1 Kings 22:8

8 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man who can ask the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king shouldn't say that!" Jehoshaphat replied.

1 Kings 22:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 22:8

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, there is yet one
man (Micaiah the son of Imlah), by whom we may inquire of the Lord,
&c.] And but one in Samaria; Elijah and Elisha were elsewhere:

but I hate him, for he doth not prophesy of good concerning me, but
evil;
who is thought to be the same that was several times with him when engaged in the war with the king of Syria, ( 1 Kings 20:13 1 Kings 20:22 1 Kings 20:28 1 Kings 20:35 1 Kings 20:38 ) and each time, excepting the last, he brought him good tidings; but because, in his last message, he told him, that, since he had let Benhadad go, his life should go for his life, and his people for his people, for that he hated him:

and Jehoshaphat said, let not the king say so;
which was very modestly, though perhaps too gently, said; suggesting that the prophets of the Lord should be heard, respected, and honoured, let their message be as it would, since they spake not of their own mind and will, but what they were moved unto by the Spirit of God.

1 Kings 22:8 In-Context

6 So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about 400 men, and asked them, "Should I go against Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?" They replied, "March up, and the Lord will hand it over to the king."
7 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of Yahweh here any more? Let's ask him."
8 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man who can ask the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king shouldn't say that!" Jehoshaphat replied.
9 So the king of Israel called an officer and said, "Hurry [and get] Micaiah son of Imlah!"
10 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, clothed in royal attire, were each sitting on his own throne. They were on the threshing floor at the entrance to Samaria's gate, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them.
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