1 Kings 22:16 Komentář

This chapter finishes the history of Ahab's reign. It was promised in the close of the foregoing chapter that the ruin of his house should not come in his days, but his days were soon at an end. His war with the Syrians at Ramoth-Gilead is that which we have an account of in this chapter. I. His preparations for that war. He consulted, 1. His privy-council (Kg1 22:1-3). 2. Jehoshaphat (Kg1 22:4). 3. His prophets. (1.) His own, who encouraged him to go on this expedition (Kg1 22:5, Kg1 22:6), Zedekiah particularly (Kg1 22:11, Kg1 22:12). (2.) A prophet of the Lord, Micaiah, who was desired to come by Jehoshaphat (Kg1 22:7, Kg1 22:8), sent for (Kg1 22:9, Kg1 22:10-13, Kg1 22:14), upbraided Ahab with his confidence in the false prophets (Kg1 22:15), but foretold his fall in this expedition (Kg1 22:16-18), and gave him an account how he came to be thus imposed upon by his prophets (Kg1 22:19-23). He is abused by Zedekiah (Kg1 22:24, Kg1 22:25), and imprisoned by Ahab (Kg1 22:26-28). II. The battle itself, in which, 1. Jehoshaphat is exposed. But, 2. Ahab is slain (Kg1 22:29-40). In the close of the chapter we have a short account, (1.) Of the good reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah (Kg1 22:41-50). (2.) Of the wicked reign of Ahaziah king of Israel (Kg1 22:51-53).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 22 This chapter relates, that after three years' peace with the king of Syria, Ahab was inclined to go to war with him, to take Ramothgilead out of his hands; and he drew in Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to join him in it, Kg1 22:1, but before they went into it, they took advice, Ahab of his four hundred prophets, which Jehoshaphat not being satisfied with, a true prophet of the Lord, Micahah, was sent for, Kg1 22:5 who, when he came, jeered Ahab with what his prophets had said to him; intimated that he should be killed, and explained it to him how he came to be deceived by his prophets, Kg1 22:15 upon which he was smitten on the cheek by Zedekiah, one of the false prophets, and imprisoned by the order of Ahab, Kg1 22:24, after which the two kings went to the battle, and Jehoshaphat was in great danger of his life; but Ahab was wounded, and died, Kg1 22:29, and the chapter is concluded with an account of the reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Kg1 22:41, and of Ahaziah king of Israel, Kg1 22:51.

And he saith, hear thou therefore the word of the Lord,.... Since he had represented what he had said as proceeding from hatred to him, he would make it clear and plain that what he had said was the word of the Lord, and according to his mind; and that what the other prophets had said was owing to a lying spirit in them, which the Lord suffered for his ruin; all which are represented as in a vision, in which things are brought down to the capacities of men, and not as really transacted: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne; so it was represented to his mind, as if he had seen with his bodily eyes the divine Being in a glorious form, as a king sitting on his throne, to do justice and judgment; as Ahab and Jehoshaphat were now sitting on their thrones, only as a far greater King, even the King of kings, and in a more splendid manner: and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left the ministering angels ready to do his will.

Jehoshaphat King of Judah, and Ahab King of Israel, unite against the Syrians, in order to recover Ramoth-gilead, Kg1 22:1-4. They inquire of false prophets, who promise them success. Micaiah, a true prophet, foretells the disasters of the war, Kg1 22:5-17. A lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets persuades Ahab to go up against Ramoth, Kg1 22:18-29. The confederate armies are routed, and the king of Israel slain, Kg1 22:30-36. Death and burial of Ahab, Kg1 22:37-40. Character of Jehoshaphat, Kg1 22:41-47. He makes a fleet in order to go to Ophir for gold, which is wrecked at Ezion-geber, Kg1 22:48. His death, Kg1 22:49. He is succeeded by his son Jehoram, Kg1 22:50. Ahaziah succeeds his father Ahab, and reigns wickedly, Kg1 22:51, Kg1 22:52.

AHAB SLAIN AT RAMOTH-GILEAD. (1Ki. 22:1-36) continued three years without war between Syria and Israel--The disastrous defeat of Ben-hadad had so destroyed his army and exhausted the resources of his country, that, however eager, he was unable to recommence active hostilities against Israel. But that his hereditary enmity remained unsubdued, was manifest by his breach of faith concerning the treaty by which he had engaged to restore all the cities which his father had seized (Kg1 20:34).