2 Chronicles 18:12

KJV

And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets [declare] good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the messenger {H4397} that went {H1980} to call {H7121} Micaiah {H4321} spake {H1696} to him, saying {H559}, Behold, the words {H1697} of the prophets {H5030} declare good {H2896} to the king {H4428} with one {H259} assent {H6310}; let thy word {H1697} therefore, I pray thee, be like one {H259} of theirs, and speak {H1696} thou 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 one of theirs - say something good."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold, 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 to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth: let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 18:12 captures a pivotal moment of intense pressure on the prophet Micaiah, as a royal messenger urges him to conform his prophetic word to the unanimous, favorable declarations of 400 other prophets. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between divine truth and human consensus, highlighting the pervasive temptation to prioritize agreeable messages over challenging realities, a theme central to biblical prophecy and the nature of authentic spiritual leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the broader narrative of King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah's ill-fated alliance to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from the Arameans (Syrians). Ahab, despite his wickedness, seeks to secure Jehoshaphat's military support. Before committing, Jehoshaphat, a righteous king, insists on inquiring of the Lord, distrusting Ahab's 400 court prophets who have all, with one voice, promised victory. Ahab reluctantly agrees to summon Micaiah, a prophet he despises because Micaiah consistently speaks unpleasant truths. The messenger's plea to Micaiah in [2 Chronicles 18:12](/2_chronicles/18-12 "2 Chronicles 18:12 - The Messenger's Plea to Micaiah") occurs precisely as Micaiah is being brought before the kings, serving as a direct attempt to manipulate the prophetic outcome and ensure a politically convenient message. This moment immediately precedes Micaiah's initial sarcastic agreement with the false prophets, followed by his devastatingly true prophecy of Ahab's demise, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 18:16-27](/2_chronicles/18-16 "2 Chronicles 18:16-27 - Micaiah's True Prophecy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, prophets served as God's direct spokespersons, often challenging royal authority and popular opinion. Kings frequently kept court prophets, whose loyalty could be compromised by their dependence on the monarch. The scene in [2 Chronicles 18](/2_chronicles/18 "2 Chronicles 18 - Ahab and Jehoshaphat at Ramoth-Gilead") reflects a common tension between true prophets, who spoke Yahweh's unvarnished word, and false prophets, who often prophesied what was politically expedient or personally pleasing to the king. The cultural expectation was often for prophets to bless military ventures, especially when kings sought divine approval. Ramoth-Gilead itself was a strategically important city in Transjordan, frequently contested between Israel and Aram, making its recapture a significant political and military objective for Ahab. The messenger's words underscore the immense social and political pressure on Micaiah to conform to the prevailing narrative, a pressure that could have severe consequences for non-compliance.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes illuminated by this verse include the **nature of true prophecy** versus false prophecy, emphasizing that God's word often runs counter to human desires or popular consensus. It vividly portrays the **pressure to conform**, illustrating how individuals, even those in positions of spiritual authority, can be swayed by the desire for approval or the fear of rejection. The messenger's plea highlights the **danger of seeking agreeable messages** over uncomfortable truths, a timeless human inclination. Furthermore, it foreshadows the **cost of integrity** for those who choose to speak God's truth, regardless of the consequences, as Micaiah's subsequent imprisonment demonstrates in [2 Chronicles 18:26](/2_chronicles/18-26 "2 Chronicles 18:26 - Micaiah's Imprisonment"). This moment also subtly introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty** over human plans, as God's true word, delivered through Micaiah, ultimately prevails over the multitude of false prophecies and human machinations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Assent (Hebrew, _peh echad'_):** The KJV translates "with one assent" from the Hebrew phrase `peh echad` (פֶּה אֶחָד), literally meaning "one mouth" or "united mouth." This emphasizes the remarkable and suspicious unanimity of the 400 prophets. It suggests a coordinated, singular voice, which, while seemingly impressive, is presented as a sign of their deception. True divine revelation often challenges human expectations and popular opinion, rarely manifesting as such a convenient, uncritical consensus. The messenger uses this collective agreement to pressure Micaiah, implying that such widespread affirmation must be correct.
