King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 18:14 Mean?

2 Chronicles 18:14 in the King James Version says “And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I for... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

2 Chronicles 18:14 · KJV


Context

12

And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. with: Heb. with one mouth

13

And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

14

And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

15

And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

16

Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Danger of ungodly partnerships despite personal faithfulness. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיָּבֹא֮1 of 19

And when he was come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל2 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ3 of 19

the king

H4428

a king

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙4 of 19

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ5 of 19

the king

H4428

a king

אֵלָ֗יו6 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִיכָה֙7 of 19

unto him Micaiah

H4318

micah, the name of seven israelites

הֲנֵלֵ֞ךְ8 of 19
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל9 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רָמֹ֥ת10 of 19

to Ramothgilead

H7433

ramoth-gilad, a place east of the jordan

גִּלְעָ֛ד11 of 19
H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה12 of 19

to battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

אִם13 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֶחְדָּ֑ל14 of 19

or shall I forbear

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙15 of 19

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עֲל֣וּ16 of 19

Go ye up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וְהַצְלִ֔יחוּ17 of 19

and prosper

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

וְיִנָּֽתְנ֖וּ18 of 19

and they shall be delivered

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּיֶדְכֶֽם׃19 of 19

into your hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 18:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 18:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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