2 Chronicles 18:23

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

Then Zedekiah {H6667} the son {H1121} of Chenaanah {H3668} came near {H5066}, and smote {H5221} Micaiah {H4321} upon the cheek {H3895}, and said {H559}, Which {H335} way {H1870} went {H5674} the Spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} from me to speak {H1696} unto thee?

Then Tzidkiyah the son of Kena'anah came up, slapped Mikhay'hu in the face and said, "And how did the Spirit of ADONAI leave me to speak to you?"

Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah went up, struck Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when He departed from me to speak with you?”

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of Jehovah from me to speak unto thee?

Commentary

2 Chronicles 18:23 describes a dramatic confrontation between a true prophet of God, Micaiah, and a false prophet, Zedekiah, during a pivotal moment in Israel's history.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah planning to go to war against Ramoth-Gilead. Ahab, despite his wickedness, sought prophetic counsel, gathering 400 prophets who unanimously predicted victory. However, Jehoshaphat insisted on hearing from a true prophet of the LORD, leading to Micaiah being summoned. Micaiah, against the popular opinion and the king's wishes, courageously prophesied Ahab's defeat and death, revealing that the 400 prophets were being led by a "lying spirit" permitted by God to entice Ahab to his doom (2 Chronicles 18:22). Zedekiah, one of the false prophets, responds to Micaiah's truth with physical violence and a mocking challenge.

Key Themes

  • Conflict Between Truth and Falsehood: The verse starkly illustrates the clash between genuine divine revelation and deceptive prophecy. Zedekiah represents the popular, politically convenient lie, while Micaiah embodies the unpopular, challenging truth.
  • Persecution of God's Messengers: Zedekiah's act of striking Micaiah on the cheek is a clear instance of hostility and physical abuse directed at a prophet for delivering an unwelcome message. This foreshadows the persecution faced by many of God's servants throughout biblical history, including Christ Himself (Matthew 5:12).
  • The Nature of Prophetic Authority: Zedekiah's sarcastic question, "Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?", highlights the false prophet's delusion and arrogance. He believed he possessed the Spirit, yet his actions and message proved otherwise, contrasting sharply with Micaiah, who truly spoke by the Spirit of the LORD.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "smote Micaiah upon the cheek" signifies a grave insult and a public act of contempt. In ancient Near Eastern culture, striking someone on the cheek was a profound act of humiliation and aggression, meant to belittle and discredit the person. Zedekiah's action was not merely physical assault but a symbolic rejection of Micaiah's message and the God who sent him.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Discernment is Crucial: We must always exercise discernment to distinguish between truth and falsehood, especially when confronted with popular narratives or voices that claim divine authority but contradict God's revealed word.
  • Truth Can Be Unpopular: Following and speaking God's truth may lead to opposition, ridicule, or even persecution. Micaiah's example encourages faithfulness even when it is difficult or dangerous.
  • Consequences of Rejecting Truth: Just as Ahab faced the consequences of rejecting Micaiah's prophecy (2 Chronicles 18:34), there are always repercussions for ignoring or attacking divine truth.

The story of Micaiah and Zedekiah challenges us to align ourselves with God's truth, regardless of the cost, and to recognize that true spiritual authority is demonstrated by faithfulness to God's word, not by popular acclaim or aggressive displays.

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

  • Mark 14:65

    And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

  • Jeremiah 20:2

    Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that [were] in the high gate of Benjamin, which [was] by the house of the LORD.

  • Matthew 26:67

    Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote [him] with the palms of their hands,

  • Matthew 26:68

    Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

  • 2 Chronicles 18:10

    And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.

  • Jeremiah 29:26

    The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man [that is] mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.

  • Jeremiah 29:27

    Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?
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