* **Good (Hebrew, _tov'_):** The word `tov` (טוֹב) means "good," "pleasant," "favorable," or "beneficial." In this context, it refers to the content of the prophecy: a declaration of success and victory for the king. The messenger's insistence that Micaiah "speak thou good" reveals a desire not for truth, but for a message that is palatable, politically advantageous, and comforting to the king. This superficial "good" stands in stark contrast to the profound, often uncomfortable, "good" of God's true word, which aims for ultimate righteousness and justice, even if it brings immediate hardship.
* **Speak thou good (Hebrew, _dabber tov'_):** This imperative phrase, `dabber tov` (דַּבֵּר טוֹב), is a direct command or earnest plea to Micaiah to utter a favorable prophecy. It encapsulates the core of the messenger's persuasive attempt: to manipulate Micaiah into delivering a message of "good" that aligns with the consensus, rather than one rooted in divine revelation. The repetition of "good" underscores the singular focus on pleasing the king and avoiding any negative or challenging pronouncements, revealing a profound misunderstanding or deliberate subversion of the prophetic office.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying,"**: This opening clause establishes the setting and the agent of pressure. The messenger is not merely a summons-bearer but an active participant in the attempt to influence Micaiah. His words are not just an observation but a direct appeal, highlighting the immediate context of the prophet's impending audience with the kings.
* **"Behold, the words of the prophets [declare] good to the king with one assent;"**: This is the core of the messenger's argument. He presents the unanimous positive declarations of the 400 prophets as an undeniable truth or a compelling precedent. The phrase "with one assent" (or "with one mouth") emphasizes the absolute agreement among them, implying that such a united front must be divinely sanctioned or, at the very least, politically wise to emulate. This statement serves as both a report and a subtle threat, suggesting that any deviation would be seen as contrarian or disloyal.
* **"let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good."**: This is the direct plea for conformity. The messenger explicitly asks Micaiah to abandon his independent prophetic voice and instead echo the pleasing message of the other prophets. The phrase "I pray thee" adds a layer of earnestness, perhaps even desperation, to the request, underscoring the high stakes involved for the king and the messenger himself. The repetition of "speak thou good" reinforces the singular desire for a favorable outcome, regardless of its truthfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich with **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows (or will soon discover) that the unanimous "good" spoken by the 400 prophets is a lie, orchestrated by a lying spirit from God (as revealed in [2 Chronicles 18:22](/2_chronicles/18-22 "2 Chronicles 18:22 - The Lying Spirit")). The messenger's earnest plea for Micaiah to "speak thou good" thus becomes tragically ironic, as it urges him towards deception rather than truth. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the dramatic confrontation to come between Micaiah's singular, truthful prophecy and the collective falsehood. The **Contrast** between the "one assent" of the many false prophets and the anticipated singular voice of Micaiah is stark and deliberate. Finally, the messenger's words are a clear example of **Persuasion**, attempting to manipulate Micaiah through an appeal to consensus and the desire for royal favor, rather than through an appeal to divine truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 18:12 serves as a powerful theological statement on the nature of truth and the integrity of prophetic ministry. It underscores that God's truth is not determined by popular vote, political expediency, or human comfort. The pressure exerted on Micaiah highlights the constant human temptation to suppress uncomfortable truths in favor of agreeable falsehoods, a tendency that corrupts both individuals and institutions. True prophecy, and by extension, all authentic spiritual leadership, demands unwavering faithfulness to God's revealed word, even when it incurs personal cost or societal rejection. This verse challenges believers to cultivate discernment, to distinguish between voices that echo human desires and those that faithfully convey divine revelation, recognizing that genuine spiritual nourishment often comes through challenging, rather than comforting, truths.

* [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - Fear of Man")
* [Galatians 1:10](/galatians/1-10 "Galatians 1:10 - Pleasing God, Not Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers timeless lessons for believers navigating a world often hostile to truth. Like Micaiah, we frequently face immense pressure to conform to prevailing opinions, whether in our workplaces, social circles, or even within religious communities. The messenger's plea reminds us that the desire for "good" news, however superficial, can easily overshadow the pursuit of genuine, sometimes challenging, truth. This calls us to cultivate a deep commitment to biblical discernment, rigorously testing all messages against the unchanging standard of God's Word, rather than succumbing to the allure of popular consensus or personal convenience. It challenges us to consider the cost of integrity and to be willing to stand alone for what is right, even when it means facing opposition or discomfort. Ultimately, 2 Chronicles 18:12 encourages us to prioritize faithfulness to God above all else, trusting that His truth, though sometimes difficult, is always ultimately for our true good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life do I feel pressure to conform my words or actions to popular opinion, rather than to God's truth?**
* **How do I discern between messages that are genuinely from God and those that are merely comforting or self-serving?**
* **What is the "good" that I am tempted to seek or speak, even if it means compromising on truth?**
* **What personal costs might I face if I choose to speak God's truth in a challenging situation, and how can I prepare myself for them?**

### FAQ

**Why did the messenger try to influence Micaiah?**

Answer: The messenger's attempt to influence Micaiah stemmed from a desire to maintain the political stability and military morale of the kings, particularly King Ahab. Having witnessed the unanimous, positive prophecies of the 400 court prophets, the messenger likely believed that a dissenting voice from Micaiah would disrupt the perceived divine favor and potentially undermine the kings' confidence in their military campaign against Ramoth-Gilead. He was probably acting out of loyalty to the king and a practical concern for the immediate political climate, rather than a malicious intent to deceive. He wanted Micaiah to deliver a message that was "good" (favorable) and consistent with the prevailing narrative, thereby avoiding any uncomfortable truths that might displease the king or jeopardize the alliance, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 18:11](/2_chronicles/18-11 "2 Chronicles 18:11 - The Prophets' Unanimous Word").

**What was the significance of "one assent" in the messenger's plea?**

Answer: The phrase "one assent" (Hebrew: `peh echad`, "one mouth") highlights the absolute unanimity of the 400 prophets in their declaration of victory for King Ahab. This collective agreement served as a powerful rhetorical device for the messenger. In ancient cultures, a unified voice often carried significant weight, implying divine consensus or overwhelming certainty. The messenger used this apparent solidarity to pressure Micaiah, suggesting that such widespread agreement must be correct and that Micaiah should not contradict it. Theologically, however, this "one assent" is ironically a sign of their falsehood, as true prophecy often stands alone against popular opinion, as Micaiah's subsequent truthful, yet unpopular, prophecy demonstrates in [2 Chronicles 18:16-27](/2_chronicles/18-16 "2 Chronicles 18:16-27 - Micaiah's True Prophecy").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophetic integrity displayed by Micaiah in 2 Chronicles 18:12, despite immense pressure to conform, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate prophet, Jesus Christ. Micaiah was urged to "speak good" and align his message with the pleasing consensus, yet he chose to speak the truth, even though it led to his imprisonment and Ahab's demise. Similarly, Jesus, the very embodiment of truth, consistently spoke the Father's words, which often challenged the religious and political establishments of His day. He did not seek to please men, as He declares in [John 8:45](/john/8-45 "John 8:45 - Jesus Speaks Truth") and [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life"), but rather declared the full counsel of God, even when it meant confronting hypocrisy ([Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")) or foretelling His own suffering and death ([Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Foretells His Death")). Like Micaiah, Christ's message was often rejected by the majority ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")), and He faced the ultimate consequence for speaking God's unvarnished truth: crucifixion. Yet, through His unwavering faithfulness, Jesus became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), demonstrating that true "good" from God often comes through confrontation with sin and costly sacrifice, leading to ultimate victory and eternal life.

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

Joshua 9:2

That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

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.

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.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Micah 2:6

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

Psalms 10:11

He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see [it].