1 Kings 22:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

But Y'hoshafat said to the king of Isra'el, "First, we should seek the word of ADONAI."

Berean Standard Bible:

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”

American Standard Version:

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Jehoshaphat^{H3092} said^{H559} unto the king^{H4428} of Israel^{H3478}, Enquire^{H1875}, I pray thee, at the word^{H1697} of the LORD^{H3068} to day^{H3117}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Kings 22:5

1 Kings 22:5 is a verse set within the context of the narrative concerning the alliance between Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and Ahab, king of Israel. The historical setting is around the 9th century BCE, during a period when the Israelite kingdom was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Ahab, infamous for his idolatry and the influence of his Phoenician wife Jezebel, sought to reclaim the city of Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans (Syrians).

In this verse, Jehoshaphat, who is generally portrayed as a righteous king, is responding to Ahab's proposal for a joint military campaign. Before committing to the venture, Jehoshaphat insists that they seek divine guidance from the prophets of the Lord. His request, "Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day," reflects his desire for a confirmation from God that their military endeavor would be successful. This verse highlights important themes such as the importance of seeking God's will before making significant decisions, the contrast between the piety of Jehoshaphat and the impiety of Ahab, and the broader theme of prophecy and divine guidance in the face of political and military challenges.

The verse also foreshadows the tension between true and false prophecy, as the subsequent narrative reveals that Ahab's prophets, who are inclined to please the king, provide a favorable oracle for the campaign, while the true prophet of the Lord, Micaiah, initially sarcastically echoes the false prophets' words but then reveals the Lord's true message, which foretells disaster for Ahab. This episode underscores the dangers of seeking counsel that aligns with one's desires rather than the genuine will of God, and it serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring divine counsel in favor of human agendas.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3092
   There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהוֹשָׁפָט
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-shaw-fawt'
   Description: from יְהֹוָה and שָׁפַט; Jehovah-judged; Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem; Jehoshaphat. Compare יוֹשָׁפָט.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1875
   There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּרַשׁ
   Transliteration: dârash
   Pronunciation: daw-rash'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship; ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.