Immerse: Kingdoms Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 233
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SAMUEL–KINGS
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When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, “Micaiah,
should we go to war against R amoth-gilead, or should we hold back?”
Micaiah replied sarcastically, “Yes, go up and be victorious, for the Lord
will give the king victory!”
But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you
speak only the truth to me when you speak for the Lord?”
Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the
mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’”
“Didn’t I tell you?” the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. “He
never prophesies anything but trouble for me.”
Then Micaiah continued, “Listen to what the Lord says! I saw the
Lord sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on
his right and on his left. And the Lord said, ‘Who can entice Ahab to go
into battle against R amoth-gilead so he can be killed?’
“There were many suggestions, and finally a spirit approached the Lord
and said, ‘I can do it!’
“‘How will you do this?’ the Lord asked.
“And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets
to speak lies.’
“‘You will succeed,’ said the Lord. ‘Go ahead and do it.’
“So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your
prophets. For the Lord has pronounced your doom.”
Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him
across the face. “Since when did the Spirit of the Lord leave me to speak
to you?” he demanded.
And Micaiah replied, “You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!”
“Arrest him!” the king of Israel ordered. “Take him back to Amon, the
governor of the city, and to my son Joash. Give them this order from the
king: ‘Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water
until I return safely from the battle!’”
But Micaiah replied, “If you return safely, it will mean that the Lord
has not spoken through me!” Then he added to those standing around,
“Everyone mark my words!”
So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies
against R amoth-gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “As we go
into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you
wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they
went into battle.
Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his thirty-two
chariot commanders: “Attack only the king of Israel. Don’t bother with