1 Kings 22:15

ยถ So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king.

So he came {H935} to the king {H4428}. And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto him, Micaiah {H4321}, shall we go {H3212} against Ramothgilead {H7433}{H1568} to battle {H4421}, or shall we forbear {H2308}? And he answered {H559} him, Go {H5927}, and prosper {H6743}: for the LORD {H3068} shall deliver {H5414} it into the hand {H3027} of the king {H4428}.

When he reached the king, the king asked him, "Mikhay'hu, should we go up and attack Ramot-Gil'ad; or should we hold off?" He answered, "Go up, you will succeed, ADONAI will hand it over to the king."

When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, โ€œMicaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?โ€ โ€œGo up and triumph,โ€ Micaiah replied, โ€œfor the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.โ€

And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go up and prosper; and Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king.

Commentary

1 Kings 22:15 marks a pivotal moment in the confrontation between King Ahab and the prophet Micaiah, highlighting the stark contrast between genuine divine revelation and popular, yet deceptive, prophecy.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of King Ahab of Israel's desire to reclaim the city of Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans (Syrians), with the support of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Before Micaiah's arrival, Ahab had already consulted 400 of his own prophets, who unanimously declared that he would be victorious (1 Kings 22:6). Jehoshaphat, however, discerning the lack of true spiritual authority in these prophets, insisted on seeking a prophet of the LORD (1 Kings 22:7). Micaiah, known for always prophesying "evil" concerning Ahab (1 Kings 22:8), was reluctantly summoned. The messenger who brought Micaiah even urged him to align his words with the other prophets (1 Kings 22:13). It is in this atmosphere of pressure and preconceived outcomes that Micaiah delivers his initial, highly ironic response.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Irony and Sarcasm: Micaiah's reply, "Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king," is a direct echo of the false prophets' consensus. It is a sarcastic mimicry, designed to highlight the absurdity and falsehood of their predictions. Micaiah knows Ahab is not genuinely seeking God's will but validation for his own plans.
  • Discerning Truth: This verse sets the stage for the true prophetic word. Micaiah's initial response forces Ahab to demand the unvarnished truth, indicating that even Ahab recognized the hollow nature of the initial "good" prophecy. It underscores the difficulty and importance of distinguishing between flattery and genuine divine revelation.
  • The Courage of a True Prophet: Despite external pressure and the king's known disdain, Micaiah ultimately stands firm in delivering God's unpopular message. His initial sarcasm serves to expose the superficiality of the other prophets and prepare the way for the profound, albeit grim, truth that follows (1 Kings 22:17).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "Go, and prosper" directly translates the Hebrew, but its true meaning here is conveyed through the prophet's tone and the broader narrative context. Micaiah uses the exact words that would normally signify divine blessing and success, but his delivery and Ahab's subsequent reaction reveal that both understood it as anything but a genuine endorsement. The Hebrew verb for "deliver" (ื ึธืชึทืŸ - natan) is a common term for giving or placing into one's hand, here ironically used to imply a deceptive "delivery" into doom.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Kings 22:15 serves as a powerful reminder to seek out and embrace genuine truth, even when it is uncomfortable or contrary to our desires. It challenges us to:

  • Discern Spiritual Counsel: Be wary of advice that only confirms our biases or promises easy success without demanding spiritual introspection. True wisdom often comes with a call to humility and repentance.
  • Value Unpopular Truth: Recognize that God's truth may not always be what we want to hear, but it is always what we need to hear. Like Micaiah, we are called to prioritize God's word over popular opinion or personal gain.
  • Examine Motives: Before seeking guidance, consider whether we are truly open to God's will or merely seeking validation for our own plans.

This verse is a crucial turning point, setting the stage for Micaiah to reveal the true, tragic fate awaiting Ahab at Ramoth-gilead.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 3:13

    And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

  • Judges 10:14

    Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

  • Matthew 26:45

    Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take [your] rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

  • Ecclesiastes 11:9

    Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these [things] God will bring thee into judgment.

  • 1 Kings 18:27

    And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he [is] a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, [or] peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

  • 2 Chronicles 18:14

    And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
โ† Back