And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

2 CHRONICLES 18:9KJV
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2 Chronicles 18:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 18:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 18:9 describes the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, sitting together in their royal robes on their thrones at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, while all the prophets spoke their messages before them. This scene sets the stage for a significant decision, showing both kings in a public and formal setting as they seek prophetic guidance.

The verse takes place during a meeting between Ahab (the king of Israel) and Jehoshaphat (the king of Judah) as they consider going to war together. The entrance of the city gate was a traditional place for official gatherings and judgments in ancient Israel. The presence of many prophets prophesying before the kings highlights the seriousness and public nature of their consultation.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 18:9

  • "throne" (כִּסֵּא, kisse): This word refers to a royal seat or chair, emphasizing the authority and status of both kings as they sit in judgment or decision-making.
  • "void place" (גֹּרֶן, goren): Often meaning a threshing floor, this word here suggests an open, public space at the city gate, not an empty or deserted place, but a spot where people gathered for important matters.
  • "gate" (שַׁעַר, sha'ar): The city gate was the center of public life, where leaders met, legal cases were heard, and major announcements were made. This detail shows the kings were making their discussion a matter of public record.

Why 2 Chronicles 18:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the kings were not meeting in private but in a highly visible, official setting, which would have added pressure and significance to the prophets’ words.
  • The detail about both kings wearing their robes and sitting on thrones highlights the unity and formality of their alliance, even though they ruled different kingdoms.
  • Understanding the setting at the city gate helps explain why so many prophets were present and why their messages would carry weight with the people and the rulers.

Where else these words appear

“place” Hebrew H1637 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Ruth 3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.

“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 3:1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
  • 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.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.

“prophesied” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.