1-3. But even though Jehoshaphat was very rich and much honored, he made a marriage alliance with Ahab of Israel. Some time later he paid a visit to Ahab at Samaria. Ahab celebrated his visit with a feast—a huge barbecue with all the lamb and beef you could eat. But Ahab had a hidden agenda; he wanted Jehoshaphat’s support in attacking Ramoth Gilead. Then Ahab brought it into the open: “Will you join me in attacking Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat said, “You bet. I’m with you all the way; you can count on me and my troops.”
4. Then Jehoshaphat said, “But before you do anything, ask God for guidance.”
5. 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.”
6. But Jehoshaphat dragged his feet, “Is there another prophet of God around here we can consult? Let’s get a second opinion.”
7. The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, “As a matter of fact, there is another. 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.
8. So the king of Israel ordered one of his men, “Quickly, get Micaiah son of Imlah.”
12. The messenger who went to get Micaiah told him, “The prophets have all said Yes to the king. Make it unanimous—vote Yes!”
13. But Micaiah said, “As sure as God lives, what God says, I’ll say.”
14. With Micaiah before him, the king asked him, “So, Micaiah—do we attack Ramoth Gilead? Or do we hold back?”“Go ahead,” he said, “an easy victory! God’s gift to the king.”
15. “Not so fast,” said the king. “How many times have I made you promise under oath to tell me the truth and nothing but the truth?”
16. “All right,” said Micaiah, “since you insist . . .I saw all of Israel scattered over the hills,sheep with no shepherd.Then God spoke, ‘These poor peoplehave no one to tell them what to do.Let them go home and dothe best they can for themselves.’”
17. The king of Israel turned to Jehoshaphat, “See! What did I tell you? He never has a good word for me from God, only doom.”
18-21. 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 attention,ranged 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!”
22. “And that’s what has happened. God filled the mouths of your puppet prophets with seductive lies. God has pronounced your doom.”
23. Just then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah came up and slapped Micaiah in the face, saying, “Since when did the Spirit of God leave me and take up with you?”
24. Micaiah said, “You’ll know soon enough; you’ll know it when you’re frantically and futilely looking for a place to hide.”