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.

And Micaiah {H4321} said {H559}, If thou certainly {H7725} return {H7725} in peace {H7965}, then hath not the LORD {H3068} spoken {H1696} by me. And he said {H559}, Hearken {H8085}, all ye people {H5971}.

Mikhay'hu said, "If you return in peace at all, ADONAI has not spoken through me!"Then he added, "Did you hear me, you peoples, all of you?"

But Micaiah replied, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take heed, all you people!”

And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, Jehovah hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, ye peoples, all of you.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 18:27 (KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:27 records the bold and definitive challenge issued by the prophet Micaiah to King Ahab of Israel. This verse serves as a climactic moment in the confrontation between divine truth and human deception, underscoring the certainty of God's word.

Context

This verse is situated in a pivotal narrative where King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah are contemplating going to war against Ramoth-gilead. Ahab, known for his wickedness and idolatry, had gathered 400 of his own prophets who unanimously promised him victory. However, Jehoshaphat, seeking genuine divine counsel, insisted on consulting a true prophet of the LORD. Micaiah, despite being unpopular with Ahab due to his consistent delivery of unfavorable prophecies, was reluctantly summoned.

Initially, Micaiah sarcastically agreed with the false prophets, but under oath, he delivered the true, grim prophecy: Israel would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd, and Ahab himself would be led to his death. This infuriated Ahab, who ordered Micaiah to be imprisoned. In response, Micaiah uttered the words of 2 Chronicles 18:27, effectively putting his prophetic authenticity to the ultimate test. This account has a parallel in 1 Kings 22:28.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Authenticity and Test: Micaiah's statement provides a clear, verifiable test of his prophecy. If Ahab returns safely, Micaiah is a false prophet; if he does not, then Micaiah's message truly came from the LORD. This aligns with the biblical principle for discerning true prophets, as outlined in Deuteronomy 18:22.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Unwavering Truth: Despite the overwhelming number of false prophets and the king's desire for a favorable outcome, God's true word, delivered through Micaiah, stands firm. It cannot be manipulated or silenced by human will or power. This highlights God's sovereignty over human plans.
  • Courage in Speaking Truth: Micaiah demonstrates immense courage by challenging the king directly and publicly, even when it means facing imprisonment or worse. He prioritizes obedience to God over fear of man.
  • Consequences of Rejecting God's Word: The verse foreshadows the tragic end of Ahab, who, despite the clear warning, proceeded with his plans, ultimately meeting his demise at Ramoth-gilead, just as Micaiah prophesied.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "If thou certainly return in peace, [then] hath not the LORD spoken by me" is a powerful rhetorical device. It's a conditional statement that sets up a direct, undeniable proof of Micaiah's divine commission. The Hebrew phrasing emphasizes the certainty of the outcome being the test. "Hearken, all ye people" serves as Micaiah's public appeal for witnesses, ensuring that all present would remember his prophecy and its fulfillment. This public declaration underscores the importance and gravity of the divine message.

Significance and Application

2 Chronicles 18:27 offers profound insights for believers today:

  1. Discerning Truth: It reminds us of the critical need to discern truth from falsehood, especially in a world filled with voices that may tell us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. We must test all things against the consistent testimony of God's Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
  2. The Power of God's Word: This verse powerfully demonstrates that God's word is not empty; it will always come to pass. No human authority or popular opinion can thwart God's ultimate plan or the fulfillment of His promises and warnings.
  3. Integrity in Ministry: For those who speak on behalf of God, Micaiah's example calls for integrity and courage to deliver God's message faithfully, regardless of personal cost or popular reception.
  4. Accountability: It highlights that there are real consequences for rejecting divine counsel, even for those in positions of power.

Micaiah's bold declaration in 2 Chronicles 18:27 stands as a timeless testament to the unwavering truth of God's prophetic word and the courage required to deliver it.

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

  • Amos 9:10

    All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.

  • Mark 7:14

    And when he had called all the people [unto him], he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one [of you], and understand:

  • Micah 1:2

    Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.

  • Numbers 16:29

    If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; [then] the LORD hath not sent me.

  • Matthew 15:10

    ¶ And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

  • Acts 13:10

    And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

  • Acts 13:11

    And now, behold, the hand of the Lord [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
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