2 Chronicles 18 4

2 Chronicles 18:4 kjv

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

2 Chronicles 18:4 nkjv

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

2 Chronicles 18:4 niv

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

2 Chronicles 18:4 esv

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

2 Chronicles 18:4 nlt

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

2 Chronicles 18 verses

2 Chronicles 18 4 Meaning

In 2 Chronicles 18:4, King Jehoshaphat of Judah directly addresses King Ahab of Israel, urging him to consult the Lord for guidance before they proceed with any military action. This plea emphasizes Jehoshaphat's commitment to divine wisdom over human strategy or political expediency, showcasing his core belief in seeking God's revealed will for significant decisions, particularly concerning war.

2 Chronicles 18 4 Context

Verse Context: This verse immediately follows Ahab's proposal to Jehoshaphat for a joint military expedition against Ramoth-Gilead. Jehoshaphat, despite having just formalized a questionable alliance through a marriage pact and stating "I am as you are, and my people as your people, and my horses as your horses" (v. 3), pauses at the brink of battle to insist on divine consultation. This highlights a momentary triumph of his spiritual conscience over political expediency or the momentum of the alliance.

Chapter Context: Chapter 18 details the unholy alliance between Jehoshaphat and the wicked King Ahab. It vividly portrays the tension between true and false prophecy, as Ahab's 400 prophets offer a flattering but deceitful word, while the true prophet Micaiah, at Jehoshaphat's insistence, prophesies disaster. Jehoshaphat's initial call for the word of the Lord in verse 4 is central to the unfolding narrative, which culminates in Ahab's death in battle, illustrating the grave consequences of ignoring divine warning and entering ungodly partnerships.

Historical Context: Jehoshaphat ruled the southern kingdom of Judah during a period of relative prosperity and piety (mid-9th century BC), largely walking in the ways of David. Ahab, his contemporary in the northern kingdom of Israel, was one of Israel's most wicked kings, known for promoting Baal worship through his wife Jezebel. The division between Judah and Israel had persisted for decades, making this alliance politically significant. Ramoth-Gilead was a strategically important city on the border with Aram (Syria) and had been contested territory between Israel and Aram for years. Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab, driven perhaps by political aims, went against the long-standing covenant principles that forbade such close ties with idolatrous rulers, ultimately earning him rebuke from God.

2 Chronicles 18 4 Word analysis

• Then Jehoshaphat said: The transition marker "then" (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyo'mer) immediately connects Jehoshaphat's response to Ahab's preceding invitation, indicating an immediate reaction. "Jehoshaphat" (יְהוֹשָׁפָט - Yehošafat), King of Judah, whose name means "YHWH has judged" or "YHWH judges," often exemplifies a king who sought the Lord, though not perfectly. His name paradoxically highlights God's judgment over the alliance he formed.
• to the king of Israel: This designation, instead of "Ahab," emphasizes the formal political and national distinction, and more importantly, the spiritual separation between the two kingdoms. "The king of Israel" (מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל - melek Yiśrāʾēl) at this time implies leadership over an apostate kingdom, given Ahab's promotion of Baal worship. Jehoshaphat, a devout king of Judah, addresses the leader of an idolatrous nation.
• "Please inquire: The Hebrew phrase "דְּרָשׁ־נָא" (drash-naʾ) is a polite but urgent imperative. The verb drash (דרשׁ) implies a diligent, seeking out, or careful investigation, particularly in the spiritual sense of seeking a divine oracle, instruction, or revelation. It's not a casual query but an earnest consultation, indicative of serious intent to discover divine will. The particle naʾ (נא) softens the command into a request or entreaty, "please" or "now."
• of the word of the Lord: This core phrase (אֶת־דְּבַר יְהוָה - ʾet-dᵊḇar YHWH) is foundational. "Word" (davar) refers to God's authoritative utterance, His decree, promise, or command. It embodies God's very will and truth made manifest. "The Lord" (יְהוָה - YHWH) refers to the covenant God of Israel, the one true God, distinct from any local deities or idols worshipped by Ahab. Jehoshaphat specifically calls for an inquiry of YHWH, acknowledging His ultimate authority and sole claim to truth, rather than relying on common sense, political wisdom, or false gods.
• today:" The adverb "הַיּוֹם" (hayyôm) adds urgency and specificity. It signifies that divine guidance is required now, before taking any action, emphasizing the immediate applicability and necessity of God's counsel for the specific situation at hand. It counters any temptation to rely on past revelations or to postpone seeking guidance until it's too late.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel": This phrase sets the scene of an interaction between two kings from divergent spiritual paths, highlighting Jehoshaphat's surprising readiness to associate with Ahab, yet retaining his distinction through this immediate request. It indicates a king who, despite entering a compromising alliance, still prioritized divine input for state decisions.
• "Please inquire of the word of the Lord today": This critical clause articulates Jehoshaphat's faithful impulse. It reveals his understanding that effective and blessed leadership is predicated on seeking and obeying the specific, current revelation of YHWH, not just generally acknowledging God's existence. It's a call for discernment between human wisdom and divine will, especially concerning matters of war and national destiny. This phrase acts as a prophetic statement in the context, foreshadowing the clear, unvarnished truth about to be spoken by Micaiah, contrasting with Ahab's preferred "good" but false prophecies.

2 Chronicles 18 4 Bonus section

• This narrative is notably almost identical to the account in 1 Kings 22, underscoring its significant theological message regarding divine sovereignty and true prophecy.
• Jehoshaphat's request for "the word of the Lord" implies a recognition that not all prophetic voices are authentic. This subtly challenges the king of Israel (Ahab) to differentiate between legitimate divine revelation and false divination.
• While commendable in its intent, Jehoshaphat's adherence to his alliance after receiving the negative prophecy (2 Chr 18:29) indicates a tragic flaw—knowing the right thing to do versus actually doing it consistently. His piety here serves as a saving grace in the battle itself (2 Chr 18:31-32) but does not negate the overall foolishness of the alliance.
• The phrase "the word of the Lord" signifies God's active involvement in human history and governance, speaking His will into specific situations, which kings and leaders are divinely mandated to consult.

2 Chronicles 18 4 Commentary

2 Chronicles 18:4 serves as a powerful testament to Jehoshaphat's fundamental commitment to seeking God's will, even when compromised by an ill-advised political alliance. His demand to "inquire of the word of the Lord" before engaging in warfare reveals a profound awareness that human strategies are insufficient without divine blessing and direction. This plea stands in stark contrast to the common practices of kings in his time who relied on their own counsel or consulted false gods. The immediate "today" stresses the urgency of integrating divine wisdom into contemporary decisions, making it not a mere religious formality but a practical necessity for governance and success. The verse highlights the vital principle that God's faithful people must seek and heed His voice, especially when facing critical choices or engaging with those whose ways are not aligned with Him.