Micaiah
The lone prophet who told a king the truth when four hundred others told him what he wanted to hear.
Old Testament · c. 850 BC · 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles · Also known as Micaiah son of Imlah
About Micaiah
Ahab of Israel and Jehoshaphat of Judah planned to retake Ramothgilead. Four hundred prophets promised victory, but Jehoshaphat asked for "a prophet of the LORD besides." Ahab said, "There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah... but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil." Micaiah declared, "As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak." He saw "all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd," and described a vision of the LORD’s heavenly council. He was struck on the cheek and thrown into prison: "If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me." Ahab died in the battle.
Ahab’s four hundred court prophets were paid to please the king. Micaiah’s story is a warning against hearing only what we want to hear. The same account appears in 2 Chronicles 18.
The story
But I hate him
Four hundred prophets told Ahab, "Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king." Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?" Ahab said, "There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil."
1 Kings 22:6-8
What the LORD saith unto me
The messenger urged Micaiah to agree with the others. "And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak." Before the kings he first said, "Go, and prosper," but when Ahab pressed him for the truth, he said, "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd."
1 Kings 22:13-17
I saw the LORD sitting on his throne
"I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left." Micaiah described a spirit going out to be "a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets," a picture of God giving Ahab over to the voices he preferred.
1 Kings 22:19-23
If thou return at all in peace
"But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek." Ahab ordered, "Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace." Micaiah answered, "If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me." In the battle, though disguised, Ahab was struck by an arrow drawn "at a venture," and died.
1 Kings 22:24-37
Key moments
- Summoned before two kings: "But I hate him." (1 Kings 22:8)
- Refuses to flatter: "What the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak." (1 Kings 22:14)
- Foretells defeat: "As sheep that have not a shepherd." (1 Kings 22:17)
- Struck and imprisoned: "Bread of affliction." (1 Kings 22:24-27)
- Proved right: Ahab dies in battle. (1 Kings 22:34-37)
Questions about Micaiah
In meetBible these answers are given in Micaiah’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did Ahab hate you?
He said it himself: "I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil." He wanted prophets who agreed with him, and he had four hundred. I had only one rule: "As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak." When the truth is unwelcome, it’s tempting to hate the messenger.
Why did you first say "Go, and prosper"?
I echoed the four hundred: "Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king." Ahab heard the mockery in it at once: "How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?" Then I told him plainly: "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd."
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with 1 Kings 22:1-38.