1 Kings 22:7

And Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

And Jehoshaphat {H3092} said {H559}, Is there not here a prophet {H5030} of the LORD {H3068} besides {H5750}, that we might enquire {H1875} of him?

But Y'hoshafat said, "Besides these, isn't there a prophet of ADONAI here that we can consult?"

But Jehoshaphat asked, โ€œIs there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?โ€

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we may inquire of him?

Commentary

1 Kings 22:7 records a pivotal moment during a military alliance between King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Ahab, seeking to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from the Syrians, had gathered 400 of his own prophets, who unanimously declared success for the venture. However, Jehoshaphat, known for his devotion to the LORD, sensed a lack of genuine divine counsel in their enthusiastic predictions.

Context

This verse immediately follows Ahab's consultation with his 400 prophets (see 1 Kings 22:6), who prophesied victory, likely telling Ahab what he wanted to hear. King Jehoshaphat, a righteous king who "walked in the first ways of his father David" (2 Chronicles 17:3), was present and astute enough to discern that something was amiss. His question reveals a spiritual hunger for authentic divine guidance, not merely political expediency or popular opinion. He sought a prophet who genuinely spoke for the God of Israel, distinguishing them from the court prophets who served the king's agenda.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Discernment: Jehoshaphat exemplifies the importance of discerning between true and false prophecy. Despite the overwhelming majority of 400 prophets, he recognized the absence of the LORD's true spirit.
  • Seeking Authentic Divine Will: The verse highlights the necessity of consulting God's true messengers, even when the truth might be unwelcome or contrary to human desires. Jehoshaphat was not content with a superficial blessing but sought the genuine word of the LORD.
  • Integrity in Leadership: Even when forming a political alliance, Jehoshaphat prioritizes spiritual integrity, demonstrating a commitment to seeking God's will above all else.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "prophet of the LORD" (Hebrew: nฤbรฎ' YHWH) is crucial here. Nฤbรฎ' refers to a prophet, one who speaks on behalf of another. The addition of "of the LORD" (YHWH, God's covenant name) distinguishes this prophet from those who might speak for other gods or merely from their own imaginations. Jehoshaphat specifically sought someone who was a true mouthpiece for the one true God, unlike the 400 prophets who were likely serving Ahab's interests or false deities.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Question the Consensus: Do not blindly follow the majority, especially in matters of faith or significant decisions. Seek God's truth, even if it's unpopular or comes from an unexpected source.
  • Discern Voices: In a world filled with many voices and opinions, it is vital to apply spiritual discernment. Does the counsel align with God's Word and character?
  • Prioritize God's Will: Like Jehoshaphat, we should desire God's genuine guidance above our own plans or the desires of others. This often requires patience and a willingness to hear uncomfortable truths, much like the prophecy given by Micaiah in the subsequent verses (1 Kings 22:17).
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 18:6 (2 votes)

    But Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

  • 2 Chronicles 18:7 (2 votes)

    And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same [is] Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

  • 2 Kings 3:11 (2 votes)

    But Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here [is] Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

  • 2 Kings 3:13 (2 votes)

    And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.