1 Now 1Jehoshaphathadgreatriches and honor; and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab.
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2Some yearslater he wentdown to visit Ahab at Samaria. And Ahabslaughteredmanysheep and oxen for him and the peoplewho were with him, and induced him to go up againstRamoth-gilead.
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Ahabking of Israelsaid to Jehoshaphatking of Judah, "Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead?" And he said to him, "I am as you are, and my people as your people, and we will be with you in the battle."
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Moreover, Jehoshaphatsaid to the king of Israel, "Pleaseinquirefirst for the word of the LORD."
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Then the king of Israelassembled the prophets, fourhundredmen, and said to them, "Shall we goagainstRamoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?" And they said, "Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king."
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But Jehoshaphatsaid, "Is there not yet a prophet of the LORDhere that we may inquire of him?"
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The king of Israelsaid to Jehoshaphat, "There is yetoneman by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he neverprophesiesgoodconcerning me but always*evil. He is Micaiah, son of Imla." But Jehoshaphatsaid, "Let not the kingsayso."
Ahab's False Prophets Assure Victory
8 Then the king of Israelcalled an officer and said, "BringquicklyMicaiah, Imla'sson."
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Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sittingeach on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they were sitting3at the threshingfloor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesyingbefore them.
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Zedekiah the son of Chenaanahmadehorns of iron for himself and said, "Thussays the LORD, 'With these you shall gore the Arameansuntil they are consumed.' "
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All the prophets were prophesyingthus, saying, "Go up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, for the LORD will give it into the hand of the king."
Micaiah Brings Word from God
12 Then the messengerwhowent to summonMicaiahspoke to him saying, "Behold, the words of the prophets are uniformly*favorable to the king. So please let your word be like one of them and speakfavorably."
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But Micaiahsaid, "As the LORDlives, 4what my Godsays, that I will speak."
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When he came to the king, the kingsaid to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?" He said, "Go up and succeed, for they will be given into your hand."
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Then the kingsaid to him, "How*many*times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"
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So he said, "I sawallIsraelScattered on the mountains, 5Like sheepwhichhavenoshepherd; And the LORDsaid, 'These have nomaster. Let each of them return to his house in peace.' "
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Then the king of Israelsaid to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesygoodconcerning me, but evil?"
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Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. 6I saw the LORDsitting on His throne, and all the host of heavenstanding on His right and on His left.
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"The LORDsaid, 'Who will enticeAhabking of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And onesaidthis while anothersaid that.
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"Then a 7spiritcameforward and stoodbefore the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' And the LORDsaid to him, 'How?'
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"He said, 'I will go and be 8a deceivingspirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Then He said, 'You are to entice him and prevailalso. Go and doso.'
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"Now therefore, behold, 9the LORD has put a deceivingspirit in the mouth of these your prophets, for the LORD has proclaimeddisasteragainst you."
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Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanahcamenear and 10struckMicaiah on the cheek and said, "How* did the Spirit of the LORDpass from me to speak to you?"
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Micaiahsaid, "Behold, you will see on that daywhen you enter an innerroom to hide yourself."
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Then the king of Israelsaid, "11TakeMicaiah and return him to Amon12the governor of the city and to Joash the king'sson;
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and say, 'Thussays the king, "13Putthis man in prison* and feed him sparingly with bread and wateruntil I returnsafely.""'
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Micaiahsaid, "If you indeedreturnsafely, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "14Listen, all you people."