17
Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "I told you that he never prophesies anything good for me; it's always something bad!"
18
Micaiah went on: "Now listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him.
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The Lord asked, "Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and get killed at Ramoth?' Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else,
20
until a spirit stepped forward, approached the Lord, and said, "I will deceive him.' "How?' the Lord asked.
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The spirit replied, "I will go and make all of Ahab's prophets tell lies.' The Lord said, "Go and deceive him. You will succeed.' "
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And Micaiah concluded: "This is what has happened. The Lord has made these prophets of yours lie to you. But he himself has decreed that you will meet with disaster!"
23
Then the prophet Zedekiah went up to Micaiah, slapped his face, and asked, "Since when did the Lord's spirit leave me and speak to you?"
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"You will find out when you go into some back room to hide," Micaiah replied.
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Then King Ahab ordered one of his officers, "Arrest Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Prince Joash.
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Tell them to throw him in prison and to put him on bread and water until I return safely."
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"If you return safely," Micaiah exclaimed, "then the Lord has not spoken through me!" And he added, "Listen, everyone, to what I have said!"