King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 18:31 Mean?

2 Chronicles 18:31 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Theref...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.”

2 Chronicles 18:31 · KJV

Context

29

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.

30

Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.

31

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

32

For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him. from: Heb. from after him

33

And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. at a venture: Heb. in his simplicity between: Heb. between the joints and between the breastplate wounded: Heb. made sick

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

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 · 21 words
וַיְהִ֡י1 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּרְאוֹת֩2 of 21

“saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

שָׂרֵ֨י3 of 21

“And it came to pass when the captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הָרֶ֜כֶב4 of 21

“of the chariots”

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

אֶת5 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙6 of 21

“Jehoshaphat”

H3092

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

וְהֵ֤מָּה7 of 21
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אָֽמְרוּ֙8 of 21

“that they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֶ֣לֶךְ9 of 21

“It is the king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל10 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

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

ה֔וּא11 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַיָּסֹ֥בּוּ12 of 21

“Therefore they compassed about”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

עָלָ֖יו13 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְהִלָּחֵ֑ם14 of 21

“him to fight”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

וַיִּזְעַ֤ק15 of 21

“cried out”

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙16 of 21

“Jehoshaphat”

H3092

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

וַֽיהוָ֣ה17 of 21

“and the LORD”

H3068

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

עֲזָר֔וֹ18 of 21

“helped”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

וַיְסִיתֵ֥ם19 of 21

“moved”

H5496

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

אֱלֹהִ֖ים20 of 21

“him and God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃21 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

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 18:31 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 18:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 13:14Psalms 118:13Nehemiah 1:11Psalms 94:17Psalms 46:112 Corinthians 1:9-10

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