Beginning
Micaiah Warns King Ahab(A)
18 Jehoshaphat had much wealth and ·honor [esteem], and he made an ·agreement [alliance] with King Ahab through marriage [C his son married Athaliah, Ahab’s daughter; 21:6]. 2 A few years later Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab ·sacrificed [slaughtered] many sheep and ·cattle [oxen] ·as a great feast to honor Jehoshaphat [L for him] and the ·people [officials] with him. He ·encouraged [enticed; persuaded; induced] Jehoshaphat to attack Ramoth in Gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to attack Ramoth in Gilead?”
Jehoshaphat answered, “I ·will go [L am one] with you, and my ·soldiers [people] are ·yours [your people]. We will join you in the battle.” 4 Jehoshaphat also said to Ahab, “But first we should ·ask if this is the Lord’s will [L seek/inquire about the word/counsel of the Lord].”
5 So ·King Ahab [L the king of Israel] ·called [assembled; summoned] four hundred prophets together and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or ·not [hold back]?”
They answered, “Go, because God will hand them over to you.”
6 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there still a prophet of the Lord here? Let’s ·ask [inquire of] him.”
7 Then King Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “There is one other prophet. We could ·ask [inquire of] the Lord through him, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything good about me, but always ·something bad [evil; disaster]. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
Jehoshaphat said, “King Ahab, you shouldn’t say ·that [such things]!”
8 So Ahab king of Israel told one of his ·officers [officials] to bring Micaiah to him at once.
9 Ahab king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah ·had on [were arrayed/dressed in] their royal robes and were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor, near the entrance to the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were ·standing before them speaking their messages [prophesying before them]. 10 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made some iron horns. He said to Ahab, “·This is what the Lord says [T Thus says the Lord]: ‘You will use these horns to ·fight [gore] the Arameans until they are destroyed.’”
11 All the other prophets ·said [prophesied] the same thing, “Attack Ramoth in Gilead and ·win [triumph; be victorious], because the Lord will hand the Arameans over to you.”
12 The messenger who had gone to ·get [summon] Micaiah said to him, “All the other prophets are ·saying King Ahab will win [speaking favorably with one voice for the king]. ·You should agree with them and give the king a good answer [L Let your word be like theirs and speak favorably].”
13 But Micaiah answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, I ·can tell him [will speak] only what my God says.”
14 When Micaiah came to Ahab, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth in Gilead or ·not [hold back]?”
Micaiah answered, “Attack and win! They will be handed over to you [C He was keeping his vow to speak what God said because this lie was what God wanted him to say to Ahab].”
15 But Ahab said to Micaiah, “How many times ·do I have to tell you [must I make you swear] to speak only the truth to me in the name of the Lord?” [C Micaiah’s tone was likely sarcastic.]
16 So Micaiah answered, “I saw ·the army of [L all] Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord said, ‘They have no ·leaders [master; C implying that their king had been killed]. They should go home ·and not fight [L in peace].’”
17 Then Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “·I told [L Didn’t I tell…?] you! He never prophesies anything good about me, but only ·bad [evil; disaster].”
18 But Micaiah said, “Hear the ·message from [L word of] the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with ·his heavenly army standing [L all the host of heaven] on his right and on his left. 19 The Lord said, ‘Who will ·trick [entice; deceive] King Ahab of Israel into attacking Ramoth in Gilead where he will ·be killed [L fall]?’
“Some ·said [suggested] one thing; some ·said [suggested] another. 20 Then one spirit came and stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will ·trick [entice; deceive] him.’
“The Lord asked, ‘How will you do it?’
21 “The spirit answered, ‘I will go ·to Ahab’s prophets and make them tell lies [L and be a lying/deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets].’
“So the Lord said, ‘You will succeed in ·tricking [enticing; deceiving] him. Go and do it.’”
22 Micaiah said, “Ahab, the Lord has ·made your prophets lie to you [L put a lying/deceiving spirit in the mouths of your prophets], and the Lord has ·decided that disaster should come to you [pronounced your doom].”
23 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up to Micaiah and slapped him ·in the face [L on the cheek]. Zedekiah said, “·Has [How is it that] the Lord’s Spirit left me to speak through you?”
24 Micaiah answered, “You will find out on the day you go to hide in an ·inside [secret] room [C when the predicted disaster would strike].”
25 Then Ahab king of Israel ordered, “Take Micaiah and ·send [return] him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, the king’s son. 26 Tell them I said to put this man in prison and give him only bread and water until I return ·safely [L in peace] from the battle.”
27 Micaiah said, “Ahab, if you come back safely from the battle, the Lord has not spoken through me. ·Remember my words [L Listen], all you people!”
Ahab Is Killed
28 So Ahab king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah ·went to [attacked] Ramoth in Gilead. 29 King Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “I will go into battle, but I will ·wear other clothes so no one will recognize me [disguise myself]. But you wear your royal ·clothes [robes].” So Ahab ·wore other clothes [disguised himself], and they went into battle.
