1Ki 22:1-4 | Clarke | STEP | Jehoshaphat King of Judah, and Ahab King of Israel, unite against the Syrians, in order to recover Ramoth-gilead, . They inquire of false prophets, who promise them success. Micaiah, a true prophet, foretells the disasters of the war, . A lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets persuades Ahab to go up against Ramoth, . The confederate armies are routed, and the king of Israel slain, . Death and burial of Ahab, . Character of Jehoshaphat, . He makes a fleet in order to go to Ophir for gold, which is wrecked at Ezion-geber, . His death, . He is succeeded by his son Jehoram, . Ahaziah succeeds his father Ahab, and reigns wickedly, , . Verse 1 Three years without war - That is, from the time that Ahab made the covenant with Ben-hadad, mentioned . And probably in that treaty it was stipulated that Ramoth-gilead should be restored to Israel; which not being done, Ahab formed a confederacy with Judah, and determined to take it by force.

1 Kings 22:1-4

Introduction

Jehoshaphat King of Judah, and Ahab King of Israel, unite against the Syrians, in order to recover Ramoth-gilead, 1Kgs 22:1-4. They inquire of false prophets, who promise them success. Micaiah, a true prophet, foretells the disasters of the war, 1Kgs 22:5-17. A lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets persuades Ahab to go up against Ramoth, 1Kgs 22:18-29. The confederate armies are routed, and the king of Israel slain, 1Kgs 22:30-36. Death and burial of Ahab, 1Kgs 22:37-40. Character of Jehoshaphat, 1Kgs 22:41-47. He makes a fleet in order to go to Ophir for gold, which is wrecked at Ezion-geber, 1Kgs 22:48. His death, 1Kgs 22:49. He is succeeded by his son Jehoram, 1Kgs 22:50. Ahaziah succeeds his father Ahab, and reigns wickedly, 1Kgs 22:51, 1Kgs 22:52.

Verse 1

Three years without war - That is, from the time that Ahab made the covenant with Ben-hadad, mentioned 1Kgs 20:34. And probably in that treaty it was stipulated that Ramoth-gilead should be restored to Israel; which not being done, Ahab formed a confederacy with Judah, and determined to take it by force. Verse 4

Wilt thou go with me - We find that there was a good understanding between Jehoshaphat and Ahab, which no doubt was the consequence of a matrimonial alliance between the son of the former, Jehoram, and the daughter of the latter, Athaliah; see 2Chr 18:1; 2Kgs 8:18. This coalition did not please God, and Jehoshaphat is severely reproved for it by Jehu the seer, 2Chr 19:1-3.