1 Kings 22:21

21 until one particular spirit approached the LORD and said, ‘I'll persuade him.' ‘How?' the LORD asked.

1 Kings 22:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 22:21

And there came forth a spirit
Not from the heavenly host on the right hand or the left, for they are pure and holy spirits, and impeccable, and cannot lie or deceive; but the evil spirit, Satan, the father of lies, the old deceiver, who came forth from his own place and his own company:

and stood before the Lord
presented himself before him, as Satan did, ( Job 1:6 ) ,

and said, l will persuade him;
or prevail upon him; evil spirits love to be employed in doing harm to men, they go about seeking whom they may devour. This could not be the spirit of Naboth, as the Jews say {q}, seeking revenge on Ahab; that was in a state of happiness, could not move from thence, and be capable of sinning.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 89. 1. & 102. 2. Targum in 2 Chron. xviii. 20.

1 Kings 22:21 In-Context

19 Then Micaiah said, "Listen now to the LORD's word: I saw the LORD enthroned with all the heavenly forces stationed beside him, at his right and at his left.

20 The LORD said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab so that he attacks Ramoth-gilead and dies there?' There were many suggestions

21 until one particular spirit approached the LORD and said, ‘I'll persuade him.' ‘How?' the LORD asked.

22 ‘I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets,' he said. The LORD agreed, ‘You will succeed in persuading him! Go ahead!'

23 So now, since the LORD has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of every one of these prophets of yours, it is the LORD who has pronounced disaster against you!"