Jehu Rebukes Jehoshaphat for the Alliance with Ahab
2 Chronicles 18:28-19:3
2 C.18.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהושפט: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אל: NEG
- רמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:29 (verbal): Direct narrative parallel — the same statement that the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth‑Gilead; Chronicles closely follows the account in Kings.
- 1 Kings 22:30 (structural): Immediate continuation in Kings: Ahab disguises himself and instructs Jehoshaphat to wear his robes, explaining how the two kings presented themselves in the battle at Ramoth‑Gilead.
- 1 Kings 22:34 (thematic): Describes Ahab being hit by an arrow at Ramoth‑Gilead — thematically linked as the crucial outcome of the campaign the two kings undertook.
- 1 Kings 22:36-37 (thematic): Reports the aftermath of the Ramoth‑Gilead engagement (Ahab propped in his chariot and dying at sunset), showing the final consequence of the expedition mentioned in 2 Chronicles 18:28.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth‑Gilead.
- The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth-Gilead.
2 C.18.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התחפש: VERB,hitpael,impv,2,m,sg
- ובוא: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- לבש: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- בגדיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויתחפש: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:30 (quotation): Direct parallel account in the Deuteronomistic history: Ahab tells Jehoshaphat to disguise himself and Ahab goes into battle in disguise (same narrative event).
- 1 Samuel 21:13 (thematic): David feigns madness before Achish (acts a false identity) — similar theme of a leader adopting a deceptive appearance to affect wartime or dangerous circumstances.
- 1 Samuel 17:38–39 (thematic): David puts on Saul’s armor and clothing before facing Goliath — another instance where changing garments/armour is used in a martial context and highlights the relationship between clothing and role in battle.
- Esther 5:1–2 (thematic): Esther puts on royal apparel and approaches the king unsummoned—illustrates the broader biblical motif of changing dress to alter status, access, or protection in a high-risk royal setting.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Wear disguise and go into the battle; but you, put on your robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into the battle.
- The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'Put on a disguise and go into battle.' Jehoshaphat put on his robes, while the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.
2 C.18.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- לא: PART_NEG
- תלחמו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הקטן: ADJ,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:31 (verbal): The parallel narrative in Kings gives the same command by the king of Aram/Syria to his chariot commanders: do not fight small and great but only the king of Israel (near-verbatim parallel).
- 1 Kings 22:33 (structural): Describes the chariots becoming entangled and fighting among themselves at the time the king was singled out—connects to the immediate military outcome implied by the Aramean order.
- 1 Kings 22:34 (thematic): Records that a random arrow struck the king of Israel between the joints of his harness, showing the fulfillment/result of the instruction to target the king alone.
- 1 Kings 22:35 (thematic): Continues the account of the king’s wounding and death that follows the Aramean command—same event narrated from the Israelite/Kings perspective.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the king of Aram had commanded the commanders of the chariots who were with him, "Do not fight with small or great; only fight with the king of Israel."
- But the king of Aram gave orders to his chariot commanders, 'Do not fight the lesser or the greater; only engage the king of Israel alone.'
2 C.18.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כראות: VERB,qal,inf_abs
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והמה: PRON,3,m,pl
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ויסבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- להלחם: VERB,hitp,inf
- ויזעק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עזרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויסיתם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:31 (quotation): Direct literary parallel: Kings recounts the same episode — commanders mistake Jehoshaphat for the king of Israel, he cries out, and the LORD helps him (Chronicles retells this material).
- 1 Kings 22:32-34 (quotation): Continuation of the Kings parallel describing the charioteers' action, Ahab's disguise, and the ensuing death; Chronicles compresses and reframes these details but follows the same episode.
- 2 Chronicles 20:15-22 (thematic): Another Jehoshaphat episode where, after prayer and crying to the LORD, God causes the enemy to panic and destroy themselves — same motif of divine intervention in response to the king's plea.
