Ver. 1. Now Jehoshaphat had riches in abundance.] Stultitiam patiuntur opes. He was the worse for his wealth—as most men also are, -else he had not been so fond of this new affinity with Ahab. (2 Kings 8:18)
Ver. 2. He went down to Ahab to Samaria.] See 1 Kings 22:2, in which chapter we have the same history related as here, not abridged—as is usual with this author—-but at large; this much commendeth it unto us as necessary and profitable, since the Holy Ghost doth nothing in vain. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen.] As to feast him and his retinue, so, haply, to sacrifice to the gods, as idolaters used to do when great strangers came unto them. Dido did so when Æneas came to her court. “ Simul Aeneam in regia ducit Tecta, simul divum templis indicit honorem.’’—Aeneid, lib. i. Now Jezebel was Dido’s countrywoman, and had a great influence upon her husband Ahab.
Ver. 3. I am as thou art.] See 1 Kings 22:4. Jehoshaphat was too facile. It was noted as a fault in Henry IV of France that he was aeque male ac bono reconciliabilis, of too good a nature, as we say of some.
Ver. 4. Inquire, I pray thee, of the Lord today.] Yea, but this should have been done before he had engaged to go. Good Jehoshaphat is oft taxed for being smart too late. Few consider that it is better to stop or step back than to run on out of the way.
Ver. 5. Four hundred prophets.] An ecumenical council. See on 1 Kings 2:6.
Ver. 9. Clothed in their robes.] And as the Septuagint have it, ενοπλοι, in their arms, that they might provoke the people to take up arms.
Ver. 11. And all the prophets prophesied.] See 1 Kings 22:12. With as much confidence as Jesuits offer to pawn their souls for the truth of their assertions, and tell us, that if we be not damned, they will be damned for us. Event, the master of fools, confuted these bold affirmers.
Ver. 13. Even what my God saith.] His God he calleth him, though he had suffered for God, and was like to suffer more for his veracity. He would not budge—as Ecebolius and other timeservers did—for any man’s pleasure or displeasure.
Ver. 20. And there came out a spirit.] The Rabbis fable that this was Naboth’s ghost, who to be revenged on Ahab, thus offereth his service. In times of Popery, devils came saying that they were the souls of such and such dead persons; and desired to be set free from the pains of purgatory, &c.
Ver. 23. And smote Micaiah.] To do this in open court, and in such a presence, was great impudency; besides the violence, which yet is usually offered to Christ’s servants, when other arguments are wanting. Argumenta sua formant in Barbara et Ferio, as one saith wittily. If Micaiah should have smitten Zedekiah, there would have been somewhat to do. But some may better steal a horse, than others look over the hedge.
Ver. 29. But put thou on thy robes.] As if you were the general of both armies. Ahab pretended herein to honour Jehoshaphat, but intended to save himself, and to elude Micaiah’s prophecy.
Ver. 31. Therefore they compassed about him.] This great strait Jehoshaphat cast himseff into; as likewise the valiant Hunniades did, at the battle of Varna, where he was worsted, and afterwards taken prisoner by Dracula, for joining with that perjured Popish king of Hungary. And the Lord helped him.] See 1 Kings 22:32, where yet this precious passage is not; but is here added by the penman of this book, who relateth things formerly set down, but oft with usury.
Ver. 33. Between the joints of the harness.] The hand of Heaven carrying the arrow to that very place. As when God will save a man, a book in his bosom, the money in his purse, the buckle of his girdle shall preserve him from the deadly thrust, or shot. For I am wounded.] Heb., I am sick, or weary. Perhaps he would have concealed his deadly wound from his chariot man; but “ Ευρε Φεος τον αλιτρον. ” His “sin had now found him out”; and, as stout hearted as he was, death seized him. For,
Ver. 34. About the time of the sun going down he died.] And so proved that a whole council—of false prophets especially—may err. Ahab might now have sent for Zedekiah, with his fellows, as Rodulphus Suevus did for the Popish bishops, who had put him on to take up arms against his master, the emperor, complaining of them at his death, that they had deceived him to his destruction, with the Popes, “Petra dedit Petro, Petrus diadems Rodulpho.”