2 Chronicles 18

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

18:1-2 Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab led him to compromise his faithfulness to the Lord (see 19:2-3; cp. 2 Cor 6:14-18). The marriage of his son Jehoram (2 Chr 21:1) to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah (22:2) brought Israel’s apostasy into Judah (see 21:5-6, 12-13; 22:1-4).

Verse 5

18:5-7 The 400 prophets were Ahab’s “yes-men.” Jehoshaphat wanted instead to hear from a prophet of the Lord, but Ahab knew in advance that such a prophet would contradict his court prophets.

Verse 15

18:15 Ahab understood that Micaiah had not spoken the word of the Lord, perhaps because Micaiah’s answer used the same words as that of his rivals, or Micaiah might have been speaking with a sarcastic tone (18:14).

Verse 18

18:18-22 The vision explains the deception of the false prophets while legitimizing Micaiah’s word. The deception guaranteed that Ahab would fall in battle; his judgment was decreed.

Verse 25

18:25-26 Ahab’s defiance against the Lord is seen in his contempt for Micaiah, the Lord’s prophet.

Verse 28

18:28-34 Although Ahab knew he had gone against God’s will and was therefore liable for the consequences, his immediate concern was the Aramean army. His belief that he could defy God’s judgment against him indicates his disregard for the Lord; his error was fatal.