- Judges 7:22 (thematic): Gideon's victory in which the LORD causes the Midianites to turn on one another ("set every man’s sword against his companion") — a parallel motif of God engineering confusion among enemies.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (thematic): Law/theology that the LORD fights for Israel ("for the LORD your God is he that goeth with you to fight for you") provides the theological backdrop for narratives where kings cry out and God delivers them.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "It is the king of Israel," and turned aside to fight him. Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God turned them aside from him.
- When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat they said, 'It is the king of Israel,' and they turned against him to fight. Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God turned them aside from him.
2 C.18.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כראות: VERB,qal,inf_abs
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מאחריו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:32 (verbal): Direct parallel in the Kings account: the chariot captains see there is no king of Israel and cease pursuit (virtually identical wording).
- 1 Kings 22:31 (structural): Immediate antecedent in Kings: the archers wounded the king—this explains why the captains stopped pursuing.
- 1 Kings 22:33 (structural): Continuation in Kings describing the king remaining in his chariot and the blood from his wound, further narrating the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of pursuers.
- 2 Chronicles 18:31 (structural): Immediate preceding verse in Chronicles: Ahab is struck and commands his chariot driver to turn, setting the scene for the captains’ retreat in 18:32.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the chariot commanders saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.
- When the chariot commanders saw that the king of Israel was not there, they drew back from pursuing him.
2 C.18.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בקשת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- לתמו: PREP+ADV
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- הדבקים: VERB,qal,ptcp,_,m,pl,def
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- השרין: DET+NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לרכב: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הפך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- והוצאתני: VERB,hiphil,perf,2,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- החליתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:34 (quotation): Direct parallel in the Deuteronomistic account: a random archer shoots and strikes the king of Israel 'between the joints and the armor' — Chronicles here closely follows the Kings wording and narrative of Ahab's wound.
- 1 Kings 22:35-37 (quotation): Immediate aftermath in Kings (Ahab's death and the fulfillment motif of dogs licking his blood); Chronicles compresses the same outcome and echoes the same concluding details.
- 1 Kings 22:20-23 (allusion): Micaiah's vision of the divine council and the lying spirit who induces Israel's leaders to go to Ramoth‑Gilead provides the theological frame for Ahab's death; Chronicles' report alludes to this prophetic/causal explanation.
- 2 Chronicles 18:31 (structural): The surrounding verses in Chronicles (vv. 30–34) form the immediate narrative context — Ahab's concealment, his exposure in battle, and the fatal arrow — so v.33 is structurally paralleled by these adjacent verses within the same chapter.
Alternative generated candidates
- A man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the harness and the chariot. He said to his chariot driver, "Turn your hand and take me out of the host, for I am wounded."
- A man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armour. The king said to his chariot driver, 'Turn your hand and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.'
2 C.18.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותעל: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- ומלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מעמיד: PART,hiph,act,m,sg
- במרכבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נכח: PREP
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- הערב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בוא: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:34 (verbal): Direct literary parallel — nearly identical wording describing the king of Israel standing in his chariot against the Syrians until evening and dying at sunset.
- 1 Kings 22:17-28 (allusion): Micaiah’s prophecy and vision predicting Ahab’s doom and the divine/deceptive causes that lead to his death; the Chronicles verse functions as the fulfillment of that prophetic oracle.
- 1 Kings 22:35-38 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same narrative in Kings (aftermath of the death: retrieval of the body, washing of the chariot, and fulfillment of prophecy about dogs), showing the larger fulfillment context for the death at sunset.
- 1 Kings 21:19 (thematic): Earlier Elijah prophecy that dogs would lick Ahab’s blood — a thematically connected prediction that is fulfilled in the account of Ahab’s death and its aftermath (as narrated in Kings/Chronicles).
Alternative generated candidates
- The battle waxed hot that day; the king stood in his chariot facing Aram until the evening, and at the time of sunset he died.
- So the fighting increased that day. The king of Israel remained propped in his chariot before the Arameans until evening; at sunset he died.
