2 Chronicles 18:31 kjv
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
2 Chronicles 18:31 nkjv
So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him.
2 Chronicles 18:31 niv
When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "This is the king of Israel." So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him,
2 Chronicles 18:31 esv
As soon as the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "It is the king of Israel." So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God drew them away from him.
2 Chronicles 18:31 nlt
So when the Aramean chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. "There is the king of Israel!" they shouted. But Jehoshaphat called out, and the LORD saved him. God helped him by turning the attackers away from him.
2 Chronicles 18 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 34:6 | This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him... | God hears the cries of the afflicted. |
| Psa 50:15 | Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. | Invitation to call upon God for deliverance. |
| Jer 33:3 | Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things... | God's promise to answer prayer. |
| Lam 3:55-58 | I called on Your name, O LORD, From the depths of the pit... You heard my voice... You drew near... You redeemed... | Personal experience of crying out and God's help. |
| Psa 91:15 | He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him... | God's steadfast presence and deliverance in trouble. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you... | Divine assurance of help and strength. |
| Deut 33:26 | There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to your help... | God as a helper and protector. |
| Psa 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. | God as immediate help in distress. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. | Access to divine grace for timely help. |
| 2 Chr 19:2 | ...Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore wrath is upon you... | Consequence for Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab. |
| Psa 118:6 | The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? | Trust in God's help overcoming fear. |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. | Contrast between human might and divine power. |
| Psa 33:16-17 | No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength... | God's sovereignty over military outcomes. |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help... and do not look to the Holy One of Israel... | Warning against relying on human alliances over God. |
| Exo 14:14 | The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. | God's direct intervention in battle. |
| 2 Kgs 19:14-19 | Hezekiah's prayer for deliverance from Sennacherib, acknowledging God's unique power. | A king's desperate prayer answered by God. |
| Isa 37:15-20 | Hezekiah's prayer and God's subsequent swift action against the Assyrians. | God's immediate response to faithful prayer. |
| Psa 105:14-15 | He suffered no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes... | God protecting His anointed from harm. |
| Psa 37:28 | For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever... | Divine preservation of the righteous. |
| Gen 50:20 | But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good... | God's ability to turn evil intentions for good. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God... | Divine providence working all things for good. |
| Phil 2:13 | for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. | God's active work in people's lives and actions. |
| Psa 3:8 | Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing be upon Your people. | Ultimate source of deliverance and blessing. |
2 Chronicles 18 verses
2 Chronicles 18 31 Meaning
2 Chronicles 18:31 recounts a pivotal moment during the battle of Ramoth-gilead, where King Jehoshaphat of Judah, mistakenly identified as King Ahab of Israel due to Ahab's disguise, becomes the primary target of enemy chariot captains. In this dire predicament, Jehoshaphat cries out to the Lord for help, and God intervenes decisively, causing the attackers to withdraw from him, thereby preserving his life. The verse highlights divine protection and providence in a moment of extreme peril.
2 Chronicles 18 31 Context
2 Chronicles Chapter 18 details the ill-fated alliance between King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahab of Israel, aimed at reclaiming Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans. Despite the prophet Micaiah's dire warnings, which explicitly prophesied Ahab's death in battle, Ahab disguises himself, but Jehoshaphat goes into battle in his royal robes. This specific verse (v.31) occurs as the battle intensifies. The Aramean charioteers had been given a direct order by their king to target only the king of Israel. Upon seeing Jehoshaphat in his regal attire, they mistakenly believe him to be Ahab and surround him to kill him. Historically, it was common strategy in ancient warfare to target enemy leadership to break morale. This scene emphasizes Jehoshaphat's perilous situation and highlights God's intervention, setting a powerful precedent for God's protection of His faithful despite their flawed alliances.
2 Chronicles 18 31 Word analysis
- For it came to pass, when: A common Hebrew literary connective phrase (וַיְהִי wa·yə·hî), often introducing a significant event or turning point in the narrative. It emphasizes divine orchestration or natural progression of events.
- the captains of the chariots: Refers to the elite, specialized military unit focused on engaging high-value targets. Chariots were ancient tanks, representing significant military might. Their specific orders were to target only the king, underscoring the severity of Jehoshaphat's misidentification.
- saw Jehoshaphat: Jehoshaphat was in his royal robes, visibly appearing as a king, contrasting with Ahab who was disguised (2 Chr 18:29). This visual distinction was key to the mistaken identity.
- that they said, "It is the king of Israel": A crucial error. Jehoshaphat was King of Judah. This mistake by the enemy directly stems from Ahab's disguise and indirectly puts Jehoshaphat in mortal danger. It is the immediate cause of his entrapment.
- therefore they compassed about him to fight: "Compassed about" (נָסַב nāṣab) means to surround, enclose, or encamp around. It conveys an overwhelming and aggressive encirclement, indicating an intent to quickly neutralize the perceived threat.
- but Jehoshaphat cried out: (וַיִּזְעַק wayyiz‘aq from זָעַק za'aq). This Hebrew word signifies a loud, desperate cry for help, often used in moments of extreme distress, injustice, or danger. It's a spontaneous appeal to a higher power, showing utter helplessness in human terms. It suggests prayer borne out of true desperation, not mere discomfort.
- and the LORD helped him; (וַיהוָה עֲזָרוֹ waYahweh ‘azārō from עָזַר ‘azar). Direct, immediate divine intervention. "The LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes God's covenant name, signifying His faithful and personal relationship with His people. God responds directly to the cry.
- and God moved them to depart from him: (וַיְסִיתֵם אֱלֹהִים מֵעָלָיו wayyasīthem ’ĕlōhîm mê‘âlâw). The verb "moved" (from סוּת sût) can mean to turn aside, incite, or persuade. Here, it implies God divinely influenced the enemy soldiers, causing them to suddenly and supernaturally turn away from Jehoshaphat. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over human actions and battle outcomes, redirecting enemy intent. It's not a change of heart by the soldiers, but an active, divine deflection.
2 Chronicles 18 31 Bonus section
The Chronicler's account of this event specifically emphasizes God's direct, personal intervention. While Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, dies precisely as prophesied, despite his attempts to thwart destiny through disguise (2 Chr 18:33), Jehoshaphat, the king who walks with the Lord, is preserved by a specific, dramatic act of God. This narrative contrast underscores a core Chronicler's theme: immediate retribution for the wicked and immediate reward/protection for the righteous, even when the latter momentarily stray from God's perfect path. It beautifully illustrates God's grace and longsuffering toward those who seek Him. This incident also showcases the reality that human schemes and battlefield strategies are ultimately subject to divine sovereignty; God can use apparent errors (like the misidentification) or natural events to accomplish His purpose and protect His own.
2 Chronicles 18 31 Commentary
2 Chronicles 18:31 is a vivid demonstration of God's sovereign providence and His attentiveness to the cry of His servant. Despite Jehoshaphat's unwise alliance with wicked Ahab—a decision for which he would later be rebuked (2 Chr 19:2)—God intervenes miraculously. The mistaken identity, intended to ensure Ahab's survival through disguise, ironically places Jehoshaphat in mortal danger, yet becomes the very mechanism through which divine intervention is made manifest. Jehoshaphat's desperate cry (a verb often signifying an urgent plea from deep distress) immediately draws God's attention. This powerful divine act of "moving them to depart" reveals God's control even over the hearts and actions of an enemy in the midst of battle. It serves as a profound testimony to God's unfailing commitment to preserve His chosen, not always because of their perfect wisdom, but often in response to their humble plea for help.