1 Kings 22:32

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it [is] the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

And it came to pass, when the captains {H8269} of the chariots {H7393} saw {H7200} Jehoshaphat {H3092}, that they said {H559}, Surely it is the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}. And they turned aside {H5493} to fight {H3898} against him: and Jehoshaphat {H3092} cried out {H2199}.

So when the chariot commanders saw Y'hoshafat they said, "This must be the king of Isra'el," and turned to attack him. But Y'hoshafat gave a yell,

When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Surely this is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out.

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel; and they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

Commentary

1 Kings 22:32 describes a critical moment during the Battle of Ramoth-Gilead, highlighting King Jehoshaphat of Judah's perilous situation and God's providential intervention.

Context

This verse is set during a military campaign where King Ahab of Israel, despite prophetic warnings from Micaiah (1 Kings 22:28), allied with King Jehoshaphat of Judah to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from the Arameans (Syrians). Ahab, fearing the prophet's words, cunningly disguised himself as a common soldier, while urging Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes (1 Kings 22:30). The Aramean king had specifically commanded his thirty-two chariot captains to target the king of Israel, not any other soldier.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection: The most significant theme is God's miraculous protection over Jehoshaphat. Despite being in a dangerous position due to an unwise alliance, God intervened to save him from certain death. This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they err.
  • Mistaken Identity: The Aramean captains, seeing Jehoshaphat in his royal attire, mistakenly believed he was Ahab, the king of Israel. This error in judgment by the enemy forces created the immediate threat.
  • Jehoshaphat's Cry: His immediate reaction, "Jehoshaphat cried out," signifies a desperate appeal. While the text doesn't explicitly state he cried out to God in this verse, the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 18:31 confirms that the Lord helped him and moved the captains to turn away. This cry was likely a prayer for divine assistance in a moment of extreme peril.
  • Consequences of Unwise Alliances: Jehoshaphat's life was put in grave danger because of his association with wicked King Ahab. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of choosing godly associations and avoiding compromising relationships.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "cried out" translates the Hebrew word za'aq (זָעַק), which often denotes a desperate cry for help, a shout of distress, or a fervent prayer to God in a time of trouble. It implies a recognition of utter helplessness and a turning to a higher power for deliverance, much like the psalmist's cry in Psalm 18:6.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  • God's Sovereign Hand: Even in chaotic and dangerous situations, God remains in control, orchestrating events for His purposes and the protection of His people.
  • The Power of Prayer: Jehoshaphat's cry underscores the immediate and effective power of prayer, especially when we feel overwhelmed and helpless. God hears and responds to the desperate pleas of His children.
  • Discerning Relationships: The narrative serves as a reminder to be discerning about our alliances and associations, as they can lead us into situations of spiritual or physical danger.
  • Trust in God's Deliverance: When facing unexpected threats or mistaken accusations, we can trust that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). The subsequent verse, 1 Kings 22:33, shows the immediate result of God's intervention.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 13:20 (4 votes)

    ¶ He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

  • Jonah 2:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,

  • Jonah 2:2 (4 votes)

    And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, [and] thou heardest my voice.

  • 2 Chronicles 18:31 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It [is] the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them [to depart] from him.

  • Psalms 116:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications.

  • Psalms 116:2 (2 votes)

    Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.

  • Psalms 91:15 (2 votes)

    He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.