And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.

2 CHRONICLES 18:2KJV
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2 Chronicles 18:2 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 18:2 mean?

2 Chronicles 18:2 describes how, after some years, King Jehoshaphat of Judah visited King Ahab of Israel in Samaria. Ahab hosted Jehoshaphat with a lavish feast, slaughtering many sheep and oxen, and then convinced him to join in a military campaign against Ramoth-gilead.

This verse sets the scene for a significant alliance between two kings, showing Ahab’s effort to win Jehoshaphat’s support through hospitality and persuasion. The passage highlights the political and personal interactions that led to their joint venture, which becomes a turning point in the story that follows.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 18:2

  • "Persuaded" (סוּת, sûth): This word means to entice, incite, or persuade. Here, it shows that Ahab did not simply invite Jehoshaphat but actively worked to convince him, suggesting a deliberate effort to secure his alliance.
  • "Abundance" (רֹב, rov): This word means a great quantity or multitude. The use of this word emphasizes the scale of Ahab’s hospitality, underlining how much he invested in impressing Jehoshaphat and his entourage.

Why 2 Chronicles 18:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab was not casual but was carefully cultivated, with Ahab taking intentional steps to win Jehoshaphat’s cooperation.
  • The emphasis on the abundance of the feast shows the political importance of the meeting and hints at the seriousness of Ahab’s intentions.
  • Understanding this background helps explain the events that follow, especially Jehoshaphat’s involvement in the risky campaign against Ramoth-gilead, which becomes a major episode in both kings’ reigns.

Where else these words appear

“persuaded” Hebrew H5496 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
  • 1 Kings 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
  • Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

“Ramothgilead” Hebrew H7433 · used in 22 verses

  • Joshua 21:38 And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
  • 1 Kings 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

“after” Hebrew H7093 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
  • Job 6:11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
  • Ezekiel 7:3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.

“Ahab” Hebrew H256 · used in 81 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 21:3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
  • 2 Kings 9:7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.