30 The king of Aram ordered his chariot ·commanders [officers], “Don’t fight with anyone—·important [great] or ·unimportant [small]—·except [but only with] the king of Israel.” 31 When these ·commanders [officers] saw Jehoshaphat, they ·thought he was [said, “There is…”] the king of Israel, so they turned to attack him. But Jehoshaphat ·began shouting [cried/called out; C either for help or with his war cry], and the Lord ·helped [saved] him. God ·turned [drew; lured; diverted] the chariot ·commanders [officers] away from Jehoshaphat. 32 When they saw he was not King Ahab of Israel, they stopped chasing him.
33 ·By chance [Randomly; L In innocence], a soldier shot an arrow which hit Ahab king of Israel between the ·pieces [joints; plates] of his armor. King Ahab said to his chariot driver, “Turn around and get me out of the battle, because I am ·hurt [badly wounded]!” 34 The battle ·continued [raged] all day. King Ahab ·held [propped] himself up in his chariot and faced the Arameans until evening. Then he died at sunset.
19 Jehoshaphat king of Judah came back safely to his ·palace [L house] in Jerusalem. 2 Jehu son of Hanani, a ·seer [prophet], went out to meet him and said to the king, “·Why did [Should] you help evil people? ·Why do [Should] you love those who hate the Lord [C a reference to his ill-advised alliance with Ahab]? That is the reason the ·Lord is angry with [wrath of the Lord is on] you. 3 But there is some good in you. You took the Asherah ·idols [poles; 14:3] out of this ·country [land], and you have ·tried to obey [L your heart set on seeking] God.”
Jehoshaphat Chooses Judges
4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. He went out again ·to be with [among] the people, from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and he ·turned [brought] them back to the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers]. 5 Jehoshaphat appointed judges in all the land, in each of the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities of Judah. 6 Jehoshaphat said to them, “·Watch [Consider; Think carefully about] what you do, because you are not judging ·for [for the sake of] people but for the Lord. He will be with you when you ·make a decision [give a verdict; pronounce judgment]. 7 Now let each of you ·fear [respect] the Lord [Prov. 1:7] ·Watch what you do [Judge/Decide carefully/with integrity], because the Lord our God ·wants people to be fair [does not tolerate injustice/unrighteousness…]. ·He wants all people to be treated the same […or partiality], ·and he doesn’t want decisions influenced by money […or taking of bribes].”
8 And in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests, and ·leaders [heads] of Israelite ·families [clans] to be judges. They were to ·decide [judge] cases about the law of the Lord and settle ·problems [disputes] between the people who lived in Jerusalem. 9 Jehoshaphat ·commanded [instructed; charged] them, “You must ·always serve the Lord completely [act faithfully and wholeheartedly], and you must fear him. 10 Your ·people [kinsmen; brothers] living in the cities will bring you cases about ·killing [murder; violent crime; L between blood pertaining to blood], about the ·teachings [laws], commands, rules, or some other ·law [regulation]. In all these cases you must warn the people not to sin against the Lord. If you don’t, ·he will be angry with [wrath will come on] you and your ·people [kinsmen; brothers]. But if you warn them, you won’t ·be guilty [sin].
11 “Amariah, the ·leading [chief; high] priest, will be over you in all cases about the Lord [C in matters of God’s law]. Zebadiah son of Ishmael, a leader in the ·tribe [L house] of Judah, will be over you in all cases about the king [C civil cases]. Also, the Levites will serve as ·officers [officials; C of the court] for you. Have ·courage [confidence]. May the Lord be with those who do what is right.”
Jehoshaphat Faces War
20 Later the Moabites, Ammonites, and some Meunites came to start a war with Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A ·large army [vast horde; T great multitude] is coming against you from ·Edom [L beyond the sea; C the Dead Sea]. They are already in Hazazon Tamar (that is, En Gedi)!” 3 Jehoshaphat was ·afraid [alarmed], so he decided to ·ask the Lord what to do [seek the Lord]. He announced that everyone in Judah should fast. 4 The people of Judah ·came together [assembled] to ·ask the Lord for help [seek the Lord]; they came from every town in Judah.
5 The ·people [assembly] of Judah and Jerusalem met in front of the new courtyard in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. Then Jehoshaphat stood up, 6 and he said, “Lord, God of our ·ancestors [fathers], ·you are the [L are you not…?] God in heaven. ·You [L Do you not…?] rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. You have power and strength in your hand, so no one can ·stand against [withstand; resist] you. 7 Our God, ·you forced [L did you not drive…?] out the people who lived in this land ·as your people Israel moved in [before your people Israel]. And you gave this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham. 8 They lived in this land and built a ·Temple [sanctuary here] for ·you [L your name]. They said, 9 ‘If ·trouble [disaster; evil] comes upon us, or ·war [L the sword], ·punishment [judgment; C this term should perhaps be combined with the previous one to read “the sword of judgment”], ·sickness [plague; pestilence], or ·hunger [famine], we will stand before you and before this ·Temple [L house] ·where you have chosen to be worshiped [for your name is in this house]. We will cry out to you ·when we are in trouble [in our distress]. Then you will hear and ·save [rescue; T deliver] us.’
