King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 18:9 Mean?

2 Chronicles 18:9 in the King James Version says “And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Chronicles 18:9 · KJV

Context

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

10

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed. they: Heb. thou consume them

11

And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead , and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

Read 2 Chronicles 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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
מֶֽלֶךְ1 of 20

“And the king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל2 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וִיהֽוֹשָׁפָ֣ט3 of 20

“and Jehoshaphat”

H3092

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

מֶֽלֶךְ4 of 20

“And the king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֡ה5 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

וְיֹֽשְׁבִ֣ים6 of 20

“and they sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

אִ֨ישׁ7 of 20

“either”

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)

עַל8 of 20
H5921

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

כִּסְא֜וֹ9 of 20

“of them on his throne”

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

מְלֻבָּשִׁ֤ים10 of 20

“clothed”

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

בְּגָדִים֙11 of 20

“in their robes”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְיֹֽשְׁבִ֣ים12 of 20

“and they sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּגֹ֔רֶן13 of 20

“in a void place”

H1637

a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area

פֶּ֖תַח14 of 20

“at the entering in”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

שַׁ֣עַר15 of 20

“of the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

שֹֽׁמְר֑וֹן16 of 20

“of Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וְכָ֨ל17 of 20
H3605

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

הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים18 of 20

“and all the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

מִֽתְנַבְּאִ֖ים19 of 20

“prophesied”

H5012

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

לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃20 of 20

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

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 18:9 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 18:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 18:291 Kings 22:10-12Ruth 4:1Isaiah 14:9Jeremiah 27:14-16Matthew 6:29

Places in This Verse

Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 18 →

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