2 Chronicles 18:2

And after [certain] years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that [he had] with him, and persuaded him to go up [with him] to Ramothgilead.

And after {H7093} certain years {H8141} he went down {H3381} to Ahab {H256} to Samaria {H8111}. And Ahab {H256} killed {H2076} sheep {H6629} and oxen {H1241} for him in abundance {H7230}, and for the people {H5971} that he had with him, and persuaded {H5496} him to go up {H5927} with him to Ramothgilead {H7433}{H1568}.

After some years he went down to Ach'av in Shomron. Ach'av slaughtered sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramot-Gil'ad.

And some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria, where Ahab sacrificed many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him, and urged him to march up to Ramoth-gilead.

And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that were with him, and moved him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 18:2 recounts a pivotal moment in the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, detailing his ill-fated visit to King Ahab of Israel in Samaria. This verse sets the stage for a dangerous military alliance that would have significant consequences for Jehoshaphat.

Context

This verse follows 2 Chronicles 18:1, which states Jehoshaphat's great wealth and his marriage alliance with Ahab's family. Jehoshaphat, a generally righteous king of Judah who sought the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:4), made an unwise decision to forge a close relationship with Ahab, the notoriously wicked king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Ahab was known for his idolatry and opposition to God's prophets, particularly through the influence of his wife, Jezebel (1 Kings 16:33). The visit to Samaria, the capital of Israel, was marked by lavish hospitality, as Ahab "killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance," a grand feast designed to honor and, critically, to persuade Jehoshaphat to join him in a military campaign.

Key Themes

  • Unwise Alliances and Compromise: The primary theme is the peril of a godly leader forming a close association or alliance with an ungodly one. Despite Jehoshaphat's personal piety, his political and familial ties with Ahab led him into a compromising situation, blurring the lines between righteousness and wickedness.
  • The Power of Persuasion: Ahab's lavish hospitality served as a strategic tool of persuasion. The abundance of food and the warm reception were calculated to make Jehoshaphat feel indebted and amenable to Ahab's request to "go up with him to Ramothgilead." This highlights how material comfort or perceived friendship can be used to sway judgment.
  • Setting the Stage for Conflict: This verse directly leads to the conflict over Ramothgilead, a city in Gilead (east of the Jordan River), which was strategically important and often disputed between Israel and Syria. Ahab's desire to reclaim it becomes the central plot point for the rest of the chapter, with dire consequences for both kings.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "persuaded him" (Hebrew: wayyassฤ“thฤ“hลซ) implies more than simple convincing. It carries a nuance of enticement, seduction, or even leading astray. This suggests Ahab was not merely proposing an idea but actively manipulating Jehoshaphat through flattery and hospitality to gain his cooperation, underscoring the subtle dangers of such an alliance.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 18:2 serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of discerning the character of those with whom we form close associations, whether in business, friendships, or even family. While we are called to be in the world, we are not to be "of the world" (John 17:16). Compromising one's values for perceived gain, political advantage, or social acceptance can lead to spiritual peril and unintended consequences. It reminds us to seek God's counsel and wisdom in all our relationships and decisions, especially when faced with enticing offers that may lead us astray from His path (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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 Kings 9:1

    ยถ And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:

  • 1 Kings 1:9

    And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which [is] by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:

  • 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.

  • Nehemiah 13:6

    But in all this [time] was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

  • Isaiah 22:12

    And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

  • Isaiah 22:13

    And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

  • 1 Kings 4:13

    The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him [pertained] the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which [are] in Gilead; to him [also pertained] the region of Argob, which [is] in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:
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