King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 18:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 18:3 in the King James Version says “And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead ? And he answered him,...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 18:3 · 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.

5

Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

Read 2 Chronicles 18 full chapter

Commentary

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

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 · 20 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 20

“And he answered”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַחְאָ֣ב2 of 20

“And Ahab”

H256

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ3 of 20

“king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל4 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶל5 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙6 of 20

“unto Jehoshaphat”

H3092

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 20

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה8 of 20

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הֲתֵלֵ֥ךְ9 of 20
H1980

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

עִמִּ֖י10 of 20
H5973

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

רָמֹ֣ת11 of 20

“with me to Ramothgilead”

H7433

ramoth-gilad, a place east of the jordan

גִּלְעָ֑ד12 of 20
H1568

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר13 of 20

“And he answered”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֗וֹ14 of 20
H0
כָּמ֤וֹנִי15 of 20
H3644

as, thus, so

כָמ֙וֹךָ֙16 of 20
H3644

as, thus, so

עַמִּ֔י17 of 20

“as thy people”

H5971

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

עַמִּ֔י18 of 20

“as thy people”

H5971

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

וְעִמְּךָ֖19 of 20
H5973

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

בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃20 of 20

“and we will be with thee in the war”

H4421

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

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 18:3 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 18:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 22:42 Kings 3:72 John 1:10-11Ephesians 5:11Psalms 139:21

Places in This Verse

Ramoth-gileadSettlement · Modern: Tall er Rumeith · 32.50°N, 36.01°E20 verses across 3 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 18 →

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