2 Chronicles 18 2

2 Chronicles 18:2 kjv

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 Ramothgilead.

2 Chronicles 18:2 nkjv

After some years he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria; and Ahab killed sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people who were with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead.

2 Chronicles 18:2 niv

Some years later he went down to see Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to attack Ramoth Gilead.

2 Chronicles 18:2 esv

After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead.

2 Chronicles 18:2 nlt

A few years later he went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great banquet for him and his officials. They butchered great numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle for the feast. Then Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to join forces with him to recover Ramoth-gilead.

2 Chronicles 18 verses

2 Chronicles 18 2 Meaning

2 Chronicles 18:2 describes a significant turning point in the reign of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. After an unspecified period of time, Jehoshaphat visited Ahab, the notoriously wicked king of Israel, in Samaria. This visit was met with an elaborate and generous feast hosted by Ahab, who slaughtered vast numbers of livestock for Jehoshaphat and his retinue. The underlying purpose of this lavish hospitality was not pure generosity but a calculated move by Ahab to persuade and entice Jehoshaphat into a military alliance to recapture Ramoth-gilead, a strategic city. The verse subtly highlights the danger of compromising righteous principles for political gain, showcasing how even seemingly benevolent gestures can be a trap leading to detrimental spiritual and physical consequences.

2 Chronicles 18 2 Context

Chapter 18 of 2 Chronicles opens with a direct lead from Jehoshaphat's generally prosperous and godly reign described in chapter 17. While chapter 17 praises Jehoshaphat for removing pagan altars, instructing Judah in the Law, and building up his kingdom, it notably concludes with the mention of his riches, honor, and a marriage alliance between his son Jehoram and Ahab's daughter. This verse (2 Chr 18:2) serves as the catalyst for the consequences of that unholy alliance. It directly sets the stage for the disastrous decision Jehoshaphat makes to join forces with the wicked King Ahab in a military campaign to reclaim Ramoth-gilead, a strategic city in Gilead that was long disputed between Israel and Aram (Syria). This alliance starkly contrasts with Jehoshaphat's previous reliance on the Lord and immediately precedes the confrontation between the true prophet Micaiah and the four hundred false prophets, culminating in Ahab's death in battle. The chapter therefore marks a moral decline for Jehoshaphat, initiating a period where his good intentions are often marred by ungodly associations.

2 Chronicles 18 2 Word analysis

• After some years: This phrase (מִקֵּץ שָׁנִים - miqqēṣ shanim) indicates a period had passed since the events of 2 Chronicles 17, particularly the marriage alliance that consolidated Jehoshaphat’s wealth and political standing. It suggests a time during which Jehoshaphat might have become comfortable in his prosperity, perhaps less vigilant spiritually. It's a subtle warning that complacency can set in after a period of success.
• he went down: (וַיֵּרֶד - vayyēręd) The verb "went down" implies geographical descent from Judah (Jerusalem/Judea being at a higher elevation) to Samaria. Spiritually, it also carries a sense of spiritual compromise or descent from Jehoshaphat's previously elevated walk with God, hinting at the regrettable nature of this visit and alliance.
• to Ahab: The name "Ahab" (אָחָאב - ’Āḥā’āḇ) immediately signals spiritual danger. Ahab was one of the most evil kings of Israel, known for his promotion of Baal worship (1 Kgs 16:30-33). This visit to such a king was inherently problematic for a godly king like Jehoshaphat, representing a stark moral contrast and foreshadowing negative consequences.
• in Samaria: The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, established by Omri and intensified as a center for Baal worship under Ahab. Visiting Samaria was not just a political journey but a foray into a heartland of idolatry.
• And Ahab slaughtered great numbers of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him: (וַיִּזְבַּח לוֹ אַחְאָב צֹאן וּבָקָר לָרֹב - vayyizbaḥ lô ’Aḥ’āḇ ṣōn ūḇāqār lārōḇ)
  • slaughtered great numbers: The verb "slaughtered" (וַיִּזְבַּח - vayyizbaḥ) often refers to ritual sacrifice, but here it's about feasting. The quantity "great numbers" (לָרֹב - lārōḇ) indicates a lavish feast, a grand display of hospitality, and perhaps opulence designed to impress and obligate. This "banquet" diplomacy was a common tactic in ancient Near Eastern politics.
  • sheep and oxen: The primary livestock used for food, signaling wealth and abundant provision.
  • for him and for the people who were with him: Ahab's hospitality was extensive, covering not just Jehoshaphat but his entire retinue, indicating a desire to ingratiate himself with all of Jehoshaphat's forces and support network.
• and induced him: (וַיַּסִּתֵהוּ - vayyassittēhū) This is a crucial verb. It's the Hiphil stem of the root סוּת (sut), meaning "to instigate, incite, persuade, entice, tempt, deceive, mislead." It goes beyond simple persuasion, suggesting a subtle, manipulative, or even insidious act of influence. Ahab wasn't just asking; he was using the feast and his influence to lure Jehoshaphat into an undesirable action. This highlights Ahab's active role in leading Jehoshaphat astray.
• to go up with him: "Go up" (לַעֲלוֹת - la‘alōt) implies ascending to battle or to a higher elevation, in this case, a military campaign. The alliance itself for war, rather than simply visiting.
• to Ramoth-gilead: A specific city east of the Jordan River in Transjordan. It was strategically important and a long-contested border city between Aram and Israel (1 Kgs 22:3). Ahab’s desire to retake it was politically driven, not spiritually motivated.

2 Chronicles 18 2 Bonus section

The narrative of Jehoshaphat's visit to Ahab has been interpreted by some scholars as a classic example of how sin can be seductive, appearing initially as an act of kindness or diplomacy before revealing its true, harmful intent. The opulence of the feast, designed to impress and obligate, contrasts sharply with the spiritual depravity of the host. This encounter highlights the insidious nature of bad company; even a king known for godliness can be drawn into compromising situations when the boundaries of association are blurred. The absence of an explicit divine command against the visit at the beginning further emphasizes that sometimes, sin begins not with outright rebellion but with a slow, gradual drift, driven by political considerations or familial obligations, making it all the more perilous. Jehoshaphat's readiness to associate with Ahab also suggests a lack of understanding of the severity of Ahab's idolatry, or perhaps a political naiveté that overestimated his ability to remain uninfluenced.

2 Chronicles 18 2 Commentary

2 Chronicles 18:2 encapsulates the subtle and dangerous nature of spiritual compromise. Jehoshaphat, a generally righteous king who initially focused on leading Judah in true worship, progressively allowed political expediency and familial ties to overshadow his spiritual discernment. The "going down to Ahab in Samaria" marks a metaphorical and spiritual descent. Ahab's lavish feast was not genuine friendship but a calculated strategy, a "table of devils" in essence, designed to trap Jehoshaphat. The key phrase "induced him" (or "enticed him") reveals Ahab's manipulative intent, demonstrating how the wicked use flattery, material offerings, and deceptive hospitality to lead the godly astray. Jehoshaphat’s participation in such an alliance was a violation of God’s commands to separate from pagan nations and a trust in human power over divine counsel. This single verse lays the groundwork for the ensuing narrative of prophetic confrontation, Jehoshaphat’s near-death in battle, and the subsequent divine rebuke, illustrating the profound consequences of allowing ungodly relationships to dictate one's actions, even with seemingly good intentions. The events demonstrate that success in life, unless grounded in vigilant faith, can lead to dangerous complacency and alliances.