Bibelkommentare

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

Now Jehoshaphat had riches in abundance. — Stultitiam patiuntur opes. He was the worse for his wealth - as most men also are, - else he had not been so fond of this new affinity with Ahab. 2 Kings 8:18

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And after [certain] years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that [he had] with him, and persuaded him to go up [with him] to Ramothgilead.

He went down to Ahab to Samaria. — See 1 Kings 22:2 , in which chapter we have the same history related as here, not abridged - as is usual with this author - but at large; this much commendeth it unto us as necessary and profitable, since the Holy Ghost doth nothing in vain.

And Ahab killed sheep and oxen. — As to feast him and his retinue, so, haply, to sacrifice to the gods, as idolaters used to do when great strangers came unto them. Dido did so when Æneas came to her court.

“ Simul Aeneam in regia ducit

Tecta, simul divum templis indicit honorem. ” - Aeneid, lib. i.

Now Jezebel was Dido’s countrywoman, and had a great influence upon her husband Ahab.

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And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I [am] as thou [art], and my people as thy people; and [we will be] with thee in the war.

I am as thou art. — See 1 Kings 22:4 . Jehoshaphat was too facile. It was noted as a fault in Henry IV of France that he was aeque male ac bono reconciliabilis, of too good a nature, as we say of some.

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

Inquire, I pray thee, of the Lord today. — Yea, but this should have been done before he had engaged to go. Good Jehoshaphat is oft taxed for being smart too late. Few consider that it is better to stop or step back than to run on out of the way.

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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.

Four hundred prophets. — An ecumenical council. See on 1 Kings 2:6 .

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And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in [their] robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

Clothed in their robes. — And as the Septuagint have it, ενοπλοι , in their arms, that they might provoke the people to take up arms.

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And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king.

And all the prophets prophesied. — See 1 Kings 22:12 . With as much confidence as Jesuits offer to pawn their souls for the truth of their assertions, and tell us, that if we be not damned, they will be damned for us. Event, the master of fools, confuted these bold affirmers.

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And Micaiah said, [As] the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

Even what my God saith. — His God he calleth him, though he had suffered for God, and was like to suffer more for his veracity. He would not budge - as Ecebolius and other timeservers did - for any man’s pleasure or displeasure.

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