1 Kings 22:5

5 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the LORD.”

1 Kings 22:5 in Other Translations

5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

5 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Inquire first for the word of the LORD."

5 Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the LORD says.”

5 He then continued, "But before you do anything, ask God for guidance."

5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah.

5 Then Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "But first, find out what the word of the LORD is [in this matter]."

5 But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "First, please ask what the Lord's will is."

5 Jehoshaphat continued, "First ask the LORD for advice."

1 Kings 22:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 22:5

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, inquire, I pray
thee, at the word of the Lord today.
] Being a pious and religious prince, he did not choose to go into a war at once, without consulting the Lord by his prophets, whether it was his will and pleasure they should engage in it, and should prosper; and he was desirous of having this done immediately, before they proceeded any further.

1 Kings 22:5 In-Context

3 The king of Israel had said to his officials, “Don’t you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?”

4 So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

5 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the LORD.”

6 So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” “Go,” they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

7 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?”

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 33:7; 2 Kings 3:11; Job 38:2; Psalms 32:8; Psalms 73:24; Psalms 107:11