King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 18:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 18:15 in the King James Version says “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 th...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

2 Chronicles 18:15 · KJV

Truth

Context

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.

17

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil? but evil: or, but for evil

Read 2 Chronicles 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

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 · 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֙2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ3 of 16

“And the king”

H4428

a king

עַד4 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כַּמֶּ֥ה5 of 16
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

פְעָמִ֖ים6 of 16

“to him How many times”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

אֲנִ֣י7 of 16
H589

i

מַשְׁבִּיעֶ֑ךָ8 of 16

“shall I adjure”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

אֲ֠שֶׁר9 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא10 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תְדַבֵּ֥ר11 of 16

“thee that thou say”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלַ֛י12 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רַק13 of 16
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

אֱמֶ֖ת14 of 16

“nothing but the truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

בְּשֵׁ֥ם15 of 16

“to me in the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 16

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 18:15 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 18:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 22:161 Samuel 14:24Matthew 26:63Acts 19:13Mark 5:7

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