2 Chronicles 16-18
1599 Geneva Bible
16 2 Asa for fear of Baasha king of Israel, maketh a covenant with Ben-Hadad king of Aram. 7 He is reproved by the Prophet. 10 Whom he putteth in prison. 12 He putteth his trust in the Physicians. 13 His death.
1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa came [a](A)Baasha king of Israel up against Judah, and built [b]Ramah, to let none pass out or go in to Asa king of Judah.
2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord, and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Aram that dwelt at [c]Damascus, saying,
3 There is a covenant between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold: come, [d]break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
4 And Ben-Hadad hearkened unto King Asa, and sent the captains of the army which he had, against the cities of Israel. And they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel Maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
5 And when Baasha heard it, he left building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
6 Then Asa the king took all Judah, and carried away the stones of Ramah and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha did build, and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
7 ¶ And at that same time Hanani the [e]Seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast rested upon the king of Aram, and not rested in the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Aram escaped out of thine hand.
8 (B)The Ethiopians and the Lubim, were they not a great host with chariots and horsemen, exceedingly many? yet because thou didst rest upon the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand.
9 For the eyes of the Lord behold all the earth, to show himself strong with them that are of perfect heart toward him: thou hast then done foolishly in this: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
10 Then Asa was wroth with the Seer, and put him into a [f]prison: for he was [g]displeased with him, because of this thing. And Asa oppressed certain of the people at the same time.
11 And behold, the acts of Asa first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
12 ¶ And Asa in the nine and thirtieth year of his reign was [h](C)diseased in his feet, and his disease was [i][j]extreme: yet he sought not the Lord in his disease, but to the [k]Physicians.
13 So Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
14 And they buried him in one of his sepulchers, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed, which they had filled with sweet odors and divers kinds of spices made by the art of the Apothecary: and they burnt odors for him with an exceeding great fire.
17 5 Jehoshaphat trusting in the Lord, prospereth in riches and honor. 6 He abolisheth idolatry, 7 and causeth the people to be taught. 11 He receiveth tribute of strangers. 13 His munitions, and men of war.
1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and prevailed against Israel.
2 And he put garrisons in all the strong cities of Judah, and set bands in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the [l]first ways of his father David, and sought not [m]Baalim,
4 But sought the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandment, and not after the [n]trade of Israel.
5 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat, so that he had of riches and honor in abundance.
6 And he [o]lifted up his heart unto the ways of the Lord, and he took away moreover the high places and the groves out of Judah.
7 ¶ And in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, Ben-Hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Michaiah, that they should [p]teach in the cities of Judah,
8 And with them Levites, Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites, and with them Elishama and Jehoram, Priests.
9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the Law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, and they [q]fought not against Jehoshaphat.
11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and tribute silver, and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
12 So Jehoshaphat prospered and grew up on high, and he built in Judah palaces and cities of store.
13 And he had great works in the cities of Judah, and men of war, and valiant men in Jerusalem.
14 And these are the numbers of them after the house of their fathers, In Judah were captains of thousands, Adnah the captain, and [r]with him of valiant men three hundred thousand.
15 And [s]at his hand Jehohanan a captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
16 And at his hand Amasiah the son of Zichri, [t]which willingly offered himself unto the Lord, and with him two hundred thousand valiant men.
17 And of Benjamin, Eliada a valiant man, and with him armed men with bow and shield, two hundred thousand.
18 And at his hand Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand armed to the war.
19 These [u]waited on the king, besides those which the king put in the strong cities throughout all Judah.
18 1 Jehoshaphat maketh affinity with Ahab. 10 Four hundred Prophets counsel Ahab to go to war. 16 Michaiah is against them. 23 Zedekiah smiteth him. 25 The king putteth him in prison. 29 The effect of his prophecy.
1 And (D)Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, but he was joined in [v]affinity with Ahab.
2 And after certain [w]years he went down to Ahab to Samaria: and Ahab slew sheep and oxen for him in great number, and for the people that he had with him, and enticed him to go up unto [x]Ramoth Gilead.
3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth Gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people, and we will join with thee in the war.
4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Ask counsel, I pray thee, at the [y]word of the Lord this day.
5 Therefore the King of Israel gathered of [z]Prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I cease? And they said, Go up: for God shall deliver it into the king’s hand.
6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there here never a Prophet more of the Lord that we might inquire of him?
7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may ask counsel of the Lord: but I [aa]hate him: for he doth not prophesy good unto me, but always evil: it is Michaiah the son of Imla. Then Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say [ab]so.
8 And the king of Israel called an eunuch, and said, Call quickly Michaiah the son of Imla.
9 ¶ And the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat King of Judah sat either of them on his throne clothed in their [ac]apparel: they sat even in the threshing floor at the entering in of the gate of Samaria: and all the Prophets prophesied before them.
10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him [ad]horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the Lord, With these shalt thou push the Aramites until thou hast consumed them.
11 And all the Prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up in Ramoth Gilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it unto the hand of the king.
12 ¶ And the messenger that went to call Michaiah, spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the Prophets declare good to the king with one [ae]accord: let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.
13 And Michaiah said, As the Lord liveth, whatsoever my God saith, that will I speak.
14 ¶ So he came to the king, and the King said unto him, Michaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I leave off? And he said, [af]Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
15 And the King said to him, How oft shall I charge thee, that thou tell me nothing but the truth in the Name of the Lord?
16 Then he said, I saw all Israel scattered in the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, [ag]These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
17 And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee, that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
18 Again he said, Therefore hear ye the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sit upon his throne, and all the [ah]host of heaven standing at his right hand, and at his left.
19 And the Lord said, Who shall [ai]persuade Ahab King of Israel, that he may go up, and fall at Ramoth Gilead? And one spake and said thus, and another said that.
