Macaiah Warns Ahab
April 30, 2021
Commentary
There had been three years without any war between Israel and Syria (v. 1). Ahab decided to regain Israel’s lost territory of Ramoth-gilead, 28 miles east of the Jordan River and l5 miles south of the Sea of Galilee (vv. 2-3). In order to have an army large enough to defeat the Arameans Ahab asked Jehosaphat, the king of Judah, to join him (vv. 4-5). Jehosaphat agreed to compromise for political reasons even though he should not have done so for spiritual reasons, he was a godly king, faithful to the Lord.
However, Jehosaphat wanted divine counsel from the Lord before they went to war. Ahab didn’t seem to be concerned about God’s approval but in order to satisfy Jehosaphat he called in 400 prophets (v. 6). These were evidently apostate prophets of the Lord. They were not concerned about relating the true Word of the Lord but wanted to give their king the kind of advice they thought he wanted to hear which is what often happens when we agree to compromise (vv. 7-13). They all agreed that he should go to battle for Ramoth-gilead and that the Lord would give him great success.
Jehosaphat was not convinced and so he requested a true prophet of the Lord (v. 7). Against Ahab’s wishes Micaiah was asked for his counsel. He did not speak of military success but predicted the death of Ahab and the scattering of Israel’s army (vv. 14-23). Because of this prediction Micaiah was imprisoned and Ahab and Jehosaphat went off to battle (vv. 24-29). But Micaiah said, “If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Take heed, all you people!”
Application
Although Ahab compromised temporarily he still maintained the system of false prophets and these prophets eventually led him to his own ruin. If I am tempted to compromise I need to remove myself from the thing that has caused me to waver and avoid even the appearance of evil (l Thess. 5:22).
1 Kings 22:1– 29 (NET)
1 There was no war between Syria and Israel for three years. 2 In the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah came down to visit the king of Israel. 3 The king of Israel said to his servants, “Surely you recognize that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us, though we are hesitant to reclaim it from the king of Syria.” 4 Then he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to attack Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I will support you; my army and horses are at your disposal.” 5 But then Jehoshaphat said to Israel’s king, “Please seek a message from the Lord this very day.” 6 So the king of Israel assembled about 400 prophets and asked them, “Should I attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” They said, “Attack! The Sovereign One will hand it over to the king.” 7 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord still here, that we may ask him?” 8 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can seek the Lord’s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.” Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say such things.” 9 The king of Israel summoned an official and said, “Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah.”
10 Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, dressed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed.’” 12 All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Attack Ramoth Gilead! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king.” 13 Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the prophets are in complete agreement that the king will succeed. Your words must agree with theirs; you must predict success.” 14 But Micaiah said, “As certainly as the Lord lives, I will say what the Lord tells me to say.”
15 When he came before the king, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” He answered him, “Attack! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king.” 16 The king said to him, “How many times must I make you solemnly promise in the name of the Lord to tell me only the truth?” 17 Micaiah said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. Then the Lord said, ‘They have no master. They should go home in peace.’” 18 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster?” 19 Micaiah said, “That being the case, listen to the Lord’s message. I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, with all the heavenly assembly standing beside him on his right and on his left. 20 The Lord said, ‘Who will deceive Ahab, so he will attack Ramoth Gilead and die there?’ One said this and another that. 21 Then a spirit stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, ‘I will deceive him.’ 22 The Lord asked him, ‘How?’ He replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ The Lord said, ‘Deceive and overpower him. Go out and do as you have proposed.’ 23 So now, look, the Lord has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, but the Lord has decreed disaster for you.” 24 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said, “Which way did the Lord’s Spirit go when he went from me to speak to you?” 25 Micaiah replied, “Look, you will see in the day when you go into an inner room to hide.” 26 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the city official and Joash the king’s son. 27 Say, ‘This is what the king says, “Put this man in prison. Give him only a little bread and water until I safely return.”’” 28 Micaiah said, “If you really do safely return, then the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take note, all you people.”
29 The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah attacked Ramoth Gilead.