1 Kings 22:27

KJV

And say, Thus saith the king, Put this [fellow] in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

KJV (with Strong's)

And say {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the king {H4428}, Put {H7760} this fellow in the prison {H1004}{H3608}, and feed {H398} him with bread {H3899} of affliction {H3906} and with water {H4325} of affliction {H3906}, until I come {H935} in peace {H7965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Say, 'The king says to put this man in prison; and feed him only bread and water, and not much of that, until I return in peace.'"

Berean Standard Bible

and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”

American Standard Version

and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 22:27 records King Ahab's punitive decree against the prophet Micaiah, commanding his imprisonment and a meager diet of "bread of affliction and water of affliction" until Ahab's anticipated victorious return from battle. This harsh sentence is a direct consequence of Micaiah's courageous, yet unwelcome, prophecy foretelling Ahab's defeat and death, a stark contrast to the flattering predictions of the 400 court prophets. The verse powerfully encapsulates Ahab's tyrannical nature, his profound rejection of divine truth, and his preference for self-serving flattery, setting the stage for the tragic and inevitable fulfillment of God's sovereign word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical turning point within the broader narrative of King Ahab's reign, specifically preceding the ill-fated battle for Ramoth-gilead. The preceding narrative details the alliance formed between King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah for this military campaign. Jehoshaphat, seeking divine counsel, insists on consulting a prophet of the Lord, leading to the reluctant summoning of Micaiah, son of Imlah, despite Ahab's preference for his own 400 court prophets who prophesied success. Micaiah, initially offering a sarcastic affirmation of the false prophets' message, is pressed by Ahab to speak the truth. He then delivers a chilling vision of Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd and reveals a divine council where a lying spirit is sent to deceive Ahab's prophets. This direct, unvarnished truth, which contradicts Ahab's desires and the consensus of his court, provokes the king's intense rage and the immediate issuance of the decree found in 1 Kings 22:27. The verses immediately following describe Micaiah's defiant acceptance of his fate and his final, public warning that if Ahab returns in peace, the Lord has not spoken through him, dramatically setting the stage for the prophecy's fulfillment in [Ahab's death](/1_kings/22-34-36 "1 Kings 22:34-36 - Ahab's Death in Battle").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the divided monarchy of Israel, with Ahab ruling the northern kingdom from Samaria and Jehoshaphat ruling Judah from Jerusalem. Ramoth-gilead, a strategically vital city east of the Jordan River, was a contested territory between Israel and the Arameans (Syrians), having been previously lost by Israel. In the ancient Near East, it was common for kings to retain court prophets or seers whose counsel often aligned with the monarch's agenda. True prophets of Yahweh, however, like Micaiah, frequently stood in direct opposition to royal power, delivering God's uncompromised word, which often led to severe persecution, imprisonment, or even death. Examples include Jeremiah's imprisonment (cf. [Jeremiah 37:15](/jeremiah/37-15 "Jeremiah 37:15 - Jeremiah Imprisoned")) and Amos's expulsion. The "prison" (Hebrew: *beit ha'asur*, literally "house of the prisoner") would have been a secure holding facility, likely within the royal palace complex. The "bread of affliction and water of affliction" (Hebrew: *lechem lachatz* and *mayim lachatz*) refers to a deliberately meager and harsh diet, designed not merely for sustenance but to inflict suffering, break the prisoner's spirit, and emphasize their disgraced status. This was a common form of punitive treatment for political prisoners or those who dared to defy royal authority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights the **clash between divine truth and human rebellion**, exemplified by Ahab's persistent rejection of God's warnings and his preference for comforting lies over inconvenient truth. This theme is central to the prophetic books, where prophets often face opposition for speaking God's word (e.g., [Amos confronts Amaziah](/amos/7-10-13 "Amos 7:10-13 - Amos Confronts Amaziah")). Secondly, it underscores the **persecution of God's faithful messengers**, demonstrating the significant cost of prophetic obedience and the danger faced by those who challenge corrupt power structures with divine authority. Micaiah's suffering foreshadows the experiences of many later prophets and ultimately, the suffering of Christ Himself. Thirdly, the verse showcases the **inevitable consequences of rejecting divine counsel**, as Ahab's defiance of Micaiah's prophecy directly leads to his demise, fulfilling the word of the Lord despite his attempts to circumvent it. This reinforces the Deuteronomistic principle that obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings judgment, a motif woven throughout [the book of Kings](/1_kings "The Book of 1 Kings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Put (Hebrew, שׂוּם, _sûwm_):** This primitive root signifies to "put," "place," or "set," but carries a wide variety of applications, including to appoint, charge, commit, or ordain. In this context, it conveys the king's absolute authority and direct command. Ahab isn't merely suggesting; he is authoritatively "putting" Micaiah in a specific, designated place of punishment. This verb underscores the king's power to control and determine the prophet's immediate fate, acting as a direct, forceful exercise of royal prerogative against divine messaging.