20 Then there came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherein?
21 And he said, I will go out, and be a false spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets. And [aj]he said, Thou shalt persuade, and shalt also prevail: go forth and do so.
22 Now therefore behold, the Lord hath put a [ak]false spirit in the mouth of these thy Prophets, and the Lord hath determined evil against thee.
23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Michaiah upon the [al]cheek, and said, By what way went the Spirit of the Lord from me, to speak with thee?
24 And Michaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see that day when thou shalt go from chamber to chamber to hide thee.
25 And the King of Israel said, Take ye Michaiah, and carry him to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son,
26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this man in the prison house, and feed him with bread of [am]affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
27 And Michaiah said, If thou return in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. And [an]he said, Hear, all ye people.
28 So the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat the King of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.
29 And the King of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will [ao]change myself, and enter into the battle: but put thou on thine apparel. So the king of Israel changed himself, and they went into the battle.
30 And the king of Aram had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight you not with small nor great, but against the king of Israel only.
31 And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, It is the king of Israel: and they compassed about him to fight. But Jehoshaphat [ap]cried, and the Lord helped him and moved them to depart from him.
32 For when the captains of the chariots saw that he was not the King of Israel, they turned back from him.
33 Then a certain man drew a bow [aq]mightily, and smote the King of Israel between the joints [ar]of his brigandine: Therefore he said to his chariotman, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host: for I am hurt.
34 And the battle increased that day: and the king of Israel [as]stood still in his chariot against the Aramites until even, and died at the time of the sun going down.
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 16:1 Who reigned after Nadab the son of Jeroboam.
- 2 Chronicles 16:1 He fortified it with walls and ditches: it was a city in Benjamin near to Gibeon.
- 2 Chronicles 16:2 Or, Darmesek.
- 2 Chronicles 16:3 He thought to repulse his adversary by an unlawful means, that is, by seeking help of infidels, as they that seek the Turks’ amity, thinking thereby to make themselves more strong.
- 2 Chronicles 16:7 Or, Prophet.
- 2 Chronicles 16:10 Hebrew, prison house.
- 2 Chronicles 16:10 Thus instead of turning to God by repentance, he disdained the admonition of the Prophet, and punished him, as the wicked do when they be told of their faults.
- 2 Chronicles 16:12 Or, gouty, or swollen.
- 2 Chronicles 16:12 Or, to the top of his head.
- 2 Chronicles 16:12 God plagued his rebellion, and hereby declareth that it is nothing to begin well, except we so continue to the end, that is, zealous of God’s glory, and put our whole trust in him.
- 2 Chronicles 16:12 He showeth that it is in vain to seek to the Physicians, except we first seek to God to purge our sins, which are the chief cause of all our diseases, and after use the help of the Physician, as a means by whom God worketh.
- 2 Chronicles 17:3 That is, his virtues: meaning before he had committed with Bathsheba, and against Uriah.
- 2 Chronicles 17:3 Sought not help at strange Gods.
- 2 Chronicles 17:4 Hebrew, work.
- 2 Chronicles 17:6 He gave himself wholly to serve the Lord.
- 2 Chronicles 17:7 He knew it was in vain to profess religion, except such were appointed which could instruct the people in the same, and had authority to put away all idolatry.
- 2 Chronicles 17:10 Thus God prospereth all such that with a pure heart seek his glory, and keepeth their enemies in fear, that they cannot be able to execute their rage against them.
- 2 Chronicles 17:14 Hebrew, in his hand.
- 2 Chronicles 17:15 Or, next to him.
- 2 Chronicles 17:16 Meaning, which was a Nazirite, Num. 6.
- 2 Chronicles 17:19 That is, they were as his ordinary guard.
- 2 Chronicles 18:1 For Joram Jehoshaphat’s son married Ahab’s daughter.
- 2 Chronicles 18:2 That is, the third year, 1 Kings 22:2.
- 2 Chronicles 18:2 To recover it out of the hands of the Syrians.
- 2 Chronicles 18:4 Hear the advice of some Prophet, to know whether it be God’s will.
- 2 Chronicles 18:5 Which were the prophets of Baal, signifying that the wicked esteem none but flatterers, and such as will bear with their inordinate affections.
- 2 Chronicles 18:7 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.
- 2 Chronicles 18:7 Meaning, that he ought not to refuse to hear any that was of God.
- 2 Chronicles 18:9 That is, in their majesty and royal apparel.
- 2 Chronicles 18:10 Read 1 Kings 22:11.
- 2 Chronicles 18:12 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.
- 2 Chronicles 18:14 He spake this by derision of the false prophets, as the King well perceived.
- 2 Chronicles 18:16 He prophesieth of how the people should be dispersed and Ahab slain.
- 2 Chronicles 18:18 Meaning, his Angels.
- 2 Chronicles 18:19 Or, deceive.
- 2 Chronicles 18:21 That is, the Lord.
- 2 Chronicles 18:22 To them that will not believe the truth, God sendeth strong delusion that they should believe lies, 2 Thess. 2:10.
- 2 Chronicles 18:23 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.
- 2 Chronicles 18:26 Keep him straitly in prison, and let him feel hunger and thirst.
- 2 Chronicles 18:27 Or, Micaiah.
- 2 Chronicles 18:29 Thus the wicked think by their own subtlety to escape God’s judgments which he threateneth by his word.
- 2 Chronicles 18:31 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.
- 2 Chronicles 18:33 Hebrew, in his simplicity, or ignorantly.
- 2 Chronicles 18:33 Or, between the habergeon.
- 2 Chronicles 18:34 He dissembled his hurt that his soldiers might fight more courageously.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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