6. The king of Israel got the prophets together—all four hundred of them—and put the question to them: “Should I attack Ramoth Gilead? Or should I hold back?”“Go for it,” they said. “God will hand it over to the king.”
7. But Jehoshaphat dragged his heels: “Is there still another prophet of God around here we can consult?”
8. The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, “As a matter of fact, there is still one such man. But I hate him. He never preaches anything good to me, only doom, doom, doom—Micaiah son of Imlah.”“The king shouldn’t talk about a prophet like that,” said Jehoshaphat.
9. So the king of Israel ordered one of his men, “On the double! Get Micaiah son of Imlah.”
19-23. Micaiah kept on: “I’m not done yet; listen to God’s word:I saw God enthroned,and all the angel armies of heavenStanding at attentionranged on his right and his left.And God said, ‘How can we seduce Ahabinto attacking Ramoth Gilead?’Some said this,and some said that.Then a bold angel stepped out,stood before God, and said,‘I’ll seduce him.’‘And how will you do it?’ said God.‘Easy,’ said the angel,‘I’ll get all the prophets to lie.’‘That should do it,’ said God.‘On your way—seduce him!’“And that’s what has happened. God filled the mouths of your puppet prophets with seductive lies. God has pronounced your doom.”
24. Just then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah came up and punched Micaiah in the nose, saying, “Since when did the Spirit of God leave me and take up with you?”
25. Micaiah said, “You’ll know soon enough; you’ll know it when you’re frantically and futilely looking for a place to hide.”
26-27. The king of Israel had heard enough: “Get Micaiah out of here! Turn him over to Amon the city magistrate and to Joash the king’s son with this message, ‘King’s orders: Lock him up in jail; keep him on bread and water until I’m back in one piece.’”
28. Micaiah said, “If you ever get back in one piece, I’m no prophet of God.”He added,“When it happens, O people, remember where you heard it!”