1 Kings 22:13

KJV

And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets [declare] good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak [that which is] good.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the messenger {H4397} that was gone {H1980} to call {H7121} Micaiah {H4321} spake {H1696} unto him, saying {H559}, Behold now, the words {H1697} of the prophets {H5030} declare good {H2896} unto the king {H4428} with one {H259} mouth {H6310}: let thy word {H1697}, I pray thee, be like the word {H1697} of one {H259} of them, and speak {H1696} that which is good {H2896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The messenger who had gone to call Mikhay'hu said to him, "Here, now, the prophets are unanimously predicting success for the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them - say something good."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”

American Standard Version

And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 22:13 captures a critical juncture in the narrative of King Ahab, as a royal messenger earnestly implores the prophet Micaiah to conform his forthcoming prophecy to the unanimous, favorable declarations of the 400 court prophets. This verse vividly portrays the immense pressure exerted upon Micaiah to compromise divine truth for the sake of political expediency and royal approval, setting the stage for a profound confrontation between the unvarnished word of God and the human inclination toward pleasing falsehoods.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the dramatic prelude to King Ahab's ill-fated military campaign to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead. Following King Jehoshaphat's insistence on consulting a prophet of the Lord, Ahab reluctantly gathers 400 of his own court prophets. These prophets, in a display of unified flattery, enthusiastically declare certain victory for the king, urging him to "go up to Ramoth-Gilead and triumph" ([1 Kings 22:6](/1_kings/22-6 "1 Kings 22:6 - The 400 Prophets Prophesy Success")). Jehoshaphat, discerning the lack of genuine divine authority in their pronouncements, presses for a true prophet of Yahweh, asking, "Is there not yet a prophet of the Lord here whom we may inquire of?" ([1 Kings 22:7](/1_kings/22-7 "1 Kings 22:7 - Jehoshaphat Asks for a True Prophet")). Ahab's grudging admission that he "hates" Micaiah because the prophet consistently prophesies "evil" (calamity) rather than "good" concerning him ([1 Kings 22:8](/1_kings/22-8 "1 Kings 22:8 - Ahab's Complaint About Micaiah")) immediately precedes the messenger's attempt to manipulate Micaiah. Thus, verse 13 serves as a direct, pre-emptive effort to silence dissent and ensure Micaiah's message aligns with the politically convenient, yet false, consensus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds in the tumultuous period of the divided monarchy, with Ahab reigning over Israel from Samaria and Jehoshaphat over Judah from Jerusalem. In the ancient Near East, kings frequently maintained court prophets or diviners whose primary function was to legitimize royal decisions, provide favorable omens, and ensure divine sanction for military campaigns. These prophets were typically dependent on royal patronage, which created a powerful incentive to deliver messages that pleased the monarch, often at the expense of divine truth. Ramoth-Gilead, a strategically vital city in Transjordan, was a frequent point of contention between Israel and Aram (Syria). The prevailing cultural expectation was for prophets to support the king's agenda, especially in matters of war. Any prophet who dared to speak against the king's will faced severe repercussions, including imprisonment, public humiliation, or even death. This socio-political backdrop profoundly underscores the immense personal danger and moral courage required for Micaiah to resist the messenger's plea and deliver God's uncompromised word.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of 1 Kings and the broader prophetic literature. It starkly highlights the **conflict between true and false prophecy**, a recurring motif where genuine divine revelation often stands in direct opposition to human desires, political agendas, and deceptive flattery. The intense pressure exerted on Micaiah underscores the theme of **courage and integrity in the face of conformity**, illustrating the moral fortitude required to speak God's truth when it is unpopular, dangerous, or contrary to the prevailing consensus. Furthermore, it exemplifies the **peril of seeking only agreeable counsel and the deception of flattery**, showcasing how leaders like Ahab, surrounded by those who tell them what they want to hear, become blinded to reality and God's true will, ultimately leading to their downfall, as tragically depicted in [1 Kings 22:34-35](/1_kings/22-34-35 "1 Kings 22:34-35 - Ahab's Death and Its Aftermath"). This passage also subtly reinforces the theme of **divine sovereignty**, demonstrating that God's ultimate plan will unfold despite human attempts to manipulate, resist, or circumvent it, often through the voice of a solitary, faithful prophet.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** (H1697) This noun, derived from the root "to speak," signifies a "word," "matter," or "thing." It encompasses not just spoken utterances but also the underlying reality or affair being discussed. In this verse, the messenger's plea is that Micaiah's "word" (his prophetic message) should align with the "words" of the other prophets. This highlights the power and consequence of spoken declarations, especially those claiming divine authority. The messenger is not merely asking for a sound but for a specific content and outcome – a message of "good."
* **Prophets (Hebrew, _nābîyʼ'_):** (H5030) This term denotes one who is "called" or "inspired" to speak for God. However, in this context, the 400 "prophets" are presented as a collective whose pronouncements are driven by human desire to please the king, rather than by genuine divine revelation. The messenger's appeal for Micaiah to be "like one of them" is an invitation to compromise his true prophetic calling and join a chorus of false, self-serving prophecy, illustrating the corruption that can plague the prophetic office when it becomes subservient to human power.
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** (H2896) Appearing twice in the verse, this adjective broadly means "good" in the sense of pleasant, beneficial, favorable, or agreeable. Here, its connotation is pragmatic and politically expedient, not morally upright. The messenger desires words that are advantageous and pleasing to King Ahab, echoing the flattering pronouncements of the 400 court prophets. This "good" stands in stark contrast to the "evil" (calamity or misfortune) that Micaiah typically prophesied concerning Ahab, revealing the king's preference for comfortable lies over uncomfortable truths.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying,"**: This opening clause sets the scene for a private, pre-emptive encounter. The messenger, dispatched by King Ahab at Jehoshaphat's insistence, intercepts Micaiah before he reaches the royal court. This deliberate, off-stage conversation underscores the strategic attempt to influence Micaiah's message away from public scrutiny, highlighting the pressure tactics employed to control the prophetic narrative.
* **"Behold now, the words of the prophets [declare] good unto the king with one mouth:"**: The messenger presents Micaiah with a seemingly overwhelming consensus. The 400 court prophets have spoken with "one mouth," signifying a unified, unwavering declaration of success and a favorable outcome for the king's campaign. This collective affirmation of "good" is presented as an undeniable standard to which Micaiah is implicitly expected to conform, implying that any deviation would be foolish, rebellious, or even dangerous. This clause powerfully illustrates the persuasive, often intimidating, force of groupthink and the difficulty of standing against a unanimous, albeit false, majority.
* **"let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak [that which is] good."**: This is the core of the messenger's direct and urgent plea for conformity. The phrase "I pray thee" adds a layer of personal entreaty, perhaps conveying a genuine concern for Micaiah's well-being, or simply a strong desire to avoid any disruption to the king's plans. The repeated emphasis on speaking "good" reinforces the expectation that Micaiah's prophecy must be palatable and advantageous to the king, regardless of its truthfulness. This reveals the deep-seated desire within Ahab's court for pleasant lies over uncomfortable truths, prioritizing political convenience above divine revelation.