* **Affliction (Hebrew, לַחַץ, _lachatz_):** Used twice in the phrase "bread of affliction and water of affliction," this term is derived from a root meaning "to press" or "to squeeze." It denotes severe distress, oppression, pressure, or narrowness. It signifies more than a mere lack of sustenance; it describes a deliberately harsh, meager ration designed to inflict suffering, break the prisoner's spirit, and emphasize their disgraced and oppressed status. The repetition emphasizes the severity and intentionality of the suffering Ahab wishes to impose on Micaiah as punishment for his unwelcome prophecy.
* **Peace (Hebrew, שָׁלוֹם, _shâlôwm_):** This rich Hebrew term encompasses not just the absence of conflict but also wholeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and completeness. Ahab's declaration "until I come in peace" expresses his confident expectation of a victorious return, a state of complete *shalom* for himself and his kingdom. However, this statement is profoundly ironic given Micaiah's preceding prophecy that Ahab would not return alive. The king's use of *shalom* here highlights his profound delusion, his hubris, and his utter rejection of the divine word, setting up the dramatic and tragic fulfillment of Micaiah's prophecy in [Ahab's death](/1_kings/22-35 "1 Kings 22:35 - Ahab's Death").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And say, Thus saith the king, Put this [fellow] in the prison":** This opening command immediately establishes the king's absolute and unquestionable authority. The phrase "Thus saith the king" deliberately echoes the prophetic formula "Thus saith the Lord," creating an ironic contrast between human and divine authority. Ahab's decree is final and brooks no argument. "This [fellow]" (referring to Micaiah) is a derogatory and dismissive term, stripping the prophet of his dignity and prophetic office in the king's eyes, reducing him to a mere criminal. The immediate order for imprisonment demonstrates Ahab's swift, tyrannical, and oppressive response to unwelcome truth.
* **"and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction":** This clause specifies the harsh and punitive conditions of Micaiah's imprisonment. The "bread of affliction" and "water of affliction" signify a deliberately cruel and minimal diet, designed not merely to sustain life but to inflict physical suffering and break the prisoner's spirit. It is a punitive measure, intended to punish Micaiah for daring to speak God's truth to power and to deter any others from similar defiance. This reflects the king's desire to exert total control and inflict maximum discomfort on his perceived enemy, attempting to silence the divine message through physical deprivation.
* **"until I come in peace":** This concluding clause reveals King Ahab's confident expectation of victory in battle and his triumphant return to Samaria. His use of "peace" (*shalom*) is deeply ironic, as Micaiah has just prophesied that Ahab will not return alive, but that Israel will be scattered like sheep without a shepherd. This statement underscores Ahab's profound hubris, his self-deception, and his utter disregard for the divine warning. It also sets a clear, albeit tragically unfulfilled, condition for Micaiah's release, highlighting the king's belief in his own power to control events and silence God's word.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is profoundly marked by **Irony**. Ahab's confident declaration "until I come in peace" stands in stark and tragic contrast to Micaiah's preceding prophecy that Ahab would not return alive, creating a dramatic irony that powerfully foreshadows the king's demise. This highlights the futility of human defiance against divine decree. There is also potent **Symbolism** in the "bread of affliction and water of affliction." These are not merely literal rations but symbolize the oppression, suffering, and persecution faced by those who faithfully proclaim God's unvarnished word. This meager diet represents the king's desire to break Micaiah's spirit and undermine his prophetic authority. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as **Foreshadowing**, as Ahab's rejection of God's prophet and his subsequent actions directly lead to the fulfillment of Micaiah's grim prophecy, demonstrating the inevitable and inescapable consequences of defying divine counsel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 22:27 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of truth, authority, and the inevitable consequences of human rebellion against divine revelation. It vividly illustrates the perennial conflict between God's unvarnished word and humanity's preference for comforting lies or self-serving narratives. Ahab's tyrannical response to Micaiah underscores the dangerous reality that those in power often suppress truth when it challenges their agenda, highlighting the courage and integrity required of God's faithful messengers. The verse implicitly affirms God's unwavering sovereignty, demonstrating that even human attempts to imprison or silence His word cannot prevent its ultimate fulfillment. It teaches that God's truth, though often unwelcome and costly to deliver, will always prevail, and defiance of His counsel inevitably leads to judgment.

