2 Chronicles 18 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Jehoshaphat goes to war with Ahab against the Syrians. Ahab, seduced by false prophets, is slain.

Before Christ 897.

And Ahab killed sheep and oxen— That is, made a grand entertainment for him and his retinue; most likely in consequence of the affinity mentioned in the foregoing verse.

Go ye up, and prosper— The king's answer plainly shews, that he understood these words of Michaiah to be ironical.

REFLECTIONS.—1st, Jehoshaphat's growing greatness, probably, made the king of Israel desirous of his alliance; and Jehoshaphat too readily consented. An Israelitish princess seemed an eligible match for his son; and he might hope to make some advantage of it, by recovering the house of Israel to the service of God, or the kingdom to his posterity. The connection, however, proved dangerous to himself, and ruinous to his family. The first bad effect produced by it was, his involving himself in a war with the Syrians, in complaisance to Ahab, who, having nobly entertained him at Samaria, drew him in to be his auxiliary for the recovery of Ramoth-gilead. Note; (1.) Marriages founded on pride and worldly-mindedness cannot fail of bringing misery along with them. (2.) The strongest expressions of friendship from a wicked man are to be suspected; at bottom, he means to serve only himself.

2nd, For the account of Michaiah, &c. see 1 Kings 22. We may only farther remark, (1.) How needful it is to consult God in all our ways. (2.) When, for worldly ends, we maintain fellowship with those who are enemies to God, for fear of offending, we shall often hear what we dare not rebuke, and countenance by our presence what we are bound to condemn. (3.) Faithful prophets are few, false prophets numerous. It becomes us to beware of following the multitude, and to attach ourselves to the faithful few. (4.) They who love prophets that prophesy smooth things, and hate plain dealing, are justly given up to their own delusions. (5.) Suffering for the truth's sake, is the hereditary portion of God's ministers. (6.) The day is coming, when the despised word of God's prophets shall be fulfilled, and their enemies too late will wonder and perish.

3rdly, Ahab pretends to honour Jehoshaphat, but in fact intends to expose him; so deceitful are the kisses of an enemy: but God turns his wicked devices on his own head. Jehoshaphat, by divine interposition, escapes; while Ahab falls in his disguise; and his armour is no protection from the arrow that God shoots against the persecutors. Man in vain contrives to escape, when God hath determined his fall. There is neither counsel nor might against the Lord.