#### Literary Devices
The passage masterfully employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is profoundly present, as the "good" that the messenger and the 400 prophets advocate is, in reality, "evil" in its ultimate outcome, leading directly to King Ahab's demise. The king's desire for a pleasant lie ultimately proves fatal, while God's truth, delivered by Micaiah, offers genuine, albeit harsh, understanding. There is also strong **Foreshadowing** in the messenger's words; by highlighting the unified, positive message of the 400, the text immediately sets up the dramatic confrontation with Micaiah's dissenting, negative, yet true prophecy, which will inevitably lead to conflict, judgment, and the king's downfall. The stark **Contrast** between the 400 false prophets and the solitary true prophet Micaiah is a central literary and theological motif, emphasizing the rarity, cost, and profound importance of genuine prophetic integrity. Finally, the messenger's plea itself functions as a powerful **Temptation**, a direct challenge to Micaiah's faithfulness and courage, testing whether he will succumb to human pressure or remain steadfast in delivering God's uncompromised word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the perennial conflict between divine truth and human desire, particularly the pervasive temptation to suppress uncomfortable realities in favor of pleasing falsehoods. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to revealing His will, even when it is contrary to human expectations, political expediency, or personal comfort, and His sovereign choice to raise up faithful witnesses like Micaiah to declare it. The unyielding integrity of God's word stands in stark contrast to the deceptive flattery of false prophets, underscoring the critical importance for believers to discern true spiritual counsel from that which merely caters to "itching ears" or personal biases. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that God's "good" is often not what we initially perceive as pleasant, beneficial, or agreeable, but rather what is ultimately true, righteous, and conducive to His redemptive purposes, even if it brings judgment or discomfort in the short term.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "How to Discern a False Prophet")
* [Jeremiah 23:16-17](/jeremiah/23-16-17 "Warning Against False Prophets")
* [Ezekiel 13:1-3](/ezekiel/13-1-3 "Denunciation of False Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The messenger's earnest plea to Micaiah resonates deeply with the pressures believers often face in contemporary society. We are constantly confronted with a myriad of voices—from popular culture and social media to political ideologies and even within religious circles—that subtly or overtly urge conformity. These voices often demand that we speak only what is "good" in the sense of being agreeable, non-offensive, or politically correct, even if it means compromising biblical truth. This verse challenges us to cultivate a profound and unwavering commitment to God's truth, even when it is unpopular, costly, or goes against the prevailing consensus. It compels us to honestly examine our own hearts: do we genuinely seek God's unvarnished truth, or do we, like King Ahab, prefer counsel that validates our desires, affirms our biases, and avoids discomfort? Discerning true wisdom requires a posture of humility, a deep immersion in Scripture, and a willingness to listen to voices that may challenge our assumptions, rather than just those that affirm them. Micaiah's courageous example calls us to integrity, reminding us that faithfulness to God's word is paramount, regardless of the personal consequences or the intense pressure to compromise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel pressure to conform your words or beliefs to what is popular or pleasing, rather than what is true according to Scripture?**
* **How do you discern between counsel that is truly "good" (from God's perspective) and counsel that is merely "good" (from a human, self-serving, or culturally convenient perspective)?**
* **What are the potential costs of speaking God's truth in your current context, and how can you cultivate the courage and conviction to do so?**
* **Are there "prophets" in your life (e.g., media personalities, influential leaders, even well-meaning friends) whose words you accept without critical discernment, simply because they are agreeable or align with your preferences?**

