181 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor ; and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab . 2 Some years later he went down to visit Ahab at Samaria . And Ahab slaughtered many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead . 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah , "Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead ?" And he said to him, "I am as you are, and my people as your people , and we will be with you in the battle ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 18:1-3
Chapter Contents
Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab.
This history we read in 1 Kings 22. Abundant riches and honour give large opportunities of doing good, but they are attended with many snares and temptations. Men do not know much of the artifices of Satan and the deceitfulness of their own hearts, when they covet riches with the idea of being able to do good with them. What can hurt those whom God will protect? What can shelter those whom God will destroy? Jehoshaphat is safe in his robes, Ahab killed in his armour; for the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. We should be cautious of entangling ourselves in the worldly undertakings of evil men; and still more we should avoid engaging in their sinful projects. But, when they call upon him, God can and will bring his faithful people out of the difficulties and dangers into which they have sinfully run themselves. He has all hearts in his hand, so that he easily rescues them. Blessed is the man that putteth his trust in the Lord.