Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 22:5

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD today.

5. Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord ] The persuasion has gained from him a promise, but Jehoshaphat would still find out whether the proposed expedition has the sanction of Jehovah. It is clear from his request that he expected to find a true prophet of Jehovah at hand in Israel. The national apostasy cannot therefore have been complete, even in the dark days of Ahab.

to day ] The Hebrew word is the same which is found in Gen 25:31; Gen 25:33, where on the margin of R.V. the alternative rendering, ‘first of all,’ is given. This sense is very appropriate both there and here, and will often explain what ‘to day’ in O. Test. diction signifies. Cf. above, 1Ki 1:51.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Jehoshaphat, with characteristic piety 1Ki 22:43 takes advantage of his position as Ahabs friend and ally, to suggest inquiry of the Lord (Yahweh) before the expedition is undertaken. Lest Ahab should consent in word and put off the inquiry in act, he asks to have the prophets called in at once: today.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

1Ki 22:5

Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to-day.

Appeal to the prophets in time of crisis

It has been noted, that in ancient Grecian national affairs, when all theories that are called practical break down, it is the once-despised and suspected philosophers that come into strange public importance. If an important embassy to a hostile nation is to be sent, it is to Xenocrates that they entrust it, though the man was never seen in the assembly. If Antigonus wants a safe officer to hold the Accorrinthus, he chooses Perseus the Stoic. When Alexander in his despair at the murder of Clitus sits in dust and ashes, and will not eat or drink, they send two philosophers to bring him to reason. The men whose lives are devoted to thought are now regarded as peace-makers and politicians above the ordinary level.

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

By some prophet; that we may know the mind of God in it, and what success we may expect. This was the practice of the godly. See Jdg 1:1; 20:28; 1Sa 23:2.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord today. Being a pious and religious prince, he did not choose to go into a war at once, without consulting the Lord by his prophets, whether it was his will and pleasure they should engage in it, and should prosper; and he was desirous of having this done immediately, before they proceeded any further.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

5. Jehoshaphat said The king of Judah shows a piety superior to that of Ahab. He doubtless knew that Ahab’s former successes against the Syrians were predicted by a prophet of the Lord, ( 1Ki 20:13 ; 1Ki 12:28😉 and he would seek a like encouragement again.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

(5) And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD today.

I beg the Reader to admire Jehoshaphat’s piety in this instance. Though he knew well the infamous idolatry of Ahab, yet he calls upon him to consult the Lord. Reader! it is always profitable to look up for guidance from heaven, before we undertake anything upon earth. That is a blessed maxim: Pro 3:5-6 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

1Ki 22:5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

Ver. 5. Inquire, I pray thee. ] Ahab never thought of this, belike. God was not in all his thoughts. Psa 10:4 And yet Scipio went first to the capitol, and then to the senate. a And the Romans called a sacrifice hostia ; because, when they went against the enemies, they offered it. b

At the word of the Lord. ] Some think that Jehoshaphat, hearing of Ahab’s late humiliation, mistook him for a true convert, and therefore thus bespake him, and thought he might lawfully join with him in so just a war.

Today. ] Josephus saith that this was done when the armies were now met, and were ready to march.

a Liv., lib. xxvi.

b Gel., lib. vii., chap. 1.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Inquire: Num 27:21, Jos 9:14, Jdg 1:1, Jdg 20:18, Jdg 20:23, Jdg 20:29, 1Sa 14:18, 1Sa 23:2, 1Sa 23:4, 1Sa 23:9-12, 1Sa 30:8, 2Ki 1:3, 2Ki 3:11, 1Ch 10:13, 2Ch 18:4, 2Ch 18:5, Pro 3:5, Pro 3:6, Jer 21:2, Jer 42:2-6, Eze 14:3, Eze 20:1-3

Reciprocal: Jdg 18:5 – Ask counsel 1Sa 14:37 – Shall I go 2Ch 34:21 – inquire

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1Ki 22:5. Jehoshaphat said, Inquire, I pray thee, &c. By some prophet; that we may know the mind of God in this matter, and what success we may expect. A good man, wherever he goes, will take God along with him, will acknowledge him in all his ways, and look to him for success: and, wherever he goes, he ought to take his religion along with him; and not be ashamed to own it, even among those who have no kindness for it.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

22:5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, {e} Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

(e) He seemed that he would not go to war unless God approved it, yet when Michaiah advised the opposite he would not obey.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes