2 Chronicles 18:5 kjv
Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.
2 Chronicles 18:5 nkjv
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" So they said, "Go up, for God will deliver it into the king's hand."
2 Chronicles 18:5 niv
So the king of Israel brought together the prophets?four hundred men?and asked them, "Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I not?" "Go," they answered, "for God will give it into the king's hand."
2 Chronicles 18:5 esv
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?" And they said, "Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king."
2 Chronicles 18:5 nlt
So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, 400 of them, and asked them, "Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?" They all replied, "Yes, go right ahead! God will give the king victory."
2 Chronicles 18 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| False Prophets & Deception | ||
| Deut 13:1-5 | "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams... let him be put to death..." | Test of a prophet. |
| Jer 14:14 | "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them..." | False prophets not sent by God. |
| Jer 23:21 | "I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with messages..." | Prophets acting on their own. |
| Ezek 13:3 | "Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit..." | Prophets prophesying from their own minds. |
| Mic 3:5-7 | "This is what the LORD says: 'As for the prophets who lead my people astray...'" | Prophets leading astray for personal gain. |
| Isa 30:10 | "They say to the seers, 'Stop seeing visions!' and to the prophets, 'Don't prophesy to us what is right...'" | Desire for smooth, pleasing words. |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits..." | Discernment of spirits. |
| Matt 7:15-16 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing..." | Recognizing false prophets by their fruits. |
| 2 Pet 2:1 | "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you..." | Warning against false teachers. |
| Acts 20:29-30 | "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you..." | Danger of internal false teachers. |
| Seeking Counsel & God's Will | ||
| 1 Sam 28:6 | "When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him..." | God's silence to a disobedient king. |
| 1 Kgs 22:7 | "But Jehoshaphat said, 'Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here...?'" | Jehoshaphat's discernment and desire for truth. |
| Prov 12:15 | "The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice." | Importance of good counsel. |
| Prov 15:22 | "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." | Wisdom in seeking counsel, but from good sources. |
| Isa 8:19-20 | "Should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead...?" | Seek the living God for counsel. |
| Psa 1:1 | "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked..." | Avoiding the counsel of the ungodly. |
| Consequences of Disobedience & Unwise Alliances | ||
| 2 Chr 19:2 | "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?" | Jehoshaphat rebuked for alliance. |
| 2 Chr 18:28-34 | (The death of Ahab) | Fulfillment of true prophecy. |
| Deut 18:20-22 | "But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded..." | Punishment for false prophecy. |
| Psa 78:36 | "But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues." | Lip service vs. true heart. |
| Zech 13:4 | "On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision..." | Future shame of false prophets. |
| Ramoth-gilead | ||
| 1 Kgs 22:3-4 | "The king of Israel said to his officials, 'Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us?'" | Context of Ahab's desire for the city. |
2 Chronicles 18 verses
2 Chronicles 18 5 Meaning
This verse describes King Ahab of Israel gathering four hundred self-proclaimed prophets to inquire about going to battle against Ramoth-gilead. These prophets, in unison, provided a favorable response, declaring that God (Elohim) would deliver the city into King Ahab's hand, thereby confirming his desired military action. This immediate, agreeable counsel contrasted sharply with true prophecy and served to validate the king's inclination rather than offering genuine divine guidance.
2 Chronicles 18 5 Context
This verse is situated in 2 Chronicles chapter 18, which parallels 1 Kings chapter 22. It immediately follows the narrative of King Jehoshaphat of Judah visiting King Ahab of Israel in Samaria and forming an alliance through marriage. Ahab proposes a joint military campaign to recapture Ramoth-gilead from Aram (Syria). Jehoshaphat, despite the alliance, expresses his custom of seeking the Lord's counsel before battle. This leads Ahab to gather his numerous prophets to appease Jehoshaphat's spiritual custom. The historical context reveals a period of shifting alliances and ongoing conflict between the northern kingdom of Israel and the Arameans, particularly over strategically important border cities like Ramoth-gilead. Ahab was a notoriously idolatrous king, heavily influenced by his wife Jezebel and promoting the worship of Baal, making it highly unlikely that he maintained a legitimate company of Yahweh's prophets. The "prophets" mentioned here likely functioned as royal sycophants, court officials, or perhaps even syncretistic prophets who mixed elements of Yahweh worship with Baalism to serve the king's agenda, or purely Baal prophets disguised to please Jehoshaphat. This scene sets up a critical theological confrontation between these four hundred false prophets and the lone true prophet of Yahweh, Micaiah son of Imlah.
