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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 Chronicles 18:28 - 18:34
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The Syrians Defeat Israel
v. 28. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went up to Ramoth-gilead, in order to take it from the hands of the Syrians by force.
v. 29. And the king of Israel, desiring to shield himself and thus to escape the fate predicted to him by Micaiah, said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, by putting on the dress and the armor of an ordinary soldier or officer, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.
v. 30. Now, the king of Syria, in order to put an early and satisfactory end to the war by removing Ahab at once, had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel. They were to single him out for their attacks, concentrate all their efforts upon him in order to slay him.
v. 31. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, who was clothed in his royal attire, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight, directing all their assaults against his person; but Jehoshaphat cried out, either in prayer or in making himself known, and the Lord helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. God saved the life of His servant.
v. 32. For it came to pass that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, when they became aware of their mistake, they turned back again from pursuing him, they no longer massed their attacks against his person.
v. 33. And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, without taking specific aim at anyone person in the army of Israel, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness, there being small slits or openings where the several parts of the armor fitted together; therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand that thou mayest carry me out of the host, away from the battle-line; for I am wounded, he felt that he had received a mortal wound.
v. 34. And the battle increased that day; howbeit, the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even, holding himself upright by a strong effort of his will; and about the time of the sun going down he died. That was the end of Ahab, the enemy of the Lord. Like him, all the enemies of Jehovah will be destroyed, while He Himself holds His hand over those who trust in Him.