181 And Jehoshaphat hath riches and honour in abundance, and joineth affinity to Ahab, 2 and goeth down at the end of 'certain' years unto Ahab to Samaria, and Ahab sacrificeth for him sheep and oxen in abundance, and for the people who 'are' with him, and persuadeth him to go up unto Ramoth-Gilead. 3 And Ahab king of Israel saith unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, 'Dost thou go with me 'to' Ramoth-Gilead?' And he saith to him, 'As I—so thou, and as thy people—my people, even with thee in 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.