1 Kings 22:13

And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets [declare] good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak [that which is] good.

And the messenger {H4397} that was gone {H1980} to call {H7121} Micaiah {H4321} spake {H1696} unto him, saying {H559}, Behold now, the words {H1697} of the prophets {H5030} declare good {H2896} unto the king {H4428} with one {H259} mouth {H6310}: let thy word {H1697}, I pray thee, be like the word {H1697} of one {H259} of them, and speak {H1696} that which is good {H2896}.

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 the word of one of them - say something good."

Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”

And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good.

Commentary

1 Kings 22:13 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Ahab of Israel, highlighting the immense pressure placed upon the prophet Micaiah to conform to the prevailing positive — but ultimately false — prophecies concerning a military campaign.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of King Ahab's desire to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from the Syrians. He has allied with King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Before going to battle, Jehoshaphat insists on consulting a prophet of the Lord. Ahab gathers 400 of his own prophets, who unanimously declare a favorable outcome, promising victory for the king (1 Kings 22:6). Still unconvinced, Jehoshaphat asks if there is not another prophet of the Lord (1 Kings 22:7). Ahab reluctantly mentions Micaiah, whom he admits he hates because Micaiah "doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil" (1 Kings 22:8). The messenger in this verse is sent to fetch this dissenting prophet, conveying the popular sentiment and implicitly threatening Micaiah to align his message with the others.

Key Themes

  • Pressure to Conform: The messenger's plea, "let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good," vividly illustrates the powerful societal and political pressure to deliver a pleasing message, even if it compromises truth. This desire for agreeable prophecies is a recurring theme in biblical history, often leading leaders astray.
  • Truth vs. Popularity: The verse sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between divine truth, represented by Micaiah, and the popular, flattering falsehoods delivered by the 400 court prophets. It underscores the challenge of standing for integrity against a tide of consensus, especially when the consensus is based on human desires rather than God's word.
  • Discerning Prophecy: This situation highlights the critical need to discern between true and false prophecy. While the false prophets spoke "good" in terms of what the king wanted to hear, their words were not aligned with God's actual will or outcome, as Micaiah later reveals (1 Kings 22:17).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "good" (Hebrew: tov) in this context refers to that which is favorable, beneficial, or agreeable from a human perspective. It contrasts with "evil" (Hebrew: ra'), which often denotes calamity, disaster, or misfortune. The messenger is not asking Micaiah to speak morally good words, but rather words that would be politically advantageous and pleasant to the king's ears, mirroring the flattering pronouncements of the other prophets.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Courage to Speak Truth: It reminds us of the importance of having the courage to speak God's truth, even when it is unpopular or goes against the prevailing opinion. Like Micaiah, we may face pressure to compromise our convictions for the sake of acceptance or comfort.
  • Discerning Counsel: We are called to be discerning about the voices we listen to, whether from media, leaders, or even within our own communities. True wisdom and guidance often come from those willing to speak uncomfortable truths rather than just what we want to hear, echoing warnings against those who "heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3).
  • Integrity in Faith: The narrative of Micaiah serves as a powerful example of integrity in faith, prioritizing obedience to God over human approval or fear of consequences.

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

  • Psalms 50:21 (2 votes)

    These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes.

  • Micah 2:6 (2 votes)

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

  • Micah 2:7 (2 votes)

    O [thou that art] named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? [are] these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

  • Amos 7:13 (2 votes)

    But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it [is] the king's chapel, and it [is] the king's court.

  • Amos 7:17 (2 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

  • Micah 2:11 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Isaiah 30:10 (2 votes)

    Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: