2 Chronicles 18:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee [that] he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?

Complete Jewish Bible:

The king of Isra'el said to Y'hoshafat, "Didn't I tell you that he wouldn't prophesy good things about me, but bad?"

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?”

American Standard Version:

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the king^{H4428} of Israel^{H3478} said^{H559} to Jehoshaphat^{H3092}, Did I not tell^{H559} thee that he would not prophesy^{H5012} good^{H2896} unto me, but evil^{H7451}?

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Commentary for 2 Chronicles 18:17

2 Chronicles 18:17 is a part of the narrative concerning the alliance between King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahab of Israel. The historical context of this verse is set during a period when the northern kingdom of Israel, under Ahab's rule, and the southern kingdom of Judah, under Jehoshaphat's rule, had formed a political and military alliance. This alliance was sealed by the marriage of Ahab's daughter, Athaliah, to Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram.

In the specific context of this verse, Ahab and Jehoshaphat are seeking counsel from prophets regarding a military campaign against Ramoth-gilead. Ahab has gathered a group of court prophets who are telling him what he wants to hear—that he will succeed in battle. However, Jehoshaphat, perhaps sensing a lack of genuine prophetic insight, asks for a prophet of the Lord to be consulted. Reluctantly, Ahab calls for Micaiah, a true prophet of the Lord, though he warns Jehoshaphat that Micaiah never prophesies good concerning him, only bad.

The theme of 2 Chronicles 18:17 revolves around the nature of true prophecy and the contrast between God's truth and the flattery or false assurances that kings and rulers might prefer to hear. Ahab's statement reflects his frustration with the unvarnished truth that Micaiah represents. It underscores the tension between political power and divine authority, as well as the human tendency to reject unwelcome truths. Ahab's words also highlight the importance of seeking and heeding divine counsel, even when it contradicts one's desires or plans.

Ultimately, Micaiah does prophesy Ahab's downfall in the upcoming battle, which Ahab chooses to ignore, leading to his death as foretold (2 Chronicles 18:33-34). This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of rejecting God's word and the importance of discerning true prophecy from falsehood. It also illustrates the challenges faced by godly leaders, like Jehoshaphat, when they find themselves in ungodly alliances.

*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: 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5012
   There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָבָא
   Transliteration: nâbâʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-baw'
   Description: a primitive root; to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse); prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2896
   There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טוֹב
   Transliteration: ṭôwb
   Pronunciation: tobe
   Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured).
   
7. Strong's Number: H7451
   There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַע
   Transliteration: raʻ
   Pronunciation: rah
   Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).