1 Kings 22:2
New International Version
But in the third year Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to see the king of Israel.

New Living Translation
Then during the third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel.

English Standard Version
But in the third year Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to visit the king of Israel,

King James Bible
And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

New King James Version
Then it came to pass, in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went down to visit the king of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
In the third year, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

NASB 1995
In the third year Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

NASB 1977
And it came about in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

Amplified Bible
In the third year Jehoshaphat king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
However, in the third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit the king of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went to visit the king of Israel.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
During the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit the king of Israel.

Good News Translation
but in the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to see King Ahab of Israel.

International Standard Version
During that third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit the king of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to visit the king of Israel,

NET Bible
In the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah came down to visit the king of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
It happened in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

World English Bible
In the third year, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat king of Judah comes down to the king of Israel,

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat king of Judah cometh down unto the king of Israel,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be in the third year, and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to the king of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And in the third year, Josaphat king of Juda came down to the king of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But in the third year, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, descended to the king of Israel.

New American Bible
In the third year, however, King Jehoshaphat of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
But in the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah came down to the king of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to Ahab the king of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was in the third year, and Yushaphat, King of Yehuda, came down to Akhab, King of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass in the third year, that Josaphat king of Juda went down to the king of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ahab and the False Prophets
1Then three years passed without war between Aram and Israel. 2However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to visit the king of Israel, 3who said to his servants, “Do you not know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?”…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 18:2
And some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria, where Ahab sacrificed many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to march up to Ramoth-gilead.

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.”

2 Chronicles 18:28
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.

2 Chronicles 18:29
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

2 Chronicles 18:30
Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”

2 Chronicles 18:31
When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him.

2 Chronicles 18:32
And when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.

2 Chronicles 18:33
However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!”

2 Chronicles 18:34
The battle raged throughout that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. And at sunset he died.

2 Chronicles 19:1
When Jehoshaphat king of Judah had returned safely to his home in Jerusalem,

2 Chronicles 19:2
Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.

2 Chronicles 19:3
However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”

2 Chronicles 19:4
Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 19:5
He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.

2 Chronicles 19:6
Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

A.

1 Kings 22:1
And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.

Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 16:21
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Jehoshaphat

1 Kings 22:41,44
And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel…

1 Kings 15:24
And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 8:18
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.

Jump to Previous
Israel Jehoshaphat Jehosh'aphat Judah Third
Jump to Next
Israel Jehoshaphat Jehosh'aphat Judah Third
1 Kings 22
1. Ahab, seduced by false prophets, by Michaiah's word, is slain at Ramoth Gilead
37. The dogs lick up his blood, and Ahaziah succeeds him
41. Jehoshaphat's good reign
45. His acts
46. Jehoram succeeds him
51. Ahaziah's evil reign














However
This word serves as a transition, indicating a shift in the narrative. It suggests a contrast or continuation from previous events. In the context of 1 Kings, the preceding chapters detail the reigns of various kings and the spiritual state of Israel and Judah. The use of "however" here signals a new development in the ongoing account of the divided kingdoms.

in the third year
This phrase provides a specific time frame, grounding the events in a historical context. The "third year" refers to the third year of Jehoshaphat's reign, which is significant because it marks a period of relative peace and stability in Judah. This timing is crucial as it sets the stage for the political and military alliances that follow.

Jehoshaphat king of Judah
Jehoshaphat was a king known for his piety and efforts to reform Judah according to God's laws. His name, meaning "Yahweh has judged," reflects his commitment to divine justice. As a ruler, Jehoshaphat sought to strengthen his kingdom spiritually and politically, often seeking alliances with neighboring nations, including Israel.

went down
The phrase "went down" is geographically accurate, as Jerusalem (the capital of Judah) is situated at a higher elevation than Samaria (the capital of Israel). This descent is not just physical but also symbolic, as it represents Jehoshaphat's willingness to engage with the northern kingdom, despite its history of idolatry and apostasy.

to visit
The act of visiting implies a purpose beyond mere social interaction. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such visits often had political or diplomatic motives. Jehoshaphat's visit to the king of Israel suggests a desire to discuss matters of mutual interest, possibly including military alliances or trade agreements.

the king of Israel
At this time, the king of Israel was Ahab, a ruler infamous for his idolatry and marriage to Jezebel, which led Israel further away from God. Ahab's reign was marked by conflict with prophets like Elijah, who called the nation back to faithfulness. Jehoshaphat's interaction with Ahab highlights the tension between political expediency and spiritual integrity.

(2) Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down.--The fuller account of the Chronicles (2 Chronicles 17) notices that the early part of his reign had been marked by a continuance or increase of the prosperity of Asa; but (1Kings 18:1) adds, in significant connection, he " had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab," so that this prosperity was, at any rate in part, dependent on a change of policy from enmity to alliance, with apparently some measure of dependence, dangerous alike spiritually and politically, but probably thought to be a necessity. The visit of Jehoshaphat (2Chronicles 18:2) was one of festivity, of which Ahab took advantage.

Verse 2. - And it came to pass in the third year [Of the peace; not after the death of Naboth, as Stanley], that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down [The journey to Jerusalem being invariably described as a "going up," one from Jerusalem to the provinces would naturally be spoken of as a "going down"] to the king of Israel. [For aught that appears, this was the first time that the monarchs of the sister kingdoms had met, except in battle, since the disruption, though the marriage of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, with Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, had taken place some years before this date (2 Chronicles 18:1, 2). It is probable that it was the growing power of Syria had led to this affinity and alliance.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
However,
וַיְהִ֖י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in the third
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑ית (haš·šə·lî·šîṯ)
Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

year,
בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה (baš·šā·nāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

Jehoshaphat
יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט (yə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3092: Jehoshaphat -- 'the LORD has judged', the name of a number of Israelites

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

went down
וַיֵּ֛רֶד (way·yê·reḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

[visit] the king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


Links
1 Kings 22:2 NIV
1 Kings 22:2 NLT
1 Kings 22:2 ESV
1 Kings 22:2 NASB
1 Kings 22:2 KJV

1 Kings 22:2 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 22:2 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 22:2 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 22:2 French Bible
1 Kings 22:2 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 22:2 It happened in the third year that (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 22:1
Top of Page
Top of Page