King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 18:2 Mean?

2 Chronicles 18:2 in the King James Version says “And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for th...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead . after: Heb. at the end of years”

2 Chronicles 18:2 · KJV

Context

1

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

2

And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead . after: Heb. at the end of years

3

And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead ? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.

4

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

Read 2 Chronicles 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 20 words
וַיֵּרֶד֩1 of 20

“he went down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

לְקֵ֨ץ2 of 20

“And after”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

שָׁנִ֤ים3 of 20

“certain years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אֶל4 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַחְאָ֜ב5 of 20

“And Ahab”

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

לְשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן6 of 20

“to Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וַיִּֽזְבַּֽח7 of 20

“killed”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

ל֨וֹ8 of 20
H0
אַחְאָ֜ב9 of 20

“And Ahab”

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

צֹ֤אן10 of 20

“sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּבָקָר֙11 of 20

“and oxen”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

לָרֹ֔ב12 of 20

“for him in abundance”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

וְלָעָ֖ם13 of 20

“and for the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 20
H834

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

עִמּ֑וֹ15 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וַיְסִיתֵ֕הוּ16 of 20

“that he had with him and persuaded”

H5496

properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce

לַֽעֲל֖וֹת17 of 20

“him to go up”

H5927

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

אֶל18 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רָמֹ֥ת19 of 20

“with him to Ramothgilead”

H7433

ramoth-gilad, a place east of the jordan

גִּלְעָֽד׃20 of 20
H1568

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

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 18:2 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 18:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 9:12 Chronicles 19:21 Kings 1:9Luke 17:27-29Deuteronomy 4:431 Kings 17:7

Places in This Verse

Ramoth-gileadSettlement · Modern: Tall er Rumeith · 32.50°N, 36.01°E20 verses across 3 books
Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 18 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 18 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 18 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes