1 Kings 22:10

KJV

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} and Jehoshaphat {H3092} the king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} sat {H3427} each {H376} on his throne {H3678}, having put on {H3847} their robes {H899}, in a void place {H1637} in the entrance {H6607} of the gate {H8179} of Samaria {H8111}; and all the prophets {H5030} prophesied {H5012} before {H6440} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the king of Isra'el and Y'hoshafat the king of Y'hudah were each sitting on his throne, dressed in their royal robes, on a threshing-floor at the entrance to the gate of Shomron; and all the prophets were there, prophesying in their presence.

Berean Standard Bible

Dressed in royal attire, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them.

American Standard Version

Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 22:10 meticulously details the solemn and formal setting for a critical consultation between King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Positioned on their thrones, adorned in royal robes, within the public threshing floor at the gate of Samaria, the two monarchs convened a gathering of prophets. This scene establishes the gravity of the impending decision regarding the military campaign against Ramoth-Gilead, highlighting the ancient practice of seeking divine counsel through prophetic pronouncements before undertaking significant national endeavors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the dramatic prelude to one of the most poignant confrontations between true and false prophecy in the Old Testament. Following King Ahab's desire to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from the Syrians, he seeks an alliance with Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. Despite Jehoshaphat's initial reluctance and insistence on inquiring of the Lord, this verse sets the stage for a grand display of prophetic activity, most of which will prove to be deceitful. It immediately precedes the unanimous, yet false, prophecy of 400 prophets, and crucially, the solitary, truthful, and ultimately condemning word of Micaiah ben Imlah, who stands against the tide of popular opinion. The formal setting described here underscores the high stakes and the public nature of the impending prophetic test, where the very lives of kings and the fate of nations hang in the balance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, city gates were not merely points of entry but vibrant centers of public life, serving as marketplaces, judicial courts, and places for official assemblies and pronouncements. The "threshing floor" (Hebrew: _goren_), often an open, circular area near the city gate, was a communal space for agricultural processing but also frequently adapted for public gatherings due to its open and accessible nature. The act of kings sitting "each on his throne, having put on their robes" signifies a formal, authoritative, and public proceeding, emphasizing their royal status and the gravity of the occasion. Prophets played a crucial role in ancient Israelite society, serving as intermediaries between God and the people, particularly the kings, delivering divine messages concerning national policy, war, and justice. This scene reflects the cultural expectation that major decisions, especially military ones, would be preceded by an inquiry into the divine will.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several pivotal themes that unfold throughout the chapter and beyond. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Royal Authority and Responsibility**, as two kings, representing their respective nations, convene to make a weighty decision, underscoring the burden of leadership and the need for divine guidance. Secondly, it foregrounds the **Role of Prophets and Prophetic Discernment**. The presence of "all the prophets" immediately raises questions about the authenticity of their messages, setting up the critical test of distinguishing true prophecy from false, a theme central to the subsequent narrative (cf. [1 Kings 22:23](/1_kings/22-23 "1 Kings 22:23 - The Spirit of Deception")). Finally, the "void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria" symbolizes a **Public Forum for Truth and Deception**, where the spiritual battle for the kings' souls and the nation's future will be publicly waged, emphasizing the challenge of discerning God's true voice amidst popular consensus or political expediency, a challenge that resonates with warnings found in [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Testing a Prophet").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Void Place (Hebrew, _goren'_):** The KJV translation "void place" can be misleading, suggesting emptiness. The Hebrew word גֹּרֶן (_goren_) literally means "threshing floor." This was typically an open, flat, circular area, often paved, used for threshing grain. Its location, frequently near the city gate, made it a natural and common site for public assemblies, judicial proceedings, and official pronouncements due to its accessibility and open nature. Thus, far from being "void," it was a bustling, communal, and highly visible public space, perfectly suited for a royal consultation and prophetic declaration.
* **Throne (Hebrew, _kisse'_):** The Hebrew word כִּסֵּא (_kisse_) refers to a seat of authority, a throne. The mention of both kings sitting "each on his throne" underscores their sovereign power, the formality of the occasion, and the official nature of the inquiry. It signifies that this was not a casual meeting but a state affair, imbued with the full weight of their royal offices and the expectations of their respective kingdoms.
* **Prophets (Hebrew, _nevi'im'_):** The term נְבִיאִים (_nevi'im_) refers to those who speak on behalf of God, acting as His mouthpieces. In this context, "all the prophets" suggests a significant number, likely the official court prophets of King Ahab. Their collective presence and immediate "prophesying" indicate a customary practice of seeking divine counsel before military campaigns. However, the subsequent narrative reveals the critical distinction between true and false prophets, highlighting that not all who claim to speak for God truly do so.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne":** This clause establishes the primary actors and their authoritative posture. "The king of Israel" refers to Ahab, and "Jehoshaphat the king of Judah" is his counterpart. Their individual seating "on his throne" emphasizes their distinct royal authority and the formal, official nature of their joint consultation.
* **"having put on their robes":** The act of donning royal robes further accentuates the formality and solemnity of the occasion. These garments were symbols of their office, power, and status, indicating that the proceedings were official state business and not a private discussion.
* **"in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria":** This phrase pinpoints the exact location of the assembly. As discussed in "Key Word Analysis," the "void place" is more accurately understood as the threshing floor, a public, open area commonly found at the city gate. Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, making this a central and visible location for such an important gathering.
* **"and all the prophets prophesied before them":** This final clause introduces the central activity of the scene: the collective declaration of the prophets. The phrase "all the prophets" implies a large group, likely the court prophets in Ahab's employ, who immediately began to deliver their messages. This sets the stage for the dramatic conflict between their unified, yet false, message and the solitary, true word of Micaiah.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Setting** to establish a solemn and public atmosphere, emphasizing the gravity of the impending decision. The choice of the threshing floor at the city gate of Samaria, a bustling public space, underscores that this was a formal, state-level inquiry, not a private consultation. This **Setting** also serves as a symbolic arena where truth and deception will publicly contend. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Foreshadowing** by introducing "all the prophets" who immediately "prophesied before them." This collective, seemingly unified prophetic voice subtly foreshadows the dramatic conflict that will ensue when Micaiah, the lone true prophet, stands against this multitude, highlighting the theme of discerning true prophecy amidst a chorus of false voices. The kings' "robes" and "thrones" also serve as **Symbolism**, representing their royal authority, the formality of the occasion, and the weight of their responsibility in seeking divine counsel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 22:10 is a foundational verse for understanding the critical importance of discerning divine truth, especially in matters of leadership and national direction. It highlights the inherent danger when leaders, even those with good intentions like Jehoshaphat, align themselves with those who disregard God's will. The assembly of prophets, seemingly offering divine guidance, sets the stage for a profound theological lesson: not all who claim to speak for God are true prophets, and popular consensus does not equate to divine truth. This scene underscores the responsibility of leaders to seek genuine divine counsel and to possess the spiritual discernment to distinguish it from flattery, political expediency, or outright deception. It also reminds the reader that God's truth often comes through a solitary, unpopular voice, challenging prevailing norms and comfortable lies.

