Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Kings 22

Three years - These must be counted from the end of Ben-hadad's second campaign (1 Kings 20:34). They were not full years, as is evident from the next verse. The first year was likely that of Ben-hadad’s dismissal after his defeat, the second was a year of actual peace, and the third was the year in which Jehoshaphat paid his visit and the expedition to Ramoth-gilead took place.

This pause in the war between Israel and Syria was perhaps the result of a common danger. It was probably in the year following Ben-hadad’s dismissal by Ahab that the first great Assyrian expedition into this region occurred. Shalmaneser II relates that on his first invasion of southern Syria, he was met by the combined forces of Ben-hadad, Ahab, the king of Hamath, the kings of the Hittites, and others. These forces gave him battle but suffered a defeat.

This visit indicates a complete change in the relationship that had previously existed between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The common danger the two kingdoms faced from the growing power of Syria had likely led them to set aside their differences. Jehoshaphat’s eldest son, Jehoram, was married to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab. However, this family bond had apparently not yet led to any close intimacy, much less to any joint military expeditions. Jehoshaphat seems to have taken no part in Ahab's former Syrian wars, nor did he join in the great league against the Assyrians (see note on 1 Kings 22:1). His visit on this occasion was likely one of simple friendliness, without any political objective.

Ahab, however, turned the visit to his political advantage. From this time until Ahab’s dynasty was displaced by Jehu, very close relations existed between the two kingdoms (1 Kings 22:49; 2 Kings 3:7; 2 Kings 8:28–29; 2 Chronicles 20:36, etc.).

According to the terms of Ahab’s covenant with Ben-hadad, Ramoth in Gilead should have been restored long before now (1 Kings 20:34). Therefore, the claim “is ours” means, “it belongs to us by right, even though the Syrians still possess it.”

Ahab, well aware of Syria's military strength and feeling he could no longer expect divine aid (1 Kings 20:42; 1 Kings 21:21), requested help from Jehoshaphat, whose military resources were very great (2 Chronicles 17:12–19). Jehoshaphat’s response was one of complete agreement, without any reservation (compare 2 Chronicles 18:3).

Jehoshaphat was later rebuked for consenting to help the ungodly (2 Chronicles 19:2). He probably acted not merely out of a desire to please, but from a belief that this action would advance the interests of his own kingdom, since the power of Syria was very menacing at this time.

Jehoshaphat, with characteristic piety (1 Kings 22:43), takes advantage of his position as Ahab’s friend and ally to suggest an inquiry of the Lord (Yahweh) before the expedition is undertaken. To prevent Ahab from agreeing in word only while delaying the actual inquiry, he asks to have the prophets called in at once: “today.”