2 Chronicles 18:1-4

Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab

18:1 Jehoshaphat was very wealthy and greatly respected. He made an alliance by marriage with Ahab, 18:2 and after several years ¹  went down to visit ²  Ahab in Samaria. ³  Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle to honor Jehoshaphat and those who came with him. ⁴  He persuaded him to join in an attack ⁵  against Ramoth Gilead. 18:3 King Ahab of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to attack Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I will support you; my army is at your disposal and will support you in battle.” ⁶  18:4 Then Jehoshaphat added, ⁷  “First seek an oracle from the Lord.” ⁸ 

[18:2]  ¹ tn Heb “at the end of years.”

[18:2]  ² tn The word “visit” is supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

[18:2]  ³ map For location see Map2 B1; Map4 D3; Map5 E2; Map6 A4; Map7 C1.

[18:2]  ⁴ tn Heb “and Ahab slaughtered for him sheep and cattle in abundance, and for the people who were with him.”

[18:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “to go up.”

[18:3]  ⁶ tn Heb “Like me, like you; and like your people, my people; and with you in battle.”

[18:4]  ⁷ tn Heb “and Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel.”

[18:4]  ⁸ tn Heb “the word of the Lord.” Jehoshaphat is requesting a prophetic oracle revealing the Lord’s will in the matter and their prospects for success. For examples of such oracles, see 2 Sam 5:19, 23-24.