10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab, and ·Edom [L Mount Seir]. You wouldn’t let the Israelites ·enter [invade] their lands when the Israelites came from Egypt. So the Israelites ·turned away [bypassed/went around them] and did not destroy them. 11 But see how they repay us! They have come to force us out of your ·land [possession], which you gave us as our ·own [inheritance]. 12 Our God, ·punish those people [will you not judge them?]. We have no power against this ·large army [vast horde; T great multitude] that is attacking us. We don’t know what to do, so ·we look to you for help [L our eyes are on you].”
13 All the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their babies, wives, and children. 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord ·entered [came on] Jahaziel. (Jahaziel was Zechariah’s son. Zechariah was Benaiah’s son. Benaiah was Jeiel’s son, and Jeiel was Mattaniah’s son.) Jahaziel, a Levite and a descendant of Asaph, stood up in the ·meeting [assembly]. 15 He said, “Listen to me, King Jehoshaphat and all you people living in Judah and Jerusalem. ·The Lord says this [T Thus says the Lord] to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or ·discouraged [dismayed] because of this ·large army [vast horde; T great multitude]. The battle is not your battle, it is God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down ·there and fight those people [L against them]. They will come up through the ·Pass [ascent] of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ·ravine [valley] that ·leads [opens] to the ·Desert [wilderness] of Jeruel. 17 You won’t need to fight in this battle. Just ·stand strong in your places [take your positions], and you will see the ·Lord save you [salvation/deliverance/rescue of the Lord]. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid or ·discouraged [dismayed], because the Lord is with you. So go out ·against those people [to face them] tomorrow.’”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed facedown on the ground. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed down before the Lord and worshiped him. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathite and Korahite people stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud ·voices [shouts].
20 Jehoshaphat’s army went out into the ·Desert [wilderness] of Tekoa early in the morning. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, people of Judah and Jerusalem. ·Have faith [Trust; Believe] in the Lord your God, and you will ·stand strong [be secure/safe/T established]. ·Have faith [Trust; Believe] in his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 Jehoshaphat ·listened to the advice of [consulted/conferred with] the people. Then he ·chose [appointed] men to be singers to the Lord, to praise him ·because he is holy and wonderful [for his holy splendor; or in their holy/sacred vestments/robes]. As they ·marched in front [went ahead] of the army, they said,
“·Thank [Give thanks to; Praise] the Lord,
because his ·love [unfailing love; lovingkindness; loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever [Ps. 136].”
22 As they began to sing and praise God, the Lord set ambushes for the people of Ammon, Moab, and ·Edom [L Mount Seir] who had come to attack Judah. And they were ·defeated [routed]. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites attacked ·the Edomites [L those from Mount Seir], ·destroying [annihilating] them completely. After they had ·killed [finished off] the Edomites, they killed each other.
24 When the men from Judah came to ·a place where they could see [the lookout point in] the ·desert [wilderness], they looked ·at the enemy’s large army [toward the vast horde; T great multitude]. But they only saw ·dead bodies [corpses] lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his army came to ·take [gather; carry off] their ·valuables [plunder; spoil; booty], they found many supplies, much clothing, and other valuable things. There was more than they could carry away; there was so much it took three days to gather it all. 26 On the fourth day Jehoshaphat and his army met in the Valley of Beracah [C “blessing”] and ·praised [blessed] the Lord. That is why that place has been called the Valley of Beracah [C “blessing”] to this day.
27 Then Jehoshaphat led all the men from Judah and Jerusalem back to Jerusalem. The Lord had ·made them happy because their enemies were defeated [given them cause to rejoice over their enemies]. 28 They entered Jerusalem with harps, lyres, and trumpets and went to the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord.
29 When all the kingdoms of the lands around them heard how the Lord had fought Israel’s enemies, ·they feared God [L the terror/dread of God came upon them]. 30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at ·peace [rest]. His God gave him ·peace from all the countries around him [L rest on every side].
Jehoshaphat’s Rule Ends(B)
31 Jehoshaphat ·ruled [reigned] over the country of Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. 32 Jehoshaphat ·was good like [L walked in the way of] his father Asa, and he did what ·the Lord said was right [L was right/pleasing in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. 33 But the ·places where gods were worshiped [L high places; 11:15] were not removed, and the people ·did not really want to follow [had not committed/devoted themselves to; had not set their hearts on] the God of their ·ancestors [fathers].
34 The other things Jehoshaphat did as king, from ·the beginning to the end [first to last], ·are [are they not…?] written in the records of Jehu son of Hanani, which are in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Israel.
35 Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made a ·treaty [alliance] with Ahaziah king of Israel, which was a ·wrong [wicked; evil] thing to do. 36 Jehoshaphat agreed with Ahaziah to build ·trading ships [L ships to go to Tarshish; C in present-day Spain, hence a large, seagoing trading ship], which they built in the town of Ezion Geber. 37 Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from the town of Mareshah ·spoke [prophesied] against Jehoshaphat. He said, “Jehoshaphat, because you ·joined [allied] with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked so they could not sail out to trade.
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