In the midst of a complex military campaign and a severe crisis, the sudden appearance of a prophet in the army camp completely shifts the dynamics of leadership. Rather than relying solely on military strategy, the kings set aside their royal pride to seek divine guidance. When Jehoshaphat learns of Elisha's arrival, he immediately recognizes that the prophet carries the word of God. The primary approach among commentators is that Jehoshaphat understood Elisha had not joined the army to fight as a soldier. Instead, his presence in the camp was clearly driven by a divine command, purposed to bring about a miracle during their desperate situation [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, it was evident that Elisha was filled with the spirit of his master, Elijah, carrying that same recognizable prophetic power [אלשיך, מלבי״ם].
Recognizing the gravity of the moment, the leaders break standard protocol. Normally, a king would summon a prophet to the command tent. Here, however, the kings step down from their horses and chariots and walk to the prophet themselves. This humbling action is driven both by the overwhelming distress they face and by a profound respect for God and His prophet [רד״ק, אברבנאל, חומת אנך, מלבי״ם].
As the leaders approach, a striking contrast emerges in their royal standing. While the leaders of Israel and Edom retain their royal titles, Jehoshaphat is noted simply by his name. The primary approach among commentators is that Jehoshaphat, acting out of immense humility and reverence, actually removed his royal garments. He approached the prophet dressed as an ordinary person, refusing to flaunt his earthly status during a time of crisis and while standing before a representative of God [רד״ק, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם, אלשיך].
Other perspectives suggest that he simply spoke in his personal capacity, or that his royal title was omitted because a prior decree of death from an earlier war meant his kingship was already considered transferred to his son [רד״ק]. Interestingly, the leader of Edom retains the title of a king even though he was technically only a deputy appointed by the kings of Judah. He is granted this title because, in practice, he functioned as the actual king for the Edomite people [רד״ק].