2 Chronicles 18:15

And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

And the king {H4428} said {H559} to him, How many times {H6471} shall I adjure {H7650} thee that thou say {H1696} nothing but the truth {H571} to me in the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}?

The king said to him, "How many times do I have to warn you to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of ADONAI?"

But the king said to him, โ€œHow many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?โ€

And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of Jehovah?

Commentary

2 Chronicles 18:15 captures a pivotal moment in the encounter between King Ahab of Israel and the prophet Micaiah. King Ahab, exasperated by Micaiah's initial sarcastic agreement with the 400 false prophets, demands an unvarnished truth, compelling him to speak in the name of the LORD.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of King Ahab, alongside King Jehoshaphat of Judah, preparing for battle against Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat, a righteous king, insisted on seeking the Lord's counsel before engaging in war (2 Chronicles 18:4). Ahab, however, had assembled 400 of his own prophets who uniformly prophesied victory, telling the kings what they wanted to hear (2 Chronicles 18:5). Jehoshaphat, discerning their lack of divine authority, pressed for a true prophet of the Lord. Ahab reluctantly pointed to Micaiah, whom he despised because Micaiah consistently prophesied ill concerning him. When Micaiah was brought forth, he initially gave a sarcastic affirmation of the false prophets' message, prompting Ahab's forceful demand for honesty under oath.

Key Themes

  • The Pursuit of Truth: Ahab's demand highlights a deeper human need for truth, even when it is inconvenient or contradicts desired outcomes. Despite his wickedness, Ahab recognized that true prophetic utterance carried a different weight than flattery.
  • Prophetic Integrity and Courage: Micaiah exemplifies unwavering integrity, standing against popular opinion and royal pressure to deliver God's unfiltered message. His courage to speak truth to power is a central theme.
  • The Sacredness of God's Name: By adjuring Micaiah "in the name of the LORD," Ahab invokes the most solemn oath, underscoring the gravity and divine authority expected from a true prophet. This emphasizes the serious nature of invoking the divine name for truth-telling.
  • Discerning True vs. False Prophecy: This narrative serves as a stark contrast between genuine divine revelation and self-serving or politically motivated pronouncements. The false prophets offered comfort, while Micaiah delivered a challenging, yet true, word from God. For a similar theme, see Jeremiah 14:14.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "adjure thee" translates the Hebrew verb shava' (ืฉื‘ืข), which means "to swear, to take an oath, to cause to swear." In this context, it signifies a solemn and binding appeal, akin to putting someone under oath. Ahab is not merely asking; he is demanding a truthful response under the most serious spiritual obligation, invoking the very name of God to ensure Micaiah speaks without reservation or sarcasm, but with genuine divine revelation.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Seek God's Unvarnished Truth: We should desire and pursue God's truth, even when it challenges our preconceived notions or personal desires. Authentic spiritual growth often comes from uncomfortable truths.
  • Discerning Spiritual Counsel: The narrative encourages careful discernment of spiritual advice. Is counsel given based on popular opinion, personal gain, or genuine divine leading? We are called to test the spirits (1 John 4:1).
  • The Courage to Speak Truth: Like Micaiah, believers are sometimes called to speak truth in difficult situations, even when it is unpopular or carries personal risk. This requires reliance on God's strength and a commitment to His word above all else.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 19:13 (2 votes)

    ยถ Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

  • Matthew 26:63 (2 votes)

    But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

  • Mark 5:7 (2 votes)

    And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, [thou] Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

  • 1 Kings 22:16 (2 votes)

    And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but [that which is] true in the name of the LORD?

  • 1 Samuel 14:24 (2 votes)

    ยถ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.