Ahab and the False Prophets
Peace with Aram lasts three years before Ahab proposes a joint campaign with Jehoshaphat to recover Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat agrees in principle but asks that the king first seek the LORD’s word.
T1hen three years passed without war between Aram and Israel. 2However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to visit the king of Israel, 3who said to his servants, “Do you not know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?” 4So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth-gilead?” 5But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” 6So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?”
Jehoshaphat presses for a true prophet of the LORD, and Ahab reluctantly names Micaiah, whom he resents for speaking ill of him. While Micaiah is summoned, the kings sit in state as the gathered prophets promise victory with theatrical certainty.
7But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?” 8The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” 9So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.” 10Dressed in royal attire, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. 11Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’” 12And all the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph, for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.”