2 Chronicles 18:12

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.

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}.

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."

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.”

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

2 Chronicles 18:12 (KJV) captures a pivotal moment of pressure and persuasion, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation between true prophecy and popular consensus. The messenger’s words to Micaiah highlight the human tendency to seek agreeable messages over uncomfortable truths, a theme central to prophetic ministry throughout the Bible.

Context

This verse is set during a critical juncture for King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah. They are preparing for battle against Ramoth-Gilead. Ahab has already consulted 400 of his own prophets, who have all unanimously declared victory for the king. However, Jehoshaphat, seeking a word from the Lord, presses Ahab to inquire of a true prophet of Yahweh. This leads to the summoning of Micaiah, a prophet known for speaking God's unvarnished truth, often to Ahab's displeasure. The messenger, having witnessed the uniform positive declarations of the other prophets, attempts to influence Micaiah to deliver a similar, pleasing message, underscoring the political and social pressure to conform.

Key Themes

  • The Pressure to Conform: The core message of this verse is the intense pressure placed upon Micaiah to align his prophecy with the prevailing, popular opinion of the other prophets. This scenario vividly illustrates the human desire for comforting lies over challenging truths, especially in leadership.
  • Authenticity vs. Popularity: Micaiah is faced with a clear choice: speak what is pleasing and popular to the king, or speak the authentic word of God, regardless of the personal cost. This tension is a recurring motif for prophets and believers alike.
  • The Nature of True Prophecy: Implicitly, the verse highlights that true prophecy does not originate from human desire, political expediency, or popular consensus, but from God alone. The messenger's plea sets up the stark contrast that will soon be revealed between the false prophets and Micaiah.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "with one assent" (KJV) or "with one accord" in other translations, emphasizes the remarkable unanimity of the 400 prophets. This collective agreement, while seemingly impressive, is actually a sign of their deception, as true divine revelation often challenges human expectations and popular opinion. There isn't a specific profound Hebrew word here that changes the meaning, but the emphasis is on the unity of the false message versus the singular voice of truth.

Related Scriptures

  • Micaiah's refusal to compromise and his subsequent prophetic vision of Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd is detailed in 2 Chronicles 18:16 and 1 Kings 22:17.
  • The divine revelation of a lying spirit sent to deceive Ahab's prophets is a crucial follow-up, found in 2 Chronicles 18:22 and 1 Kings 22:23.
  • The ultimate tragic fulfillment of Micaiah's prophecy concerning Ahab's death is recorded in 2 Chronicles 18:34.
  • The principle of speaking truth even when it's unpopular resonates with the wisdom found in Proverbs 29:25, which warns against the "fear of man" as a snare.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today. We live in a world where popular opinion and prevailing narratives often pressure individuals to conform. Like Micaiah, we are called to discern and speak truth, even when it is unpopular, inconvenient, or carries personal risk. This applies to personal integrity, professional ethics, and particularly to spiritual leadership and prophetic ministry. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God's true word, rather than messages that simply affirm our desires or comfort our biases. It encourages spiritual discernment to distinguish between voices that speak truth and those that merely echo popular sentiment or self-serving interests.

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

  • Joshua 9:2 (2 votes)

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 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.

  • Psalms 10:11 (2 votes)

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