### FAQ
**Why did the messenger try to influence Micaiah's prophecy?**

Answer: The messenger's primary motivation was likely multifaceted, driven by a desire to prevent conflict, maintain stability, and ensure a favorable outcome for King Ahab's military campaign. Having witnessed the unanimous, positive declarations of the 400 court prophets, the messenger clearly understood Ahab's strong preference for agreeable counsel. A dissenting prophecy from Micaiah would not only contradict the prevailing narrative but also potentially enrage the king, disrupt his meticulously laid plans, and perhaps even endanger Micaiah himself. The messenger, therefore, acted out of a pragmatic desire to maintain harmony and avoid an unpleasant confrontation, either for the king's sake, for the stability of the court, or to protect Micaiah from the king's wrath. He was attempting to manage the situation by ensuring Micaiah's message aligned with what was politically expedient and what the king desperately wanted to hear, rather than what God truly intended to communicate.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The solitary stand of Micaiah, pressured to conform but choosing instead to speak God's unpalatable truth, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Prophet, Jesus Christ. Like Micaiah, Jesus stood as the lone voice of uncompromised truth in a world steeped in deception, self-serving narratives, and political maneuvering. While the religious leaders and the crowds often sought a Messiah who would speak "good" in terms of political liberation, worldly prosperity, or a comfortable status quo, Jesus consistently declared the "good news" of the Kingdom of God, which often included uncomfortable truths about sin, repentance, and the necessity of suffering ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel")). He steadfastly refused to conform to popular expectations or political pressures, even when it led to His rejection by the very people He came to save and ultimately to His crucifixion ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")). Jesus is the living Word made flesh, the perfect embodiment of God's truth, who "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). His prophetic ministry culminated in what appeared to be the ultimate "evil" from a human perspective—His agonizing death on the cross—which God sovereignly transformed into the ultimate "good" for humanity: salvation, reconciliation, and eternal life ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Thus, Micaiah’s courage to speak the truth, even unto personal peril, points forward to Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the role of the faithful prophet, speaking God's truth even when it led to the cross, thereby securing our ultimate and eternal "good."

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

Psalms 50:21

These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes.

Micah 2:6

¶ Prophesy ye not, [say they to them that] prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, [that] they shall not take shame.

Micah 2:7

O [thou that art] named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? [are] these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

Amos 7:13

But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it [is] the king's chapel, and it [is] the king's court.

Amos 7:17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

Micah 2:11

If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, [saying], I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

Isaiah 30:10

Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: