1 Kings 22:12-22

12 All the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramot-Gil`ad, and prosper; for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.

13 The messenger who went to call Mikhayahu spoke to him, saying, See now, the words of the prophets [declare] good to the king with one mouth: please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak you good.

14 Mikhayahu said, As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that will I speak.

15 When he was come to the king, the king said to him, Mikhayahu, shall we go to Ramot-Gil`ad to battle, or shall we forbear? He answered him, Go up and prosper; and the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.

16 The king said to him, How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?

17 He said, I saw all Yisra'el scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in shalom.

18 The king of Yisra'el said to Yehoshafat, Didn't I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?

19 [Mikhayahu] said, Therefore hear you the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

20 The LORD said, Who shall entice Ach'av, that he may go up and fall at Ramot-Gil`ad? One said on this manner; and another said on that manner.

21 There came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him.

22 The LORD said to him, 'How?' He said, 'I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' He said, 'You shall entice him, and shall prevail also: go forth, and do so.'

1 Kings 22:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 22

This chapter relates, that after three years' peace with the king of Syria, Ahab was inclined to go to war with him, to take Ramothgilead out of his hands; and he drew in Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to join him in it, 1Ki 22:1-4, but before they went into it, they took advice, Ahab of his four hundred prophets, which Jehoshaphat not being satisfied with, a true prophet of the Lord, Micahah, was sent for, 1Ki 22:5-14 who, when he came, jeered Ahab with what his prophets had said to him; intimated that he should be killed, and explained it to him how he came to be deceived by his prophets, 1Ki 22:15-23 upon which he was smitten on the cheek by Zedekiah, one of the false prophets, and imprisoned by the order of Ahab, 1Ki 22:24-28, after which the two kings went to the battle, and Jehoshaphat was in great danger of his life; but Ahab was wounded, and died, 1Ki 22:29-40, and the chapter is concluded with an account of the reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, 1Ki 22:41-50, and of Ahaziah king of Israel, 1Ki 22:51-53.