Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ahab king of Israel addresses Jehoshaphat king of Judah during a state visit in Samaria, immediately following a feast and an initial urging to march against Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat responds to the direct military proposal with a formal pledge of alliance.
The words — The Hebrew וַ/יֹּ֜אמֶר (va/i.Yo.mer) translates literally as “and he said,” functioning as the narrative hinge between Ahab’s invitation and Jehoshaphat’s reply. The name אַחְאָ֣ב ('ach.'Av) anchors the dialogue in the political authority of the northern kingdom, identifying the instigator of the campaign.
The thread — This exchange mirrors 1 Kings 22:4, which records the identical question and reply regarding the Ramoth-gilead campaign. It also surfaces in 2 Kings 3:7 as a historical marker of Jehoshaphat’s prior military cooperation with Israel.
Why it lands — The text presents a clear sequence: political commitment is declared before spiritual inquiry is requested. It requires a reader to notice how human alliance and military agreement are established first, leaving the subsequent request for divine guidance as a structural priority rather than a spontaneous reaction.
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 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 be with thee in the war.
Cross-references
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Psalms 139:21 Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD, and detest those who rise against You?
- Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
- 2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.