1 Kings 22:16

16 But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the LORD ?”

1 Kings 22:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 22:16

And the king said unto him, how many times shall I adjure
thee
Not that he had as yet adjured him at all, or not till now; but he asks him how often he must be obliged to do it; and now he adjures him once for all, that he might not be forced to repeat it:

that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the
Lord?
for he observed he did not speak in the name of the Lord before, and what he said was not in a serious but ludicrous manner, and not to be regarded as truth.

1 Kings 22:16 In-Context

14 But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what the LORD tells me to say.”

15 When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we hold back?” Micaiah replied sarcastically, “Yes, go up and be victorious, for the LORD will give the king victory!”

16 But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the LORD ?”

17 Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’”

18 “Didn’t I tell you?” the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. “He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.”