2 Chronicles 18:19 kjv
And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
2 Chronicles 18:19 nkjv
And the LORD said, 'Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?' So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner.
2 Chronicles 18:19 niv
And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?' "One suggested this, and another that.
2 Chronicles 18:19 esv
And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said one thing, and another said another.
2 Chronicles 18:19 nlt
And the LORD said, 'Who can entice King Ahab of Israel to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?' "There were many suggestions,
2 Chronicles 18 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 22:20 | And the Lord said, 'Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall...' | Parallel account; divine inquiry. |
| 1 Kgs 22:21-23 | Then a spirit came forward... a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets... the Lord has put a lying spirit... the Lord has declared disaster... | The chosen agent (lying spirit); God's sovereign hand. |
| Prov 16:4 | The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. | God's sovereignty over all creation and outcomes. |
| Isa 45:7 | I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things. | God's comprehensive control over all events. |
| Amos 3:6 | Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it? | God as the orchestrator of calamities. |
| Lam 3:38 | Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? | All things originate from God's decree. |
| Rom 9:17-18 | For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up..." He has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills. | God's use of wicked rulers for His purposes. |
| 2 Thess 2:11-12 | Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth... | God sending deception as judgment for rejecting truth. |
| Rom 1:24, 26, 28 | Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts... gave them up to dishonorable passions... gave them up to a debased mind... | God's judgmental act of "giving over." |
| Ex 7:3 | But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart... | God hardening hearts for His divine plan. |
| Josh 11:20 | For it was the Lord's doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that he might devote them to destruction... | God hardening enemies for judgment. |
| 1 Sam 16:14 | Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him. | God using evil spirits for specific purposes. |
| Job 1:6-12 | Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. | Divine council concept, heavenly interaction. |
| Zech 3:1-2 | Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. | Divine council; heavenly beings interacting. |
| Ps 82:1 | God takes his stand in the divine assembly; He judges in the midst of the gods. | The Lord presiding over heavenly beings. |
| Isa 6:1-8 | In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne... Seraphim stood above Him... "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" | God in His heavenly throne room and commissioning. |
| 1 Kgs 21:20-26 | Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" He answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD." | Ahab's deep wickedness that necessitated judgment. |
| Jer 14:14 | The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them... | Warning against false prophecy. |
| Deut 18:20 | But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak... that prophet shall die. | Divine judgment on false prophets. |
| Prov 1:24-31 | Because I have called and you refused to listen... I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you... They desired none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way... | Consequences of refusing God's wisdom and warning. |
| Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Universal principle of divine justice. |
2 Chronicles 18 verses
2 Chronicles 18 19 Meaning
This verse provides a unique and profound glimpse into a divine council scene where the Lord initiates the plan for Ahab's downfall. God directly poses the question, "Who will entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?" The subsequent responses from various heavenly beings indicate a deliberation and the eventual authorization of a means to fulfill God's judgment upon the wicked king Ahab. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty and control over even seemingly deceptive or evil events, using them as instruments for His righteous purposes and the execution of His divine will.
2 Chronicles 18 19 Context
The setting for 2 Chronicles 18:19 is the narrative of King Ahab of Israel, one of the most wicked kings, aligning himself with the generally righteous King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Ahab desires to reclaim Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans (Syrians). Despite his unrighteousness, Ahab is persuaded by Jehoshaphat to consult the LORD. Ahab then gathers 400 false prophets, who unanimously declare victory. Unsatisfied, Jehoshaphat insists on consulting a true prophet of the LORD, Micaiah. This verse is Micaiah's prophetic vision, revealing what he saw in the heavenly realm: the LORD’s specific decree and plan to bring about Ahab's demise through deception via these very prophets. Historically, Ramoth-gilead was a contested border city, and Ahab's constant defiance of YHWH set him on a collision course with divine judgment.
2 Chronicles 18 19 Word analysis
- And the LORD said: (Hebrew: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה - va-yómer YHWH). This immediately places the scene in the divine, establishing the ultimate authority and sovereign decision-making of YHWH (God's covenant name). It is not a suggestion, but an authoritative query initiating a process that will lead to a precise outcome determined by God.
- 'Who will entice': (Hebrew: מִ֥י יְפַתֶּ֛ה - mi y'fattéh). The verb 'patáh' (פָּתָה) means to open, persuade, entice, deceive, or allure. In this context, it carries the strong sense of a deliberate, active luring into a destructive path. This isn't passive permission but a divine orchestration, even when it involves using means of deception, to bring about a righteous judgment. It highlights God's active involvement in His purposes, even through agents.
