2 Chronicles 18:28 - Meaning and Application

We have here good Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, exposing himself in his royal robes. That put him in danger, yet God delivered him. We have reason to think that Ahab, while pretending friendship, was really trying to get Jehoshaphat killed, so he could keep control through Jehoshaphat’s successor, his own son-in-law. If that was his plan, his advice for Jehoshaphat to go into battle in his robes was a cruel trap, because it made him an easy target for the enemy.

The enemy soon noticed the robes and attacked the unguarded prince. Only then did Jehoshaphat wish he were dressed like the poorest soldier instead of wearing royal clothes. He cried out, either to his men for help, though Ahab did nothing for him, or to the enemy to explain that he was not the king of Israel. Or perhaps he cried out to God for help, and who else should he have called on? He found that cry was not wasted. The Lord helped him in his trouble by moving the captains to turn away from him (2 Chronicles 18:31).

God has every person’s heart in his hand, and he turns them wherever he pleases, even against their first intentions, to carry out his purposes. Many people are moved in ways they cannot explain, and others cannot explain it either, but an unseen power is at work.

On the other hand, wicked Ahab disguised himself and armed himself, thinking he would protect himself, and yet he was killed (2 Chronicles 18:33). No skill and no armor can save those whom God has decided to bring down. What can harm those whom God will protect? And what can protect those whom God will destroy? Jehoshaphat was safe in his robes, while Ahab was killed in his armor, for the race does not go to the swift, and the battle does not go to the strong.