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was Jehohanan, who commanded 280,000
troops. 16 Next was Amasiah son of Zicri,
who volunteered for the Lord’s service,
with 200,000 troops under his command.
17 From Benjamin there were 200,000 troops
equipped with bows and shields. They were
under the command of Eliada, a veteran
soldier. 18 Next in command was Jehozabad,
who commanded 180,000 armed men.
were the troops stationed in Jerusalem
to serve the king, besides those Jehoshaphat stationed in the fortified towns throughout Judah.
2 CHR ONICL ES 18
said, “go up to Ramoth-gilead and be victorious, for the Lord will give the king victory!”
12 Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get
Micaiah said to him, “Look, all the prophets are
promising victory for the king. Be sure that you
agree with them and promise success.”
— promises —
from God
19 These
Jehoshaphat and Ahab
Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and
high esteem, and he made an alliance
with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry
Ahab’s daughter. 2 A few years later he went to
Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great
banquet for him and his officials. They butchered great numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle
for the feast. Then Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to
join forces with him to recover Ramoth-gilead.
3 “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?”
King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of
Judah.
Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course! You
and I are as one, and my troops are your troops.
We will certainly join you in battle.” 4 Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what
the Lord says.”
5 So the king of Israel summoned the prophets,
400 of them, and asked them, “Should we go to
war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold
back?”
They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! God
will give the king victory.”
6 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a
prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him
the same question.”
7 The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat,
“There is one more man who could consult the
Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies
anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
Jehoshaphat replied, “That’s not the way a
king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.”
8 So the king of Israel called one of his officials
and said, “Quick! Bring Micaiah son of Imlah.”
18
Micaiah Prophesies against Ahab
9 King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on
thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab’s prophets were prophesying
there in front of them. 10 One of them, Zedekiah
son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, “This is what the Lord says: With these
horns you will gore the Arameans to death!”
11 All the other prophets agreed. “Yes,” they
18:16 Hebrew These people have no master.
“The eyes of the Lord
search the whole earth in
order to strengthen those
whose hearts are fully
committed to him.”
2 C H R O N I C LE S 1 6:9
13 But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord
lives, I will say only what my God says.”
14 When Micaiah arrived before the king,
Ahab asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war
against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?”
Micaiah replied sarcastically, “Yes, go up
and be victorious, for you will have victory over
them!”
15 But the king replied sharply, “How many
times must I demand that you speak only the
truth to me when you speak for the Lord?”
16 Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw
all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep
without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their
master has been killed.* Send them home in
peace.’”
17 “Didn’t I tell you?” the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. “He never prophesies
anything but trouble for me.”
18 Then Micaiah continued, “Listen to what the
Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne
with all the armies of heaven around him, on his
right and on his left. 19 And the Lord said, ‘Who
can entice King Ahab of Israel to go into battle
against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’
“There were many suggestions, 20 and finally a
spirit approached the Lord and said, ‘I can do it!’
“‘How will you do this?’ the Lord asked.
21 “And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and
inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’
“‘You will succeed,’ said the Lord. ‘Go ahead
and do it.’
22 “So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit
in the mouths of your prophets. For the Lord
has pronounced your doom.”
23 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked
up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face.
“Since when did the Spirit of the Lord leave me
to speak to you?” he demanded.