1 Kings 22:8-18

8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."

9 Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, "Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah."

10 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a vacant place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made himself horns of iron; and he said, "Thus saith the LORD: `With these shalt thou push the Syrians until thou have consumed them.'"

12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramothgilead and prosper, for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand."

13 And the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke unto him, saying, "Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth. Let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good."

14 And Micaiah said, "As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak."

15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, "Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear?" And he answered him, "Go, and prosper, for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king."

16 And the king said unto him, "How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?"

17 And he said, "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd. And the LORD said, `These have no master. Let them return every man to his house in peace.'"

18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?"

1 Kings 22:8-18 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.