1 Kings 22:1

1Ki 22:1-36. Ahab Slain at Ramoth-gilead. 1. 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 (1Ki 20:34).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Introduction

Jehoshaphat King of Judah, and Ahab King of Israel, unite against the Syrians, in order to recover Ramoth-gilead, 1Kgs 22:1-4. They inquire of false prophets, who promise them success. Micaiah, a true prophet, foretells the disasters of the war, 1Kgs 22:5-17. A lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets persuades Ahab to go up against Ramoth, 1Kgs 22:18-29. The confederate armies are routed, and the king of Israel slain, 1Kgs 22:30-36. Death and burial of Ahab, 1Kgs 22:37-40. Character of Jehoshaphat, 1Kgs 22:41-47. He makes a fleet in order to go to Ophir for gold, which is wrecked at Ezion-geber, 1Kgs 22:48. His death, 1Kgs 22:49. He is succeeded by his son Jehoram, 1Kgs 22:50. Ahaziah succeeds his father Ahab, and reigns wickedly, 1Kgs 22:51, 1Kgs 22:52. Verse 1 Three years without war - That is, from the time that Ahab made the covenant with Ben-hadad, mentioned 1Kgs 20:34. And probably in that treaty it was stipulated that Ramoth-gilead should be restored to Israel; which not being done, Ahab formed a confederacy with Judah, and determined to take it by force.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

The same easiness of temper, which betrays some godly persons into friendship with the declared enemies of religion, renders it very dangerous to them. They will be drawn to wink at and countenance such conduct and conversation as they ought to protest against with abhorrence. Whithersoever a good man goes, he ought to take his religion with him, and not be ashamed to own it when he is with those who have no regard for it. Jehoshaphat had not left behind him, at Jerusalem, his affection and reverence for the word of the Lord, but avowed it, and endeavoured to bring it into Ahab's court. And Ahab's prophets, to please Jehoshaphat, made use of the name of Jehovah: to please Ahab, they said, Go up. But the false prophets cannot so mimic the true, but that he who has spiritual senses exercised, can discern the fallacy. One faithful prophet of the Lord was worth them all. Wordly men have in all ages been alike absurd in their views of religion. They would have the preacher fit his doctrine to the fashion of the times, and the taste of the hearers, and yet to add, Thus saith the Lord, to words that men would put into their mouths. They are ready to cry out against a man as rude and foolish, who scruples thus to try to secure his own interests, and to deceive others.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain