“Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.”
For Joram Jehoshaphat’s son married Ahab’s daughter. Cross references: : 1 Kings 22:3
“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”
That is, the third year, 1 Kings 22:2 . To recover it out of the hands of the Syrians.
“And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.”
Hear the advice of some Prophet, to know whether it be God’s will.
“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.”
Which were the prophets of Baal, signifying that the wicked esteem none but flatterers, and such as will bear with their inordinate affections.
“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.”
Yet the true ministers of God ought not to cease to do their duty, though the wicked magistrates cannot abide them to speak the truth. Meaning, that he ought not to refuse to hear any that was of God.
“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”
That is, in their majesty and royal apparel.
“And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. with: Heb. with one mouth”
Thinking, that whereas four hundred prophets had agreed in one thing, that he being but one man and in least estimation, durst not gainsay it.
“And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.”
He spake this by derision of the false prophets, as the King well perceived.
“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.”
He prophesieth of how the people should be dispersed and Ahab slain.
“Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.”
To them that will not believe the truth, God sendeth strong delusion that they should believe lies, 2 Thess. 2:10 .
“Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?”
By this cruelty, his ambition and hypocrisy was discovered: thus the hypocrites boast of the Spirit which they have not, and declare their malice against them in whom the true Spirit is.
“And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison , and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.”
Keep him straitly in prison, and let him feel hunger and thirst.
“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.”
Thus the wicked think by their own subtlety to escape God’s judgments which he threateneth by his word.
“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.”
He cried to the Lord by acknowledging his fault in going with this wicked king to war against the word of the Lord by his Prophet, and also by desiring mercy for the same.
“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”
Hebrew, in his simplicity, or ignorantly . Or, between the habergeon.
“And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.”
He dissembled his hurt that his soldiers might fight more courageously.