* [Jeremiah 20:2](/jeremiah/20-2 "Jeremiah 20:2 - Jeremiah Imprisoned by Pashhur")
* [Amos 7:12-13](/amos/7-12-13 "Amos 7:12-13 - Amaziah's Command to Amos")
* [Matthew 5:11-12](/matthew/5-11-12 "Matthew 5:11-12 - Blessed are the Persecuted")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 22:27 offers a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to critically examine our posture towards truth, especially when it is uncomfortable or costly. Like Micaiah, we are called to be courageous truth-tellers, speaking God's word faithfully and with integrity, even when it invites opposition, ridicule, or persecution from those in power or from prevailing cultural norms. This requires a deep conviction in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture and a willingness to stand for righteousness in a world that often prefers self-deception and convenient narratives. The narrative also serves as a sobering warning against the dangers of rejecting divine counsel, whether individually or corporately. It compels us to cultivate spiritual discernment, to test all messages and voices against the plumb line of God's revealed Word, and to resist the temptation to surround ourselves with voices that only affirm our desires rather than challenging us to grow in holiness and truth. Ultimately, this verse reminds us that while human power may attempt to suppress or imprison truth, God's word cannot be chained, and His purposes will ultimately prevail, urging us to align our lives with His unwavering and eternal truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to prefer comforting lies or self-serving narratives over uncomfortable truths, especially those revealed in God's Word?**
* **What might it look like for me to speak God's truth courageously and with love in my spheres of influence (family, work, community), even if it comes with personal cost or opposition?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to distinguish between genuine divine counsel and voices that merely affirm my own desires or the prevailing cultural currents?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of "bread of affliction and water of affliction"?**

Answer: The phrase "bread of affliction and water of affliction" (Hebrew: *lechem lachatz* and *mayim lachatz*) was not merely a description of a poor diet, but a specific and deliberate form of punishment designed to inflict severe distress and oppression. The Hebrew word *lachatz* implies "pressure," "distress," or "narrowness," indicating a state of being squeezed or confined. This meager, harsh ration was intended to break the prisoner's spirit, cause physical suffering, and emphasize their disgraced and powerless status in the king's eyes. It was a common punitive measure for political prisoners or those who defied royal authority, signifying a cruel and oppressive form of imprisonment. It underscored Ahab's desire to punish Micaiah for his prophetic message and to silence him through deprivation. This type of treatment is also alluded to in other biblical texts, such as [Isaiah 30:20](/isaiah/30-20 "Isaiah 30:20 - Bread of Adversity and Water of Affliction"), where it symbolizes divine judgment or severe hardship.

**Why was Ahab so angry with Micaiah, and what does this reveal about him?**

Answer: Ahab was enraged by Micaiah's prophecy because it directly contradicted his desires and the unanimous, positive predictions of his 400 court prophets. Ahab wanted to hear a message of victory and success for his campaign against Ramoth-gilead, not a prophecy of defeat and death. Micaiah's truth was inconvenient, unwelcome, and fundamentally challenged Ahab's authority and plans. This reveals several deeply flawed aspects of Ahab's character: his profound **rebellion against God's word**, his **preference for flattery and self-deception** over divine truth, his **tyrannical nature** and inability to tolerate dissent or opposing viewpoints, and his **hubris** in believing he could defy God's declared will. His immediate command to imprison Micaiah and subject him to harsh conditions demonstrates his oppressive power and his desperate, yet ultimately futile, attempt to silence the truth that threatened his reign and life, a pattern seen throughout his interactions with prophets like Elijah (cf. [1 Kings 18](/1_kings/18 "1 Kings 18 - Elijah on Mount Carmel")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Micaiah's persecution in 1 Kings 22:27, where he suffers imprisonment and deprivation for speaking God's unwelcome truth to a rebellious king, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate prophet, Jesus Christ. Just as Micaiah was rejected and imprisoned for delivering a message that exposed the king's sin and sealed his fate, so too was Jesus rejected by the religious and political authorities of His day for proclaiming the truth of God's kingdom and exposing their spiritual blindness (cf. [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). Christ, the true "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), faced far greater affliction than bread and water of distress; He endured the ultimate suffering, crucifixion, at the hands of those who preferred their own power and traditions over divine truth (cf. [Luke 23:18-25](/luke/23-18-25 "Luke 23:18-25 - Jesus Condemned")). Ahab's ironic expectation of returning "in peace" stands in stark contrast to Christ's actual triumph over death and His glorious resurrection, where He truly returned in peace, having secured eternal peace and reconciliation for all who believe (cf. [John 20:19](/john/20-19 "John 20:19 - Jesus Appears to Disciples")). Micaiah's faithful endurance in the face of persecution points to Christ's perfect obedience unto death, through which God's ultimate plan of salvation was fulfilled, demonstrating that no human power can ultimately thwart the divine will or silence the truth of the Gospel (cf. [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")).

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 16:10

Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for [he was] in a rage with him because of this [thing]. And Asa oppressed [some] of the people the same time.

2 Chronicles 18:25

Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;

2 Chronicles 18:27

And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, [then] hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

Revelation 2:10

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Psalms 102:9

For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

Psalms 127:2

[It is] vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Luke 3:20

Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.