2 C.19.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אל: NEG
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשלום: PREP
- לירושלם: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:50 (verbal): Almost word-for-word parallel — both state that Jehoshaphat returned to his house in Jerusalem in peace.
- 1 Kings 22:49–51 (structural): The Deuteronomistic account that frames Jehoshaphat’s reign immediately before and after the same event; provides the parallel narrative context to 2 Chronicles 19:1.
- 2 Chronicles 20:30–31 (thematic): Continues the Chronicler’s summary of Jehoshaphat’s reign and its peaceful stability — thematically linked to his return to Jerusalem in peace.
- Psalm 122:7 (thematic): Prayer for 'peace within your walls' of Jerusalem echoes the motif of returning to and dwelling in Jerusalem in peace as expressed in 2 Chr 19:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
- Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his house in Jerusalem in peace.
2 C.19.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- יהוא: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חנני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- החזה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלרשע: INT+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעזר: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולשנאי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- תאהב: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ובזאת: CONJ+PREP+DEM
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- מלפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:41-44 (structural): Parallel account of Jehoshaphat’s reign and his alliance with Ahab; provides the Kings-level narrative context for the prophetic rebuke recorded in Chronicles.
- 1 Kings 16:1-4 (verbal): The same prophet, Jehu son of Hanani, delivers divine judgment against a king (Baasha) — a closely related example of Jehu’s prophetic role in confronting royal sin.
- 2 Samuel 12:7-9 (thematic): Nathan’s direct prophetic confrontation of King David over sin and consequences parallels the pattern here: a prophet boldly rebukes a king and pronounces divine displeasure.
- 1 Kings 21:17-19 (thematic): Elijah’s denunciation of Ahab for wickedness (including alliance with wrongdoing and injustice) is thematically similar—prophet reproves king for siding with evil and announces judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore wrath is against you from before the LORD.
- Then Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, 'Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore wrath has come upon you from before the LORD.'
2 C.19.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אבל: CONJ
- דברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- טובים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- נמצאו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- כי: CONJ
- בערת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- האשרות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- מן: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והכינות: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- לדרש: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 14:3-4 (verbal): Asa 'removed the Asherim' and commanded Judah to seek the LORD—language closely parallels removal of the Asherah poles and turning the heart to seek God.
- 2 Chronicles 17:6 (verbal): Of Jehoshaphat: he 'removed the high places and the Asherim' and sought the LORD—similar phrasing praising reform and devotion.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (verbal): Hezekiah 'removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim'—direct verbal parallel in purging Asherah worship.
- 2 Chronicles 15:12-15 (thematic): A national reformation where people remove foreign gods and 'seek the LORD with all their heart'—echoes the link between removing idols and preparing the heart to seek God.
- Deuteronomy 4:29 (allusion): Promise/command that if Israel seeks the LORD 'with all your heart' they will find Him—background theological basis for 'preparing your heart to seek God.'
Alternative generated candidates
- But there are good things found in you: for you have removed the Asherahs from the land and have prepared your heart to seek God."
- But there are good things found in you: you removed the Asherah poles from the land and prepared your heart to seek God.
The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth‑Gilead.
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Put on disguise and go to the battle; you wear your robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went to the battle.
The king of Aram commanded his chariot commanders, "Do not fight with small or great; only with the king of Israel alone."
When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "It is the king of Israel!" and they turned aside to fight him. Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God turned them away from him.
When the chariot commanders saw that it was not the king of Israel, they withdrew from pursuing him. But a man drew his bow at full length and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. He said to his chariot driver, "Turn your hand, and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded."
The battle grew fierce that day; the king stood in his chariot facing Aram until evening, and at the time of the setting sun he died.
Then Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his house in Jerusalem in peace.
Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore wrath is upon you from before the LORD. But good things have been found in you: for you removed the Asherahs from the land and set your heart to seek the LORD God.