Micaiah Warns Ahab

For three years, Syria and Israel had no war. In the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah came to Ahab king of Israel. Chronicles says they were allied, and Ahab urged him to join a battle for Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat agreed to go, but first asked that they seek Yahweh’s word.

Ahab gathered about four hundred prophets, and they all said he should go up and win. But Jehoshaphat asked if there was still a prophet of Yahweh to consult. Ahab said there was one, Micaiah son of Imlah, but he hated hearing from him because Micaiah never spoke good about him. Even so, Ahab sent for Micaiah.

The two kings sat in robes at the gate of Samaria while the prophets spoke. Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made iron horns and acted out victory over Syria. On the way, the messenger told Micaiah to agree with the others, but Micaiah said he would speak only what Yahweh gave him to say.

At first Micaiah answered as the others had, but when Ahab demanded the truth, Micaiah said he saw Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Then he told of a vision of Yahweh’s throne and said a lying spirit had filled these prophets’ mouths. Zedekiah struck him. Ahab ordered Micaiah put in prison on hardship rations until he returned in peace, and Micaiah answered that if Ahab returned in peace, Yahweh had not spoken by him.

Ahab and Jehoshaphat went to Ramoth Gilead. Ahab disguised himself, but Jehoshaphat wore his royal robes. The Syrian chariot captains turned to fight Jehoshaphat, but when he cried out, they turned away. Chronicles adds that Yahweh helped him. Meanwhile, a man drew his bow at random and struck Ahab between the joints of his armour. Ahab stayed propped up in his chariot until evening and died.

At sunset the army scattered home, and Ahab was buried in Samaria. Later his chariot was washed there, and dogs licked up his blood, as Yahweh had spoken.