11
All the prophets chimed in, "Yes! Go for Ramoth Gilead! An easy victory! God's gift to the king!"
12
The messenger who went to get Micaiah told him, "The prophets have all said Yes to the king. Make it unanimous - vote Yes!"
13
But Micaiah said, "As sure as God lives, what God says, I'll say."
14
With Micaiah before him, the king asked him, "So, Micaiah - do we attack Ramoth Gilead? Or do we hold back?" "Go ahead," he said, "an easy victory! God's gift to the king."
15
"Not so fast," said the king. "How many times have I made you promise under oath to tell me the truth and nothing but the truth?"
16
"All right," said Micaiah, "since you insist . . . I saw all of Israel scattered over the hills, sheep with no shepherd. Then God spoke, 'These poor people have no one to tell them what to do. Let them go home and do the best they can for themselves.'"
17
The king of Israel turned to Jehoshaphat, "See! What did I tell you? He never has a good word for me from God, only doom."
18
Micaiah kept on, "I'm not done yet; listen to God's word: I saw God enthroned, and all the Angel Armies of heaven standing at attention, ranged on his right and his left.
19
And God said, "How can we seduce Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead?" Some said this, and some said that.
20
Then a bold angel stepped out, stood before God, and said, "I'll seduce him." "And how will you do it?" said God.
21
"Easy," said the angel, "I'll get all the prophets to lie." "That should do it," said God; "On your way - seduce him!"