2 Chronicles 18:4

¶ And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

And Jehoshaphat {H3092} said {H559} unto the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, Enquire {H1875}, I pray thee, at the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} to day {H3117}.

But Y'hoshafat said to the king of Isra'el, "First, we should seek the word of ADONAI."

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah.

Commentary

Context

This verse is pivotal in the narrative of King Jehoshaphat of Judah's visit to King Ahab of Israel. Despite Jehoshaphat's general righteousness, he had formed an alliance with the notoriously wicked King Ahab, even intermarrying their families. Ahab proposes that Jehoshaphat join him in battle to reclaim Ramoth-gilead from the Syrians. Before committing to such a significant military undertaking, Jehoshaphat, demonstrating his piety, insists on consulting the Lord, a stark contrast to Ahab's typical disregard for divine counsel.

Meaning and Significance

Jehoshaphat's request, "Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day," reveals his deep-seated conviction that major decisions, especially those involving life and death like war, should be made only after seeking God's direct guidance. It highlights his spiritual discernment even while being in a compromising alliance. His insistence forces Ahab to gather his prophets, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation between the multitude of false prophets and the lone, true prophet Micaiah, who delivers an unpopular but accurate word from the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Seeking Divine Guidance: The verse powerfully underscores the importance of consulting God before making critical choices. Jehoshaphat's action serves as a timeless reminder that human plans should always be subjected to divine review. This reflects a core biblical principle: the imperative to acknowledge God in all your ways.
  • Spiritual Discernment Amidst Compromise: While Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab was problematic, his immediate inclination to inquire of the Lord demonstrates his personal commitment to God's will. It shows that even in less-than-ideal circumstances, one can still strive for spiritual integrity.
  • The Authority of God's Word: Jehoshaphat implicitly recognizes that the "word of the LORD" holds ultimate authority over human desires and military strategies.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Enquire... at the word of the LORD" translates the Hebrew dārash 'eth-davar Yahweh (דרש את-דבר יהוה). The verb dārash means to "seek," "consult," "inquire," or "diligently search." It implies a serious, earnest, and often spiritual investigation or request. This wasn't a casual suggestion but a firm demand to seek out and understand God's revealed will through His prophets or other means of divine communication.

Practical Application

This verse offers a crucial lesson for believers today: before embarking on any significant endeavor—whether it's a career change, a major purchase, a new relationship, or a difficult decision—we should emulate Jehoshaphat and diligently seek God's will. This involves prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking wise, godly counsel. It reminds us that our plans should always be submitted to the Lord, emphasizing the need for divine wisdom in all decision-making. Furthermore, it serves as a caution against forming alliances or associations that might compromise our commitment to God, even if we intend to consult Him later.

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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

  • Jeremiah 21:2 (5 votes)

    Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

  • 1 Samuel 23:4 (3 votes)

    Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

  • 2 Samuel 5:19 (3 votes)

    And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

  • 1 Samuel 23:2 (3 votes)

    Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.

  • 1 Samuel 23:9 (3 votes)

    And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

  • 1 Samuel 23:12 (3 votes)

    Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver [thee] up.

  • 2 Samuel 5:23 (3 votes)

    And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; [but] fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.