֹנָה, ri'shōnāh): This adverb emphasizes precedence and priority. It's not a suggestion to be carried out later, but a non-negotiable prerequisite. This word underscores Jehoshaphat's deep conviction that God's counsel must precede any major decision.

• for the word of the Lord: (Hebrew: לְדְבַר יְהוָה, le-dvar YHWH)

  • word (דְּבַר, devar): This term refers to God's specific utterance, message, or revealed decree. It implies divine revelation communicated by prophets, distinct from human opinion or conventional wisdom.
  • the Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the sacred, covenant name of God in Hebrew. Jehoshaphat sought counsel from the true, sovereign God of Israel, consciously setting this apart from pagan divinations or consulting other deities, which was prevalent in the broader ancient Near East.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But Jehoshaphat said, 'Inquire first'": This phrase marks a significant pause in the narrative's flow. It highlights Jehoshaphat's personal integrity despite his political alliance. Even after seemingly committing, he imposes a spiritual condition, prioritizing divine guidance above all else. This reveals a residual, powerful desire for God's approval.
  • "'Inquire first for the word of the Lord'": This declarative statement encapsulates the foundational principle that leadership and all critical decisions should originate from divine consultation. It explicitly states the urgency ("first") and the supreme authority and source ("the word of the Lord"), effectively rejecting reliance on human sagacity, military might alone, or any form of idolatrous divination common at the time.

1 Kings 22 5 Bonus section

The broader cultural practice in the ancient Near East involved consulting various omens, deities, or diviners before critical actions, especially warfare. Jehoshaphat's specific request for "the word of YHWH" (the Lord, Israel's covenant God) was a distinctive and theologically robust counterpoint to such pervasive pagan customs, including the Baal worship promoted by Ahab. It functioned as a subtle but direct polemic, affirming the unique authority and sufficiency of God's revelation. Furthermore, scholars often highlight the nuanced order of events: Jehoshaphat seems to agree to the war first, and then asks to inquire of the Lord. This detail underscores his moral compromise (already committing before seeking God) while simultaneously revealing his persistent, albeit imperfect, commitment to ultimately act in accordance with divine will. This dynamic sets the stage for the dramatic prophetic confrontation, demonstrating God's faithfulness to provide His true word even in compromised settings.

1 Kings 22 5 Commentary

1 Kings 22:5 encapsulates a critical moment of spiritual integrity for King Jehoshaphat amidst a compromised political alliance. His earlier declaration of full support to Ahab, "I am as you are," positioned him in a spiritually perilous partnership with Israel's wicked king. However, his subsequent insistence to "inquire first for the word of the Lord" serves as a beacon of his underlying devotion. This phrase is more than a polite suggestion; it reflects Jehoshaphat's profound conviction that God's will is the only true basis for any significant undertaking, especially warfare. The emphasis on "first" indicates that divine consultation should precede all human strategizing or commitments, placing God's sovereignty above political expediency. This contrasts sharply with Ahab's typical disregard for Yahweh's prophetic voice. The request indirectly exposed the reality of the kingdom's spiritual state, paving the way for the dramatic discernment between true and false prophecy. This passage remains a timeless principle: for the people of God, seeking His word and counsel must be the primary step in decision-making, reminding us to pursue God's wisdom actively through His revealed word, even when personal or political circumstances challenge our resolve.

Examples:

• When faced with a significant financial decision, seeking guidance from biblical principles of stewardship before acting.
• Before accepting a major career opportunity, a believer prayerfully considers its alignment with God's call and personal spiritual growth.
• A church committee planning a new outreach program prioritizes prayer and studying scripture to ensure their efforts are rooted in divine instruction.