2 Chronicles 18:13

And Micaiah said, [As] the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

And Micaiah {H4321} said {H559}, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, even what my God {H430} saith {H559}, that will I speak {H1696}.

But Mikhay'hu answered, "As ADONAI lives, whatever my God says is what I will say."

But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me.”

And Micaiah said, As Jehovah liveth, what my God saith, that will I speak.

Commentary

In 2 Chronicles 18:13, the prophet Micaiah delivers a powerful and defiant declaration to King Ahab's messenger. This verse is a pivotal moment showcasing integrity and faithfulness amidst immense pressure to conform.

Context

This declaration takes place as King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah are contemplating a military campaign against Ramoth-gilead. Ahab, seeking assurance of victory, had gathered 400 of his own prophets, who unanimously prophesied success. However, Jehoshaphat, sensing the lack of divine authority, insisted on hearing from a true prophet of the LORD. Ahab reluctantly summoned Micaiah, a prophet he despised because Micaiah consistently prophesied ill concerning him. Before Micaiah arrived, the messenger urged him to align his prophecy with the 400 others. Micaiah's response in this verse is a direct rejection of that pressure, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation. This account has a parallel in 1 Kings 22:14, underscoring its significance in the biblical narrative.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Integrity: Micaiah exemplifies unwavering commitment to speaking God's precise word, regardless of personal cost or popular opinion. His declaration highlights the essential difference between true prophets who speak for God and false prophets who speak what people want to hear.
  • Courage in Conviction: Facing a king, his messenger, and 400 opposing prophets, Micaiah demonstrates immense spiritual courage. He prioritizes divine truth over human favor or fear of consequences, modeling the conviction to obey God rather than men.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse implicitly points to God's ultimate authority. Micaiah's commitment to speak "what my God saith" underscores that the true message originates from God, not from human will or political expediency.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "As the LORD liveth" is a solemn oath, frequently used in the Old Testament to affirm the absolute truth and certainty of a statement, swearing by God's very existence and faithfulness. It lends immense weight and divine authority to Micaiah's subsequent promise: "even what my God saith, that will I speak." This phrasing emphasizes not only his personal conviction but also the direct, divine origin of his message, contrasting sharply with the human-derived prophecies of the 400 false prophets.

Practical Application

Micaiah's steadfastness offers a powerful lesson for believers today. In a world often driven by popular opinion, political correctness, or personal gain, this verse calls us to:

  • Seek God's Truth: Prioritize God's word above all other voices, ensuring our beliefs and actions are grounded in divine revelation.
  • Speak Truth with Courage: Be willing to articulate biblical truth, even when it is unpopular, challenging, or carries personal cost. This requires a deep reliance on God's strength, as seen in putting on the full armor of God.
  • Discern Wisely: Develop spiritual discernment to distinguish between messages that truly come from God and those that are merely human opinions or deceptions.

Micaiah reminds us that faithfulness to God's word is not always easy, but it is always right.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 22:35

    And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

  • Numbers 22:18

    And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.

  • Numbers 22:20

    And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, [and] go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

  • Numbers 24:13

    If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do [either] good or bad of mine own mind; [but] what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

  • Jeremiah 42:4

    Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard [you]; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, [that] whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare [it] unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.

  • Ezekiel 2:7

    And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

  • Acts 20:27

    For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
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