And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.

1 KINGS 22:30KJV
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1 Kings 22:30 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 22:30 mean?

1 Kings 22:30 describes how the king of Israel told Jehoshaphat that he would disguise himself before going into battle, while Jehoshaphat should wear his royal robes. The king of Israel then disguised himself and entered the battle, trying to hide his identity.

In this verse, Ahab, the king of Israel, is speaking to Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, as they prepare to fight against their enemies. Ahab’s plan to disguise himself shows his fear of being targeted, since kings were often prime targets in battle. Meanwhile, Jehoshaphat is asked to wear his royal garments, which would make him stand out as a king.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 22:30

  • "disguise" (הִתְחַפֵּשׂ, hithchappēs): This word means to change one’s appearance or to disguise oneself. Here, it shows Ahab’s deliberate attempt to avoid recognition and danger on the battlefield.
  • "robes" (בְּגָדִים, begadim): This word refers to garments or clothing, often used for special or official attire. Jehoshaphat is told to wear his royal robes, making him visibly identifiable as a king.
  • "battle" (מִלְחָמָה, milchamah): This word means battle or war, emphasizing the serious and dangerous context of the situation.

Why 1 Kings 22:30 matters

  • This verse highlights Ahab’s fear and cunning, as he tries to protect himself by disguising his identity, even at the risk of putting Jehoshaphat in greater danger.
  • The detail that Jehoshaphat is told to wear his royal robes while Ahab disguises himself sets up the tension and irony in the story, since it could make Jehoshaphat a target.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the events that follow in the chapter, where the enemy mistakenly attacks Jehoshaphat, thinking he is the king of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“disguise” Hebrew H2664 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 31:35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.
  • 2 Kings 10:23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
  • Proverbs 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

“Jehoshaphat” Hebrew H3092 · used in 75 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
  • 2 Kings 3:7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

“on” Hebrew H3847 · used in 103 verses

  • Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
  • Isaiah 49:18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.