1Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance , and 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 he had with him, and persuaded 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 , Enquire , I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day .
The Prophecy of Micaiah
5Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets 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 king’s hand . 6But Jehoshaphat said , Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? 7And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat , There is yet one man , by whom we may enquire of the LORD : but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil : the same is Micaiah the son of Imla . And Jehoshaphat said , Let not the king say so. 8And the king of Israel called for one of his officers , and said , Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla . 9And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne , clothed in their robes , and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria ; and all the prophets prophesied before them. 10And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron , and said , Thus saith the LORD , With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed . 11And all the prophets prophesied so, saying , Go up to Ramoth-gilead , and prosper : for the LORD shall 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 assent ; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good . 13And Micaiah said , As the LORD liveth , even 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 say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD ? 16Then he said , I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains , as sheep that have no shepherd : and the LORD said , These have no master ; let them return therefore 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 unto me, but evil ? 18Again he said , Therefore hear the word of the LORD ; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne , and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left . 19And the LORD 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 . 20Then there came out a spirit , and stood before the LORD , and said , I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? 21And he said , I will go out , and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets . And the Lord said , Thou shalt entice him , and thou shalt also prevail : go out , and do even so. 22Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets , and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee. 23Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near , and smote Micaiah upon the cheek , and said , Which way went the Spirit of the LORD 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. 25Then the king of Israel said , Take ye Micaiah , and carry him back to 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 certainly return in peace , then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said , Hearken , all ye people . 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 will go to the battle ; but put thou on thy robes . So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle . 30Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying , Fight ye not with small or 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 compassed about him to fight : but Jehoshaphat cried out , and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. 32For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel , they turned back again from pursuing him. 33And a certain man drew a bow at a venture , and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness : therefore he said to his chariot man , Turn thine hand , that thou mayest carry me out of the host ; for I am 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 sun going down he died .