2 Chronicles 18:29

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.

And the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} said {H559} unto Jehoshaphat {H3092}, I will disguise {H2664} myself, and will go {H935} to the battle {H4421}; but put {H3847} thou on thy robes {H899}. So the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} disguised {H2664} himself; and they went {H935} to the battle {H4421}.

The king of Isra'el said to Y'hoshafat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you, put on your robes." So the king of Isra'el disguised himself and went into battle.

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, โ€œI will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.โ€ So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 18:29 recounts a pivotal moment before the fateful battle at Ramoth-gilead, highlighting King Ahab of Israel's attempt to circumvent divine prophecy and King Jehoshaphat of Judah's participation in an ill-advised alliance.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of King Ahab's desire to recapture Ramoth-gilead from the Syrians. Prior to this, the prophet Micaiah, at Jehoshaphat's insistence, delivered a stark warning from the Lord: Israel would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd, and Ahab himself would fall in battle (2 Chronicles 18:16). Ahab's response to this dire prediction was not repentance but an attempt at evasion. He proposed that he would disguise himself to enter the battle, while Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was to wear his royal robes. This was a calculated move to draw the enemy's attention away from himself and onto Jehoshaphat, hoping to escape the prophesied doom.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Futility: Ahab's act of disguising himself reveals a desperate attempt to outwit God's decree. It underscores the futility of trying to escape divine judgment through human cunning. Despite his elaborate plan, the prophecy of Micaiah ultimately came to pass, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 18:33.
  • Pride and Disregard for Truth: Ahab's decision reflects profound pride and a stubborn refusal to heed the clear word of the Lord delivered through Micaiah. He preferred the comfortable lies of his false prophets to the challenging truth.
  • Unwise Alliances: Jehoshaphat's presence, wearing his royal robes, put him in grave danger. His alliance with the wicked King Ahab, despite his own righteousness, is a recurring theme that brought trouble upon Judah (see also 2 Chronicles 19:2).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "I will disguise myself" comes from the Hebrew verb แธฅฤpaล› (ื—ึธืคึทืฉื‚), meaning "to search out, examine, disguise oneself." In this context, it clearly denotes an attempt to conceal one's identity. The contrast with "put thou on thy robes" emphasizes the deliberate effort to swap roles and divert attention, highlighting the cunning nature of Ahab's scheme.

Practical Application

  • You Cannot Outrun God: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that human schemes cannot thwart God's sovereign will or escape the consequences of disobedience. Trying to evade accountability only delays the inevitable.
  • Choose Your Company Wisely: Jehoshaphat's near-fatal mistake underscores the importance of discerning alliances. Even good intentions can lead to peril when aligning with those who reject God's counsel.
  • Heed Warnings: Just as Ahab ignored Micaiah's prophetic warning, we are often tempted to disregard counsel that challenges our desires. Wisdom lies in listening to truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
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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

  • 1 Samuel 28:8 (3 votes)

    And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me [him] up, whom I shall name unto thee.

  • 1 Kings 20:38 (2 votes)

    So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.

  • 2 Chronicles 35:22 (2 votes)

    Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

  • 2 Chronicles 35:23 (2 votes)

    And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.

  • Job 24:15 (2 votes)

    The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth [his] face.

  • Psalms 12:2 (2 votes)

    They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.

  • Proverbs 26:25 (2 votes)

    When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.