1 Kings 22:16

KJV

And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but [that which is] true in the name of the LORD?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto him, How many times {H6471} shall I adjure {H7650} thee that thou tell {H1696} me nothing but that which is true {H571} in the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The king said to him, "How many times do I have to warn you to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of ADONAI?"

Berean Standard Bible

But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?”

American Standard Version

And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of Jehovah?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Kings 22:16, King Ahab, exasperated by the prophet Micaiah's initial sarcastic affirmation of false prophecies, demands that Micaiah speak only the unvarnished truth "in the name of the LORD." This pivotal moment reveals Ahab's underlying desperation for genuine divine revelation concerning the impending battle for Ramoth-gilead, despite his usual preference for flattering falsehoods. It underscores the profound tension between human desire and divine will, setting the stage for Micaiah's true, albeit unwelcome, prophecy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of King Ahab, marking the climax of his reign and foreshadowing his demise. Having formed an alliance with King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Ahab sought divine counsel regarding a military campaign to reclaim Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans. He first consulted his 400 court prophets, who, in unison, promised victory and divine favor, echoing the king's own desires ([1 Kings 22:6](/1_kings/22-6 "1 Kings 22:6 - The 400 False Prophets")). However, Jehoshaphat, discerning the lack of genuine divine authority in their pronouncements, insisted on consulting a true prophet of the LORD. Reluctantly, Ahab summoned Micaiah son of Imlah, whom he notoriously disliked because Micaiah "never prophesies good concerning me, but only evil" ([1 Kings 22:8](/1_kings/22-8 "1 Kings 22:8 - Ahab's Dislike for Micaiah")). Micaiah's initial response to Ahab was a sarcastic affirmation of the 400 prophets' message, mimicking their optimistic pronouncements. It is this sarcastically delivered "go up and triumph" that provokes Ahab's frustrated demand for truth in 1 Kings 22:16, recognizing the insincerity and the prophet's typical opposition to his will.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the divided monarchy, with Ahab ruling the northern kingdom of Israel and Jehoshaphat the southern kingdom of Judah. Their alliance, cemented by marriage ([1 Kings 22:44](/1_kings/22-44 "1 Kings 22:44 - Jehoshaphat's Alliance with Ahab")), was a strategic move against common enemies, particularly Aram (Syria). Ramoth-gilead, located east of the Jordan River, was a strategic city that had been lost to Aram and was a point of contention for decades ([1 Kings 22:3](/1_kings/22-3 "1 Kings 22:3 - Ramoth-gilead in Dispute")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings often employed court prophets or diviners to legitimize their decisions and provide favorable omens. However, true prophets of Yahweh, like Micaiah, often stood in stark contrast to these court functionaries, delivering God's unvarnished word regardless of its popularity or personal cost. The act of "adjuring" someone "in the name of the LORD" was a solemn invocation, placing the speaker under divine oath and emphasizing the gravity of the truth being sought, acknowledging the Lord's ultimate authority over all pronouncements.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Kings and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **clash between true and false prophecy**, a recurring motif where genuine divine revelation stands against human-pleasing deception. Ahab's court prophets represent the latter, speaking what the king desired to hear, while Micaiah embodies the former, speaking God's challenging truth ([Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophecies")). Secondly, it underscores the **challenge of discerning God's will** amidst conflicting voices and personal biases. Jehoshaphat's insistence on a "prophet of the LORD" ([1 Kings 22:7](/1_kings/22-7 "1 Kings 22:7 - Jehoshaphat's Request for a True Prophet")) demonstrates the need for spiritual discernment and testing the spirits, a principle echoed in the New Testament ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Testing the Spirits")). Finally, the scene reveals the **sovereignty of God over human plans and desires**, even those of powerful kings. Despite Ahab's attempts to manipulate or dismiss the truth, God's word, delivered through Micaiah, ultimately prevails, determining the outcome of the battle and Ahab's fate ([Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - God's Purpose Prevails")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adjure (Hebrew, _ʾālah_):** This verb carries significant weight. It means "to swear an oath," "to put under oath," or "to solemnly charge." It implies a binding, serious request made under divine authority, often with an accompanying curse if violated. When Ahab "adjures" Micaiah, he is not merely asking for honesty; he is invoking a sacred oath, demanding that Micaiah speak with the full weight of divine truth and accountability, acknowledging that genuine prophecy is not a matter of human opinion but a divine declaration.
* **In the name of the LORD (Hebrew, _bəšēm YHWH_):** This phrase is crucial. It signifies speaking with the authority and character of God Himself. It is an appeal to the divine nature and power of Yahweh. For a prophet, speaking "in the name of the LORD" meant delivering a message that originated from God, not from human wisdom, desire, or political expediency. Ahab's demand highlights his awareness, however fleeting, that true prophetic utterance must be divinely sanctioned and not merely a reflection of human will or flattery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said unto him":** This simple introductory clause sets the stage for Ahab's direct address to Micaiah. It emphasizes the king's authority and the personal nature of the confrontation, highlighting the tension between the powerful monarch and the solitary prophet.
* **"How many times shall I adjure thee":** This rhetorical question conveys Ahab's deep frustration and exasperation. It suggests that Micaiah had previously used evasive or sarcastic language, or perhaps that Ahab had repeatedly sought genuine divine counsel but received only palatable lies from his court prophets. The "how many times" underscores Ahab's desperate desire for an authentic word from God, even if he dreads its content.
* **"that thou tell me nothing but [that which is] true":** This is the core of Ahab's demand. He is explicitly asking for unvarnished truth, acknowledging that he has been receiving falsehoods or evasions. This reveals a flicker of spiritual awareness in Ahab, recognizing that a matter of life and death requires divine truth, not human manipulation or self-deception.
* **"in the name of the LORD?":** This concluding phrase elevates the demand from a mere request for honesty to a solemn, divinely sanctioned oath. Ahab is not just asking Micaiah to be truthful; he is commanding him to speak with the ultimate authority of Yahweh. This phrase underscores the gravity of Micaiah's prophetic commission and the inherent sacredness of God's word.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich with **Dramatic Irony**, as Ahab, a king notorious for his idolatry and disregard for the true God, demands truth "in the name of the LORD." He seeks divine truth only when his own life is on the line, contrasting sharply with his habitual rejection of God's commands. There is also significant **Foreshadowing**, as Ahab's desperate plea for truth hints at the dire nature of the prophecy Micaiah is about to deliver, which will indeed lead to the king's demise. The entire scene is characterized by intense **Dramatic Tension**, built through the confrontation between the powerful king and the lone, uncompromising prophet. This tension is heightened by Micaiah's initial sarcastic response, which forces Ahab to drop his pretense and demand genuine divine revelation. Finally, there is a clear **Contrast** between the 400 false prophets who speak pleasant lies and Micaiah, who is compelled to speak the uncomfortable truth, highlighting the stark difference between human-centered and God-centered prophecy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of truth, prophecy, and divine sovereignty. It illustrates that even those who habitually suppress or reject God's truth may, in moments of crisis, desperately seek it. Ahab's demand, though born of self-preservation, implicitly acknowledges the ultimate authority and necessity of God's word. It highlights the principle that true prophecy is not about confirming human desires but about revealing God's will, often challenging and uncomfortable. The scene underscores God's commitment to speaking truth, even through a prophet whom the king despises, demonstrating that His word cannot be ultimately silenced or manipulated by human power or preference. It also sets up a crucial theological distinction between those who speak for God and those who speak for themselves, a discernment vital for all believers.

