Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “This is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him, New Living Translation So when the Aramean chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. “There is the king of Israel!” they shouted. But Jehoshaphat called out, and the LORD saved him. God helped him by turning the attackers away from him. English Standard Version As soon as the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God drew them away from him. Berean Standard Bible When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him. King James Bible And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. New King James Version So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, “It is the king of Israel!” Therefore they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. New American Standard Bible So when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “He is the king of Israel!” And they turned aside to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. NASB 1995 So when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel,” and they turned aside to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. NASB 1977 So it came about when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, “It is the king of Israel,” and they turned aside to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. Legacy Standard Bible Now it happened that when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel,” and they turned to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him, and God incited them away from him. Amplified Bible So when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat [of Judah], they said, “It is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat called out [for God’s help], and the LORD helped him; and God diverted them away from him. Christian Standard Bible When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they shouted, “He must be the king of Israel! ” So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him. Holman Christian Standard Bible When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they shouted, “He must be the king of Israel!” So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him. American Standard Version And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they turned about to fight against him: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and Jehovah helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. Contemporary English Version So when they saw Jehoshaphat in his robe, they thought he was Ahab and started to attack him. But Jehoshaphat prayed, and the LORD made the Syrian soldiers stop. English Revised Version And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they turned about to fight against him: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. GOD'S WORD® Translation When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "He must be the king of Israel." So they surrounded him in order to fight him. But when Jehoshaphat cried out, the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him, Good News Translation So when they saw King Jehoshaphat, they all thought that he was the king of Israel, and they turned to attack him. But Jehoshaphat gave a shout, and the LORD God rescued him and turned the attack away from him. International Standard Version So when the chariot commanders observed Jehoshaphat, they said by mistake, "It's the king of Israel!" and they turned aside to attack him. But Jehoshaphat cried out to the LORD, who helped him, and God diverted them from him. NET Bible When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "He must be the king of Israel!" So they turned and attacked him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. The LORD helped him; God lured them away from him. New Heart English Bible It happened, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, "It is the king of Israel." Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. Webster's Bible Translation And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him. World English Bible When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel!” Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it comes to pass at the heads of the charioteers seeing Jehoshaphat, that they have said, “He is the king of Israel,” and they turn around against him to fight, and Jehoshaphat cries out, and YHWH has helped him, and God entices them from him; Young's Literal Translation And it cometh to pass at the heads of the charioteers seeing Jehoshaphat, that they have said, 'The king of Israel he is,' and they turn round against him to fight, and Jehoshaphat crieth out, and Jehovah hath helped him, and God enticeth them from him, Smith's Literal Translation And it will be as the chiefs of the chariots, seeing Jehoshaphat, and they said, He is the king of Israel. And they will surround about him to wage war: and Jehoshaphat will cry out, and Jehovah helped him, and God stimulates them from him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSo when the captains of the cavalry saw Josaphat, they said: This is the king of Israel. And they surrounded him to attack him: but he cried to the Lord, and he helped him, and turned them away from him. Catholic Public Domain Version And so, when the leaders of the horsemen had seen Jehoshaphat, they said, “This one is the king of Israel.” And while fighting, they surrounded him. But he cried out to the Lord, and he assisted him, and he turned them away from him. New American Bible When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “There is the king of Israel!” and wheeled to fight him. But Jehoshaphat cried out and the LORD helped him; God induced them to leave him alone. New Revised Standard Version When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him; and Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd it came to pass when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they came against him to fight him; but Jehoshaphat cried out and the LORD helped him; and he turned them away from him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And it was that when the Commanders of chariots saw Yehoshaphat, they said: “This is the King of Israel!” And they came against him to fight with him, and Yehoshaphat cried out, and LORD JEHOVAH helped him and he removed them from him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said: 'It is the king of Israel.' Therefore they turned about to fight against him; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Josaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel: and they compassed him about to fight against him: and Josaphat cried out, and the Lord delivered him; and God turned them away from him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ahab's Defeat and Death…30Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” 31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him. 32And when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.… Cross References 1 Kings 22:32-33 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Surely this is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. / And when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 33:16-17 No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. / A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save. Psalm 118:8-9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. / It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. Isaiah 31:3 But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together. Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. Jeremiah 39:12 “Take him, look after him, and do not let any harm come to him; do for him whatever he says.” Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 26:53 Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Mark 13:20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short. Luke 1:37 For no word from God will ever fail.” John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.” Treasury of Scripture And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 13:14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. 2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. the Lord 2 Chronicles 26:7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims. Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Psalm 56:1,11 To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me… God moved them Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Ezra 7:27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer. Jump to Previous Captains Chariot Chariots Commanders Compassed Cried Depart Drew Fight Help Helped Israel Jehoshaphat Jehosh'aphat Moved Round Surrounded Thought Turned War-CarriagesJump to Next Captains Chariot Chariots Commanders Compassed Cried Depart Drew Fight Help Helped Israel Jehoshaphat Jehosh'aphat Moved Round Surrounded Thought Turned War-Carriages2 Chronicles 18 1. Jehoshaphat, joined in affinity with Ahab, is persuaded to go against Ramoth Gilead4. Ahab, seduced by false prophets, according to the word of Micaiah, is slain there When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah, and his presence in the battle was due to his alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel. The chariot commanders were likely part of the Aramean army, which was fighting against Israel. This phrase highlights the confusion on the battlefield, as Jehoshaphat was mistakenly identified as Ahab. The presence of chariots indicates the military strength and technological advancement of the time, as chariots were a significant part of ancient warfare. they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him but Jehoshaphat cried out and the LORD helped him God drew them away from him Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoshaphatThe King of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God, who allied himself with Ahab, the King of Israel, through marriage and military alliance. 2. Chariot Commanders Military leaders of the Aramean army, tasked with targeting the king of Israel during the battle. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The God of Israel, who intervenes to protect Jehoshaphat when he cries out for help. 4. Battle of Ramoth-gilead The conflict where Jehoshaphat and Ahab joined forces against the Arameans, leading to the events of this verse. 5. Ahab The King of Israel, who disguised himself in battle, leaving Jehoshaphat exposed to danger. Teaching Points Divine InterventionGod is attentive to the cries of His people and intervenes in their time of need. Jehoshaphat's experience reminds us that God is our protector and deliverer. The Danger of Unequal Alliances Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab, a king who did not follow God, placed him in a precarious situation. Believers should be cautious about forming alliances that may compromise their faith. The Power of Prayer Jehoshaphat's immediate response to danger was to cry out to God. This highlights the importance of prayer as a first response in times of trouble. God's Sovereignty in Battle Despite human plans and disguises, God's will prevails. Ahab's attempt to avoid danger by disguising himself failed, while Jehoshaphat was saved by divine intervention. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 18(2 Chronicles 17:3-4) How can Jehoshaphat be said to walk in David's ways without referencing David's well-documented moral failures in earlier narratives? In 2 Chronicles 18:21-22, how can an all-truthful God justly send a lying spirit to deceive Ahab? In 2 Chronicles 18:29-33, is the 'random' arrow that kills Ahab historical fact or merely a supernatural tale lacking archaeological support? In 1 Kings 22:43, why does the text imply Jehoshaphat removed high places when 2 Chronicles 20:33 suggests otherwise?Verse 31. - Comparing this and following verse minutely with the parallel (1 Kings 22:32, 33), the exact correspondence of the latter of each pair of verses only the more clearly points the significance belonging to the two clauses of foreign matter interposed so characteristically by the writer of Chronicles for his own unvarying special objects, viz. the Lord helped him; and God moved them. What the cry of Jehoshaphat was remains uncertain; whether a cry to his own bodyguard and soldiers, or a cry to those who were beginning "to compass him about as bees," to let them know at any rate that he was not the king they sought, or whether most improbably, a cry to the Lord is meant. The cry fulfilled its purpose, and if Jehoshaphat had a sneaking love for Ahab (see the significant "love them," etc., of Jehu in second verse of next chapter), he evidently had not any idea of needlessly dying for him. The happy distinction of perceiving in next verse, as compared with seeing in this verse, is not warranted by the Hebrew text (in both cases כִּרְאות), though it is by the gist of the connection and English idiom, Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When the chariotהָרֶ֜כֶב (hā·re·ḵeḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone commanders שָׂרֵ֨י (śā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince saw כִּרְאוֹת֩ (kir·’ō·wṯ) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7200: To see Jehoshaphat, יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט (yə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3092: Jehoshaphat -- 'the LORD has judged', the name of a number of Israelites they וְהֵ֤מָּה (wə·hêm·māh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They said, אָֽמְרוּ֙ (’ā·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “This ה֔וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is the king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Israel!” יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc So they turned וַיָּסֹ֥בּוּ (way·yā·sōb·bū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround to fight עָלָ֖יו (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against against him, לְהִלָּחֵ֑ם (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm) Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle but Jehoshaphat יְהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙ (yə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3092: Jehoshaphat -- 'the LORD has judged', the name of a number of Israelites cried out, וַיִּזְעַ֤ק (way·yiz·‘aq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly and the LORD וַֽיהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel helped him. עֲזָר֔וֹ (‘ă·zā·rōw) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 5826: To surround, protect, aid God אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative drew them away וַיְסִיתֵ֥ם (way·sî·ṯêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 5496: To prick, stimulate, to seduce from him. מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ (mim·men·nū) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of Links 2 Chronicles 18:31 NIV2 Chronicles 18:31 NLT 2 Chronicles 18:31 ESV 2 Chronicles 18:31 NASB 2 Chronicles 18:31 KJV 2 Chronicles 18:31 BibleApps.com 2 Chronicles 18:31 Biblia Paralela 2 Chronicles 18:31 Chinese Bible 2 Chronicles 18:31 French Bible 2 Chronicles 18:31 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Chronicles 18:31 It happened when the captains (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
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