Micaiah Prophesies Defeat of Ahab

Jehoshaphat was already in alliance with Ahab, this alliance having been formed by the marriage of Ahab's daughter Athaliah to Jehoshaphat's son and heir, Jehoram (2 Kings 8:18, 27). Since Ahaziah, the son of this union, was 22 years old at the time of his accession (2 Kings 8:26), the alliance must have been in existence for some time. The fact that the kings succeeding Jehoshaphat in Judah are Jehoram and Ahaziah (2 Kings 8:16, 25), and that Ahab's two sons who succeeded him on the throne were named Ahaziah and Joram (1 Kings 22:40 2 Kings 1:17 3:1), is a further indication of the friendship existing between the two royal houses at this time.

Judah as well as Israel seems to have had an army equipped with both cavalry and chariots. Jehoshaphat was a strong military leader, feared and respected by the nations about (2 Chron. 17:10—19). Jehoshaphat, with his characteristic piety (1 Kings 22:43 cf. 2 Chron. 17:3—9 19:3—11 20:5—32), suggested to Ahab that inquiry be made of the Lord before the expedition was undertaken, and that the inquiry be made that day. Prophets were called. These were probably not prophets of Baal, inasmuch as it is not likely that Ahab would have insulted Jehoshaphat, who had distinctly asked for a prophet of the Lord (Yahweh), by summoning the avowed prophets of a heathen deity. They claimed to speak in the name of Jehovah, but they were false prophets who predicted God would "deliver". The king of Judah is distinctly dissatisfied with the prophets of Israel, thus indicating that they must be placed in an entirely different category from the prophets of the true God and the only real "Lord," Jehovah. From here on, however, the word Yahweh is used by both the true prophet of Jehovah and the others for the God they worship, as "Lord" (vs. 8, 11, 12, 14—17, 19, 21, 24). Son a prophet of Yahweh is called. There was one man, according to Ahab, of whom it was possible to inquire of Yahweh, but Ahab did not like him. This man was a true prophet of Jehovah. Josephus asserts that it was Micaiah (Antiquities viii. 14. 5) who had prophesied evil of Ahab for the king's unwise conduct toward Benhadad (ch. 20:35—43). Ahab hated Micaiah. Evil usually hates the good. Micaiah was hated by Ahab because his words were not in line with the desires of Israel's wicked king, who wanted his own way, and wanted prophets who would prophesy accordingly.

Micaiah appears, in dramatic irony, to take up and mock the utterance of the false prophets. "Yes, 'go, and prosper'—that is what the prophets have been saying to you—and 'the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.' Just try it and see what will happen" One can hear the contempt and scorn in Micaiah's voice as he gives again the message the king had heard from "all the prophets," the one message that he wanted to hear. Ahab seems to have sensed at once that the prophet spoke in irony. Ahab was well enough acquainted with God, and with men who falsely claimed to speak in His name, to know that Micaiah did not intend his words to be taken as true.

Micaiah now changes his tone and becomes profoundly serious. He delivers the message that was given him by God. Israel would be scattered upon the hills, and would return to their homes without their king. Ahab by his act of violence toward Micaiah reveals the wicked man that he is. He places in prison the prophet whose counsel, if heeded, would have saved his life. Ahab wants Israel to think he does not believe the prophet and that he is certain that he will safely return. But his subsequent conduct (v. 30) shows that he probably had serious misgivings as to the outcome of the engagement to which he was committing himself. Micaiah accepts the king's challenge, and he wants all the people to take notice. If Ahab returns in peace, then he will admit that the Lord has not spoken by him and that he is a false prophet. The opposite, of course, also holds true. If the king does not return in peace, then the whole nation may know that the 400 prophets who have spoken so loudly and boldly are nothing but deceivers and that the Lord is not with them. It is a fair test (Deut. 18:22).