Ahab’s Dies at Ramoth-gilead^(A)

²⁸ So the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah both attacked Ramoth-gilead. ²⁹ The king of Israel suggested to Jehoshaphat, “I’ll go into battle in disguise, but you keep your royal uniform on.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and they both went into the battle.

³⁰ Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his chariot commanders: “Don’t attack unimportant soldiers or ranking officers. Go after only the king of Israel.” ³¹ So when the chariot commanders observed Jehoshaphat, they said by mistake, “It’s the king of Israel!” and they turned aside to attack him. But Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord, who helped him, and God diverted them from him. ³² When the chariot commanders saw that their target^[a] was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him.

³³ Meanwhile, somebody drew his bow and struck the king of Israel at a weak spot where his armor plates joined, so he instructed his chariot driver, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, because I’ve been severely wounded.” ³⁴ The battle continued on for the rest of the day while the king of Israel propped himself up in front of the Arameans until the sun set, at which time he died.

Jehu the Seer Warns Jehoshaphat

19 After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, ² where Hanani’s son Jehu, the seer, went out to meet him. He asked king Jehoshaphat, “Should you be helping those who are wicked, yes or no? Should you love those who hate the Lord? Wrath is headed your way directly from the Lord because of this. ³ Nevertheless, a few good things have been found in you, in that you have removed the Asheroth^[b] from the land and you have disciplined yourself to seek God.”