2 Chronicles

Covers Solomon's reign and the kingdom of Judah's history, emphasizing faithfulness to God.

Chapter 18

1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

*Now Jehoshaphat was very wealthy and respected, and became friends with Ahab.

2 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 some years, he visited Ahab in Samaria. Ahab provided many sheep and cattle for him and his followers, and convinced him to join him in attacking Ramothgilead.

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.

*King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah, "Will you join me at Ramothgilead?" Jehoshaphat replied, "We are like you and your people, and we will support you in battle."

4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

*Jehoashaphat asked the king of Israel, "Please check what God's message is today."

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.

*So, the king of Israel brought together 400 prophets and asked if they should attack Ramothgilead or not. They told him to go ahead because God would help them win.

6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

*But Jehoshaphat asked, Isn't there another prophet of God here so we can ask for guidance?

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.

*The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat about a man they could ask for guidance, but he didn't like him because he never shared good news - this man was Micaiah, son of Imla. Jehoshaphat asked the king not to speak negatively about him.

8 And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.

*The king of Israel asked for an officer to bring Micaiah, the son of Imla, right away.

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.

*The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, both sat on their thrones with their royal clothes on. They sat in an empty space near the entrance to Samaria's gate, and all the prophets shared their messages with them.

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.

*Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, made iron horns for him and said, "The Lord says, Use these to push Syria until they run out of strength."

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.

*And all the prophets said, "Go to Ramothgilead and be successful because the Lord will give it to the king."

12 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.

*The messenger told Micaiah that all other prophets agree on saying good things to the king, so please do the same and say something positive like they do.

13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

*Micaiah said, "By living God's word, whatever my God says, that is what I will speak."

14 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.

*When he arrived before the king, the king asked him, "Micaiah, should we attack Ramothgilead, or should I wait?" He replied, "Go ahead, succeed, and they will be handed over to you."

15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

*And the king asked him, "How many times must you promise to only tell the truth to me using the LORD's name?"

16 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.

*Then he said, "I saw all of Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd." The LORD said, "They have no leader; let them go back to their homes 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?

*The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, "I warned you, he won't predict good things for me, only bad ones."

18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

*Once more, he said, "So listen to God's message. I saw God sitting on His throne with all the angels standing on His right and left side.

19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

*And God asked, who will tempt King Ahab of Israel to go to Ramothgilead and get defeated? Different people suggested different ideas.

20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?

*Then a spirit appeared before God and said, "I will tempt him." And God asked, "How?"

21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.

*He said, "I will deceive everyone through the prophets." The Lord replied, "You will tempt him and succeed. Go ahead and do it."

22 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.

*So now, understand that the Lord has made your prophets tell lies, and He is speaking badly about you.

23 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?

*Then Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, approached and hit Micaiah in the face. He asked, "Why did the Lord's Spirit tell you to talk to me?"

24 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

*Micaiah said, "You will see on that day when you go into a hidden room to hide."

25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;

*Then the king of Israel told them, "Take Micaiah and bring him to Amon, the city's leader, and to Joash, the king's son."

26 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.

*And say, The king says, Put this person in jail and give him food and water that cause trouble until I come back safely.

27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

*Micaiah said, "If you truly come back safely, then the Lord didn't speak through me." He also said, "Listen, everyone."

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.

*The king of Israel and the king of Judah, named Jehoshaphat, went together to a place called Ramothgilead.

29 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.

*The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, "I'll hide my identity and join the fight, but you wear your royal clothes." The king hid his identity and they went to fight.

30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.

*The Syrian king told his chariot leaders to not fight anyone, big or small, except for the Israeli king.

31 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.

*When the chariot leaders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought he was the Israel king. So, they surrounded him to battle. But Jehoshaphat called for help, and the Lord aided him. God made the enemies leave him alone.

32 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.

*It happened that when the chariot leaders saw it wasn't the king of Israel, they stopped chasing him.

33 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.

*A man accidentally shot an arrow and hit the king of Israel in his armor. The king told his chariot driver to help him leave because he was hurt.

34 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.

*The fighting grew stronger that day. However, the king of Israel stood firm in his chariot, fighting the Syrians, until the sun began to set. It was at sunset when he passed away.

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