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Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab

13 Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets, as if from one mouth, are good towards the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.” 14 But Micaiah said, “(A)As Yahweh lives, what (B)Yahweh says to me, that I shall speak.”

15 Then he came to the king, and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he said to him, “(C)Go up and succeed, and Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king.” 16 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear that you will speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?” 17 So he said,

“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
(D)Like sheep which have no shepherd.
And Yahweh said,
‘These have no master.
Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”

18 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “(E)Did I not say to you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

19 Then [a]Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of Yahweh. (F)I saw Yahweh sitting on His throne, and (G)all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. 20 And Yahweh said, ‘Who will entice Ahab so that he will go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before Yahweh and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and (H)be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You shall entice him and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ 23 So now, behold, (I)Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; but Yahweh has spoken calamity against you.”

24 Then (J)Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “(K)How did the Spirit of Yahweh pass from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you will see on that day when you (L)enter an inner room to hide.” 26 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the commander of the city and to Joash the king’s son; 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “(M)Put this man in prison and feed him [b]sparingly with bread and water until I come back safely.”’” 28 And Micaiah said, “(N)If you indeed return safely, Yahweh has not spoken by me.” And he said, “(O)Listen, all you people.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 22:19 Lit he
  2. 1 Kings 22:27 Lit with bread of affliction and water of affliction

Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab

13 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, (A)“As the Lord lives, (B)what the Lord says to me, that I will speak.” 15 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he answered him, “Go up and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 16 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” 17 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, (C)as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’” 18 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, (D)“Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” 19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: (E)I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, (F)and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 20 and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be (G)a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 23 Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.”

24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near (H)and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go (I)into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 26 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, (J)“Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, (K)until I come in peace.”’” 28 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, (L)the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, (M)“Hear, all you peoples!”

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