Bible Strands
1 Kings 22:4
So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat answered the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ahab king of Israel asks Jehoshaphat king of Judah to join him in battle against Ramoth-gilead, following his observation that the city remains unconquered. Jehoshaphat replies directly to the king of Israel with a declaration of shared identity and resources.
The words — הֲ/תֵלֵ֥ךְ (ha./te.Lekh) literally means "will you go," structuring the proposal as a direct inquiry about military movement. אִתִּ֛/י ('i.T/i) translates to "with me," specifying the personal and tactical partnership being requested.
The thread — The identical diplomatic exchange is recorded in 2 Chronicles 18:3, while a parallel request for joint military action appears in 2 Kings 3:7. The principle of separating from ungodly alliances is later addressed in Ephesians 5:11.
Why it lands — The text records Jehoshaphat’s immediate offer of men and horses before any consultation with God takes place. It requires the reader to observe how political and military commitments are formalized prior to seeking divine direction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth–gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 3:7 And he sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” “I will go,” replied Jehoshaphat. “I am as you are, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”
- Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
- 2 Chronicles 18:3 Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat replied, “I am as you are, and my people are your people; we will join you in the war.”
- 2 Chronicles 19:2 Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
- Psalms 139:21 Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD, and detest those who rise against You?
- Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- 2 John 1:11 Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
- Revelation 2:26 And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”