* [2 Chronicles 19:2](/2_chronicles/19-2 "2 Chronicles 19:2 - Jehu's Rebuke of Jehoshaphat") - This verse records the prophet Jehu's rebuke of Jehoshaphat for allying himself with Ahab, demonstrating the divine displeasure with such unholy alliances, even when undertaken with the intention of seeking counsel.
* [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets and Their Deceptive Visions") - Jeremiah's strong condemnation of false prophets who speak "a lying vision, a divination, a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart" directly echoes the deceptive prophetic scene unfolding in 1 Kings 22, emphasizing the long-standing problem of false prophecy in Israel.
* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - How to Discern a True Prophet") - These verses provide the foundational Mosaic test for distinguishing a true prophet from a false one: if a prophet's words do not come to pass, or if they speak in the name of other gods, they are false. This ancient standard is implicitly tested and dramatically illustrated by the events of 1 Kings 22.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene at the gate of Samaria, where kings sit robed and prophets speak, carries profound implications for contemporary life. It compels us to critically examine the sources of counsel we seek for significant decisions, whether personal, familial, or communal. Just as Ahab and Jehoshaphat were confronted with a multitude of voices, some speaking truth and others deception, we too navigate a world saturated with information, opinions, and "prophecies" from various sources—media, social circles, self-help gurus, and even religious leaders. This narrative challenges us to cultivate spiritual discernment, to test every spirit and every word against the unchanging standard of God's revealed truth in Scripture. It warns against the dangers of seeking counsel that merely confirms our desires or aligns with popular opinion, rather than challenging us with uncomfortable truths. Ultimately, it calls us to prioritize God's wisdom, even when it comes through an unexpected or unpopular voice, and to recognize that true wisdom often involves separating ourselves from ungodly influences and alliances that compromise our walk with the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "threshing floors" or public forums do I consult for guidance in my life, and how do I discern the voices I encounter there?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek counsel that aligns with my desires rather than God's truth, similar to Ahab's preference for favorable prophecies?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to distinguish between genuine wisdom and deceptive influences in my daily decisions?**
* **What alliances or associations in my life, though seemingly beneficial, might be compromising my commitment to God's ways, as Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab did?**

### FAQ
**Why was the "void place" (threshing floor) at the city gate a significant location for this royal consultation?**

Answer: The "void place," more accurately translated as "threshing floor" (Hebrew: _goren_), was a highly significant location for this royal consultation because of its multi-functional role in ancient Near Eastern cities. Located at the "entrance of the gate of Samaria," it was a public, open, and accessible area. City gates served as the primary hub for civic life, including commerce, judicial proceedings, and official assemblies. By holding the consultation on the threshing floor at the gate, the kings ensured that the proceedings were public, formal, and transparent to the citizens. This setting underscored the gravity of the decision regarding the military campaign against Ramoth-Gilead and allowed for a public display of the prophetic inquiry, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation between true and false prophecy that would soon unfold before the entire community. It was a place where justice was administered and important communal decisions were made, making it a fitting stage for a national inquiry into the will of the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 22:10 describes an Old Testament scene of kings seeking prophetic counsel, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate King and Prophet, Jesus Christ, and the nature of true divine revelation. The scene at the gate of Samaria, with its multitude of false prophets and the solitary voice of truth, finds its ultimate contrast and fulfillment in Jesus. Unlike the deceptive prophets who spoke "a lying spirit" ([1 Kings 22:23](/1_kings/22-23 "1 Kings 22:23 - The Spirit of Deception")), Jesus is the very Word of God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")), the Prophet par excellence whom Moses foretold ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")). He does not merely speak God's word; He *is* God's Word, full of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The kings sought counsel from fallible prophets; humanity's greatest need was met by the perfect King, who sits on an eternal throne, not in a temporary threshing floor, but at the right hand of the Father ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Eternal Throne")). The challenge of discerning true prophecy in 1 Kings 22 ultimately points to the singular, unmistakable truth found in Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and whose words are spirit and life ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Words of Spirit and Life")). He is the true and faithful witness ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - The Faithful and True Witness")), providing ultimate guidance and judgment, unlike the flawed and often deceptive human prophets.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 18:9

And 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.

2 Chronicles 18:11

And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king.

Jeremiah 27:14

Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

Jeremiah 27:16

Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

Matthew 11:8

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft [clothing] are in kings' houses.

Ezekiel 13:1

¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 13:9

And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.