2 Chronicles 18:31

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It [is] the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them [to depart] from him.

And it came to pass, when the captains {H8269} of the chariots {H7393} saw {H7200} Jehoshaphat {H3092}, that they said {H559}, It is the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}. Therefore they compassed about {H5437} him to fight {H3898}: but Jehoshaphat {H3092} cried out {H2199}, and the LORD {H3068} helped {H5826} him; and God {H430} moved {H5496} them to depart from him.

So when the chariot commanders saw Y'hoshafat they said, "This is the king of Isra'el," and turned to attack him. But Y'hoshafat called out, and ADONAI came to his aid - God moved them to leave him alone,

When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him.

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they turned about to fight against him: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and Jehovah helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 18:31 describes a pivotal moment during the battle of Ramoth-Gilead, highlighting King Jehoshaphat of Judah's perilous situation and God's miraculous intervention.

Context

This verse is set within a larger narrative of King Jehoshaphat's ill-advised alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel against the Syrians. Despite warnings from the prophet Micaiah (2 Chronicles 18:18-27), Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat to join him in battle. Ahab, knowing the Syrians sought him, disguised himself, while Jehoshaphat wore his royal robes. The Syrian chariot captains were specifically commanded to target the king of Israel, leading them to mistakenly identify Jehoshaphat as their primary target.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection: Even when a believer makes a poor decision, God's grace and protection can still be evident. Jehoshaphat's life was spared not because of his wisdom in forming the alliance, but because of God's sovereign hand.
  • The Power of Prayer: Jehoshaphat's desperate "cried out" signifies a fervent plea to the Lord. This act of calling upon God in distress was immediately answered, demonstrating the efficacy of sincere prayer. Psalm 18:6 similarly attests to God hearing cries for help.
  • God's Sovereign Intervention: The verse explicitly states, "the LORD helped him; and God moved them [to depart] from him." This highlights God's active involvement in human affairs, capable of turning the hearts or intentions of enemies.
  • Consequences of Unwise Alliances: While God delivered Jehoshaphat, this dangerous encounter serves as a vivid illustration of the perils of forming unrighteous alliances, a theme later addressed by the prophet Jehu (2 Chronicles 19:2).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cried out" in Hebrew is za'aq (צָעַק), which conveys a strong sense of a desperate cry or scream, often in distress or for help. It's not merely a casual call but an urgent, heartfelt appeal. The subsequent phrase, "the LORD helped him; and God moved them," emphasizes the dual aspect of divine intervention: direct assistance and the supernatural influencing of the enemy's actions.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today. Firstly, even when we stumble or make choices that lead us into difficult situations, God's mercy and faithfulness can still preserve us if we turn to Him. Secondly, it underscores the vital importance of prayer, especially in moments of crisis. A desperate cry to the Lord, even when we feel trapped or overwhelmed, can activate His miraculous power to deliver. Finally, it serves as a reminder to seek God's wisdom and guidance in all our partnerships and decisions, avoiding entanglements that could lead to spiritual or physical peril.

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 Chronicles 13:14 (5 votes)

    And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle [was] before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.

  • Psalms 118:13 (4 votes)

    Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

  • Psalms 94:17 (3 votes)

    Unless the LORD [had been] my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

  • Psalms 116:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications.

  • Psalms 116:2 (3 votes)

    Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:9 (3 votes)

    But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

  • 2 Corinthians 1:10 (3 votes)

    Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];