King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 18:5 Mean?

2 Chronicles 18:5 in the King James Version says “Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgi... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 18:5 · KJV


Context

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.

6

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? besides: Heb. yet, or, more

7

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's 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 · 23 words
וַיִּקְבֹּ֨ץ1 of 23

gathered together

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃2 of 23

Therefore the king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל3 of 23

of Israel

H3478

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

אֶֽת4 of 23
H853

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

הַנְּבִאִים֮5 of 23

of prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אַרְבַּ֣ע6 of 23

four

H702

four

מֵא֣וֹת7 of 23

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִישׁ֒8 of 23

men

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ9 of 23

And they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֗ם10 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֲנֵלֵ֞ךְ11 of 23
H1980

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

אֶל12 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רָמֹ֥ת13 of 23

to Ramothgilead

H7433

ramoth-gilad, a place east of the jordan

גִּלְעָ֛ד14 of 23
H1568

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

לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה15 of 23

to battle

H4421

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

אִם16 of 23
H518

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

אֶחְדָּ֑ל17 of 23

or shall I forbear

H2308

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

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ18 of 23

And they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עֲלֵ֔ה19 of 23

Go up

H5927

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

וְיִתֵּ֥ן20 of 23

will deliver

H5414

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

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים21 of 23

for 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

בְּיַ֥ד22 of 23

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

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃23 of 23

Therefore the king

H4428

a king


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 18:5 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 18:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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