1 Kings 22:30

30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ¹“I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes. ” And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

1 Kings 22:30 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 22:30

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise
myself, and enter into the battle
Change his clothes, his royal robes, and put on others, perhaps the habit of a common soldier; having, it may be, been informed by some deserters or spies, of the design of Benhadad against him. Abarbinel thinks the meaning is, that he would clothe himself with a coat of mail, and take to him the each of the instruments of war, and so go into the battle secure; this seems probable from ( 1 Kings 22:34 ) and this he might do to elude the prophecy of Micaiah:

but put thou on thy robes;
his royal robes, or rather keep them on, that he might appear to be the chief commander of the army. There seems to be a good deal of insincerity and treachery in this conduct of Ahab's, whatever honour he might pretend to Jehoshaphat, or safety he might promise him in such a situation; his view seems to be to save himself at the hazard of the life of Jehoshaphat, especially if the Septuagint version could be established, "and put on my clothes"; which is natural enough, but would have been too barefaced:

and the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle;
as if he had been a common soldier.

1 Kings 22:30 In-Context

28 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me. ” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples! ”

29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.

30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes. ” And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

31 Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel. ”

32 And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is surely the king of Israel. ” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out.

Cross References

• 1. 22:30 2 Chr. 35:22