1Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance ; and he joined affinity with Ahab. 2And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria . And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance , and for the people that were with him , and moved him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead . 3And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah , Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead ? And he answered him , I am as thou art, and my people as thy people ; and we will be with thee in the war . 4And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel , Inquire first , I pray thee , for the word of Jehovah .
The Prophecy of Micaiah
5Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together , four hundred men , and said unto them , Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle , or shall I forbear ? And they said, Go up ; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king . 6But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides , that we may inquire of him ? 7And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat , There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah : but I hate him ; for he never prophesieth good concerning me , but always evil : the same is Micaiah the son of Imla . And Jehoshaphat said , Let not the king say so . 8Then the king of Israel called an officer , and said , Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla . 9Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne , arrayed in their robes, and they were sitting in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria ; and all the prophets were prophesying before them . 10And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron and said, Thus saith Jehovah , With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed . 11And all the prophets prophesied so , saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead , and prosper ; for Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king . 12And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him , saying , Behold , the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth : let thy word therefore , I pray thee , be like one of theirs , and speak thou good . 13And Micaiah said , As Jehovah liveth , what my God saith , that will I speak . 14And when he was come to the king , the king said unto him , Micaiah , shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle , or shall I forbear ? And he said, Go ye up , and prosper ; and they shall be delivered into your hand .
The Battle and Its Consequences
15And the king said to him , How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of Jehovah ? 16And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains , as sheep that have no shepherd : and Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace . 17And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me , but evil ? 18And Micaiah said , Therefore hear ye the word of Jehovah : I saw Jehovah sitting upon his throne , and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left . 19And Jehovah said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel , that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead ? And one spake saying after this manner , and another saying after that manner . 20And there came forth a spirit , and stood before Jehovah , and said , I will entice him . And Jehovah said unto him , Wherewith ? 21And he said , I will go forth , and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets . And he said , Thou shalt entice him , and shalt prevail also : go forth , and do so . 22Now therefore , behold , Jehovah hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets ; and Jehovah hath spoken evil concerning thee . 23Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near , and smote Micaiah upon the cheek , and said , Which way went the Spirit of Jehovah from me to speak unto thee ? 24And Micaiah said, Behold , thou shalt see on that day , when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. 25And the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah , and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city , and to Joash the king ’s son ; 26and say , Thus saith the king , Put this fellow in the prison , and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction , until I return in peace . 27And Micaiah said , If thou return at all in peace , Jehovah hath not spoken by me . And he said , Hear , ye peoples , all of you . 28So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead . 29And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat , I will disguise myself, and go into the battle ; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle . 30Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots , saying, Fight neither with small nor great , save only with the king of Israel . 31And it came to pass , when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat , that they said, It is the king of Israel . Therefore they turned about to fight against him : but Jehoshaphat cried out , and Jehovah helped him ; and God moved them to depart from him . 32And it came to pass , when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel , that they turned back from pursuing him . 33And a certain man drew his bow at a venture , and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the armor : wherefore he said to the driver of the chariot , Turn thy hand , and carry me out of the host ; for I am sore wounded . 34And the battle increased that day : howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even ; and about the time of the going down of the sun he died .