1 Kings 22:4

And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I [am] as thou [art], my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

And he said {H559} unto Jehoshaphat {H3092}, Wilt thou go {H3212} with me to battle {H4421} to Ramothgilead {H7433}{H1568}? And Jehoshaphat {H3092} said {H559} to the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, I am as thou {H3644} art, my people {H5971} as thy people {H5971}, my horses {H5483} as thy horses {H5483}.

He said to Y'hoshafat, "Will you go with me to attack Ramot-Gil'ad?" Y'hoshafat answered the king of Isra'el, "I'm with you all the way; think of my troops and horses as yours."

So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat answered the king of Israel, “I am like you, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”

And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

Commentary

Context of 1 Kings 22:4

This verse sets the stage for a significant and ultimately tragic alliance between two kings: King Ahab of Israel (the northern kingdom) and King Jehoshaphat of Judah (the southern kingdom). Ahab, known for his wickedness and idolatry, proposes a joint military campaign to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead, a strategic city east of the Jordan River that had been lost to Syria. Jehoshaphat, generally a righteous king who sought the Lord, was visiting Ahab at the time, indicating a period of improved relations between the two Israelite kingdoms. Ahab's direct question, "Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead?", highlights his desire for Judah's military support in this venture.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Alliance and Solidarity: Jehoshaphat's immediate and unequivocal response, "I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses," signifies a complete pledge of solidarity and military commitment. It suggests a deep trust and willingness to combine forces without hesitation, expressing full identification with Ahab's cause.
  • Compromise and its Dangers: While seemingly a gesture of national unity, this alliance with the idolatrous Ahab represents a significant compromise on Jehoshaphat's part. It foreshadows the spiritual and physical perils that Jehoshaphat would face due to this ill-advised partnership. The narrative later reveals the divine displeasure with such alliances, as seen in Jehoshaphat's subsequent rebuke by the prophet Jehu.
  • The King's Authority: The verse demonstrates the absolute authority of the kings in their decisions regarding war and alliances, impacting their entire nation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses" is a powerful Hebrew idiom expressing complete identification and unwavering loyalty. It means, "We are one and the same; my resources are yours." This goes beyond a simple agreement to help; it's a declaration of shared identity and destiny for the purpose of this military campaign.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless cautionary tale about the company we keep and the alliances we form. Jehoshaphat, despite his personal piety, entered into a partnership with a wicked king, which ultimately led to significant trouble and near-death experiences (see 1 Kings 22:32). For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Discerning Partnerships: Carefully considering who we align ourselves with in business, friendships, or even ministry, ensuring that core values and spiritual principles are not compromised.
  • Seeking God's Will First: Though Jehoshaphat readily agreed, the very next verse (1 Kings 22:5) shows him asking Ahab to "inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD today." This highlights the crucial step of seeking divine counsel even after an initial commitment, a step that should ideally precede any major decision.
  • Avoiding Compromise: Understanding that even good intentions (like national unity) do not justify compromising one's faith or principles by aligning with those who oppose God's ways.
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

  • 2 Kings 3:7

    And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I [am] as thou [art], my people as thy people, [and] my horses as thy horses.

  • Ephesians 5:11

    And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].

  • 1 Corinthians 15:33

    Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

  • 2 John 1:11

    For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

  • 2 Chronicles 18:3

    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.

  • Revelation 2:26

    And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

  • 2 Chronicles 19:2

    And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore [is] wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
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