- Ahab king of Israel: The direct naming identifies the specific target of divine judgment. Ahab was notoriously wicked, a persecutor of God's prophets, and a promoter of Baal worship, justifying the severity of this divine decree against him.
- that he may go up and fall: (Hebrew: וְיַעֲלֶ֥ה וְיִפֹּ֖ל - v'ya'alēh v'yi'pōl). "Go up" refers to going into battle. "Fall" unequivocally means to die in battle. This phrase succinctly states the precise, predestined outcome of the divine plan: Ahab's death at a specific location, indicating meticulous divine providence over human destiny.
- at Ramoth-gilead?: This designates the exact geographical location of Ahab's judgment. It emphasizes the specificity of God's plan, where His decree will be executed, fulfilling prior prophecies of his death (cf. 1 Kgs 21:19-24).
- And one spoke saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.: (Hebrew: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר זֶ֜ה בְּכָ֣כָה וְזֶה֮ אֹמֵ֣ר כָּכָה֒ - vayómer ze b'chākhāh v'zeh omer kākhāh). This signifies the responses from various members of the divine council or heavenly host, each proposing a method for enticing Ahab. This mirrors scenes found elsewhere in scripture (e.g., Job 1, Zech 3), depicting heavenly beings serving God's purposes. It highlights that God does not act unilaterally but involves His heavenly court, further underscoring His sovereignty while delegating tasks. The varying suggestions imply deliberation leading to the eventual choice of a "lying spirit" (as revealed in the parallel 1 Kgs 22:21-22).
- "And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel...'": This word group establishes the absolute authority of YHWH. It frames the question not as uncertainty but as a deliberate inquiry to commission an agent for an already determined outcome. It highlights God's sovereignty over the free will of men and evil itself, shaping events for His righteous judgment.
- "...that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?": This group reveals God's meticulous and specific plan of judgment. It signifies the culmination of Ahab's wickedness leading to a precise, divinely ordained end. His path to death is set, even the location known to the Almighty.
- "And one spoke saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.": This phrase opens a window into the divine council. It depicts the participation of celestial beings who serve the Almighty's will. It also underscores that while there may be varied suggestions or methods, the Lord's ultimate decision prevails, demonstrating His ultimate command over His heavenly realm and the execution of His judgments.
2 Chronicles 18 19 Bonus section
The concept of a "Divine Council" or "Heavenly Assembly," where God presides over a gathering of celestial beings (often referred to as 'sons of God' or 'holy ones'), is evident here and in other scriptures like Job 1-2, Psalm 82, and Isaiah 6. This is not polytheism, but depicts YHWH as the supreme King, deliberating with and dispatching His celestial agents to carry out His will. The "enticing" by a "lying spirit" should be understood as a judgmental deception, not an ethical compromise on God's part. It's a righteous act against unrighteousness. Just as God "hardens" hearts (Ex 7:3) or "gives over" people to their depravity (Rom 1), He orchestrates the means by which judgment is justly executed upon those who stubbornly reject Him. The Chronicler’s account, written post-exile, often highlights the dire consequences of disobedience for Israel’s kings and underscores the reliability of true prophecy, serving as a cautionary tale for the rebuilding community.
2 Chronicles 18 19 Commentary
2 Chronicles 18:19 unveils a powerful scene from the divine throne room, central to understanding God's sovereignty over human affairs. This verse portrays God not as a passive observer, but as the active orchestrator of events, even when they involve the deception of the wicked. His question, "Who will entice Ahab?" demonstrates that Ahab's doom was already determined due to his persistent idolatry and wickedness. The various responses from heavenly beings confirm God's method of operation: He uses agents—in this case, a "lying spirit" operating through false prophets (as clarified in the parallel Kings account)—to bring about His preordained judgment. This is not God tempting man to sin (Jas 1:13), but rather permitting or dispatching a deluding influence upon those who have already chosen a path of unrighteousness and rejected the truth, thereby sealing their condemnation (cf. 2 Thess 2:11). The passage strongly warns that continued rebellion against God's Word and prophets will lead to inevitable and precisely executed divine judgment, often through means the unrighteous least suspect. It reinforces the vital importance of discerning between true and false prophecy.