King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 18:7 Mean?

2 Chronicles 18:7 in the King James Version says “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; ... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 18:7 · KJV


Context

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.

8

And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla. officers: or, eunuchs Fetch: Heb. Hasten

9

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. void: or, floor


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 33 words
יֹאמַ֥ר1 of 33

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ2 of 33

And the king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל׀3 of 33

of Israel

H3478

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

אֶֽל4 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְה֣וֹשָׁפָ֔ט5 of 33

And Jehoshaphat

H3092

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

ע֣וֹד6 of 33
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

אִישׁ7 of 33

man

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)

אֶחָ֡ד8 of 33

There is yet one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לִדְרוֹשׁ֩9 of 33

by whom we may enquire

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

אֶת10 of 33
H853

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

יְהוָ֨ה11 of 33

of the LORD

H3068

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

מֵֽאֹת֜וֹ12 of 33
H853

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

וַֽאֲנִ֣י13 of 33
H589

i

שְׂנֵאתִ֗יהוּ14 of 33

but I hate

H8130

to hate (personally)

כִּֽי15 of 33
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵ֠ינֶנּוּ16 of 33
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מִתְנַבֵּ֨א17 of 33

him for he never prophesied

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

עָלַ֤י18 of 33
H5921

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

לְטוֹבָה֙19 of 33

good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

כִּ֣י20 of 33
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָל21 of 33
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יָמָ֣יו22 of 33

unto me but always

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לְרָעָ֔ה23 of 33

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

ה֖וּא24 of 33
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

מִיכָ֣יְהוּ25 of 33

the same is Micaiah

H4321

mikajah, the name of three israelites

בֶן26 of 33

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִמְלָ֑א27 of 33

of Imla

H3229

jimla or jimlah, an israelite

יֹאמַ֥ר28 of 33

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְה֣וֹשָׁפָ֔ט29 of 33

And Jehoshaphat

H3092

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

אַל30 of 33
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יֹאמַ֥ר31 of 33

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ32 of 33

And the king

H4428

a king

כֵּֽן׃33 of 33
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner


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 18:7 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 18:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study