* [Jeremiah 23:28](/jeremiah/23-28 "Jeremiah 23:28 - True vs. False Prophets")
* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Testing a Prophet")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secrets to His Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ahab's desperate plea for truth in 1 Kings 22:16 resonates deeply with the human condition. We, too, often find ourselves in situations where we prefer comforting lies to uncomfortable truths, especially when God's will challenges our plans or desires. This verse calls us to a radical commitment to truth, not just as an intellectual exercise, but as a spiritual imperative. It challenges us to examine the voices we listen to—whether from media, friends, or even our own internal desires—and to discern if they align with God's revealed word. True spiritual maturity involves cultivating a hunger for God's truth, even when it exposes our flaws, calls for repentance, or leads us down a path we did not anticipate. Like Jehoshaphat, we must cultivate spiritual discernment, insisting on counsel that genuinely originates from the LORD, rather than merely affirming our preconceived notions. Embracing God's truth, however difficult, is the path to genuine wisdom, spiritual growth, and alignment with His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to prefer comforting lies or self-serving narratives over God's challenging truth?**
* **How do I actively discern between voices that speak God's truth and those that merely affirm my own desires or societal norms?**
* **Am I open to prophetic correction or challenging truths from God's Word, even when they require repentance or a change of direction?**

### FAQ
**Why did Micaiah initially give a sarcastic prophecy to Ahab?**

Answer: Micaiah's initial sarcastic prophecy, "Go up and triumph; the LORD will give it into the hand of the king!" ([1 Kings 22:15](/1_kings/22-15 "1 Kings 22:15 - Micaiah's Sarcastic Prophecy")), was a deliberate act of irony. He was mimicking the unanimous, yet false, pronouncements of Ahab's 400 court prophets. This was not a genuine prophecy from the LORD, but rather a test or a challenge to Ahab. Micaiah knew Ahab's character and his preference for hearing only what he wanted to hear. By echoing the false prophets, Micaiah forced Ahab to confront his own insincerity and his underlying knowledge that he was not hearing the true word of God from his other counselors. Ahab's subsequent "How many times shall I adjure thee" ([1 Kings 22:16](/1_kings/22-16 "1 Kings 22:16 - Ahab's Demand for Truth")) confirms that he recognized Micaiah's sarcasm and knew he was not getting the real divine message. This setup allowed Micaiah to then deliver the true, albeit unwelcome, prophecy of Ahab's defeat and death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate demand for truth in 1 Kings 22:16 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of truth itself. While Ahab sought truth from a prophet, often reluctantly, humanity's deepest need is for the Truth who sets us free. Jesus declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Truth")). Unlike the false prophets who spoke pleasantries to appease kings, Jesus consistently spoke the unvarnished truth of God, often challenging deeply held human traditions and self-righteousness ([Matthew 23:13-36](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). He was the "faithful and true witness" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - Jesus, the Faithful and True Witness")) who always spoke "what he heard from God" ([John 8:26](/john/8-26 "John 8:26 - Jesus Speaks What He Hears from God")). The tension between human desire and divine will, so evident in Ahab's encounter, is resolved in Christ, who perfectly submitted to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Furthermore, Christ is the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, through whom God's final and complete revelation has come ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). In Him, we no longer need to "adjure" a prophet for truth, for the Truth has come to us, offering not just information about God's will, but the very life of God Himself ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")).

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

1 Samuel 14:24

¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.

Jeremiah 42:3

That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.

Jeremiah 42:6

Whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

Mark 5:7

And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, [thou] Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

Acts 19:13

¶ Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

2 Chronicles 18:15

And 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?

Joshua 6:26

And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.