2 Chronicles 18 5 Word analysis
- So he gathered together: Refers to King Ahab of Israel. This action demonstrates his initiative to seek a "prophetic" opinion, likely for legitimacy and reassurance rather than genuine divine guidance.
- of the prophets (נָבִיא, navi): The Hebrew word navi broadly means "spokesperson" or "one who calls out." While it is the standard term for a true prophet of God, in this context, these were not genuine Yahwistic prophets commissioned by the Lord. They were likely court prophets or those influenced by Baal worship who adapted their language. Their number (four hundred) suggests a well-established group, possibly state-sponsored. The overwhelming number emphasizes a false consensus intended to drown out any dissenting, truthful voice.
- four hundred men: This significant number represents a multitude, designed to project an image of undeniable, widespread divine endorsement. It contrasts sharply with the eventual lone, truthful prophet, Micaiah (v. 7-8). This large number would also serve to intimidate and validate the king's preconceived decision.
- and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear?: Ahab poses a direct military question, seeking a clear "yes" or "no." Ramoth-gilead (רָמֹת גִּלְעָד, Ramot Gil'ad), a city east of the Jordan River in the region of Gilead, was a key strategic point often disputed between Israel and Aram, indicating its military and political importance. Ahab was intent on retaking it.
- And they said, Go up; for God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) will deliver it into the king's hand.: The unanimous and affirmative response confirms Ahab's pre-existing desire.
- Go up: A military command, instructing the king to advance into battle.
- for God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This is a generic Hebrew term for "God" or "gods." While it can refer to the one true God, Yahweh, in this context of prophets allied with idolatrous Ahab, it's used deceptively or ambiguously. It could be a concession to Jehoshaphat's piety or a shallow, generic declaration by those who do not truly serve Yahweh, making their prophecy palatable while not truly binding.
- will deliver it into the king's hand: This is a classic prophetic formula promising victory, seemingly echoing the blessings and promises given by God in the past for His obedient people. The promise is made personal to the "king," validating his authority and leadership in this endeavor.
2 Chronicles 18 5 Bonus section
The concept of seeking "good" or "evil" prophecy for the king was part of the common practices in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms. Kings often had court diviners or seers whose role was to legitimize their decisions. The "prophets" here likely performed this function for Ahab, providing only palatable counsel. Their unanimous agreement points to a system of self-preservation and political convenience, where dissenting voices are suppressed or absent. The narrative in 2 Chronicles (and 1 Kings) subtly uses this scene to highlight the syncretism and apostasy within the northern kingdom of Israel, where even the language of Yahweh worship was co-opted for idolatrous and worldly ends. This assembly also contrasts with occasions when righteous kings sincerely sought the LORD through legitimate prophets or the Urim and Thummim.
2 Chronicles 18 5 Commentary
2 Chronicles 18:5 lays the foundation for the pivotal confrontation between truth and falsehood. Ahab's act of gathering these 400 prophets illustrates a superficial pursuit of divine counsel, aimed not at discerning God's true will but at receiving confirmation for a pre-determined military ambition. The sheer number of prophets creates an atmosphere of overwhelming affirmation, a seemingly undeniable consensus that feeds Ahab's hubris and serves as a facade for Jehoshaphat's satisfaction. However, the use of the generic "Elohim" by these prophets, as opposed to the more specific covenant name "YHWH" (the LORD) often used by true prophets, hints at the hollowness of their claims. Their unanimous, positive answer is precisely what Ahab wanted to hear, indicative of court prophets whose allegiance was to the king's pleasure and self-interest rather than to divine revelation. This verse underscores the pervasive nature of false prophecy in Ahab's kingdom, highlighting how easy it is to gather those who will flatter and affirm power, leading rulers away from true wisdom and into peril.