2 Chronicles 18:7

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same [is] Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

And the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} said {H559} unto Jehoshaphat {H3092}, There is yet one {H259} man {H376}, by whom we may enquire {H1875} of the LORD {H3068}: but I hate {H8130} him; for he never prophesied {H5012} good {H2896} unto me, but always {H3117} evil {H7451}: the same is Micaiah {H4321} the son {H1121} of Imla {H3229}. And Jehoshaphat {H3092} said {H559}, Let not the king {H4428} say {H559} so.

The king of Isra'el said to Y'hoshafat, "Yes, there is still one man through whom we can consult ADONAI; but I hate him, because he never prophesies anything good for me, only bad! It's Mikhay'hu the son of Yimlah." Y'hoshafat replied, "The king shouldn't say such a thing."

The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man who can ask the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah: but I hate him; for he never prophesieth good concerning me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

Commentary

In 2 Chronicles 18:7, we witness a pivotal moment in the alliance between Ahab, King of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. This verse reveals Ahab's deep-seated animosity towards the prophet Micaiah, whose messages consistently contradicted Ahab's desires and plans.

Context

The immediate historical context involves King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah forming a military alliance to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from the Syrians. Jehoshaphat, a righteous king, wisely insisted that they first "enquire of the LORD." Ahab had already gathered 400 of his own prophets, who unanimously prophesied success for the campaign (2 Chronicles 18:5). However, Jehoshaphat sensed something was amiss and pressed for another prophet, leading to Ahab's reluctant mention of Micaiah.

Key Themes

  • The Unpopular Truth: Ahab's confession, "but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil," powerfully illustrates the human tendency to reject truth when it is unwelcome or contradicts personal desires. Ahab preferred the flattering lies of his 400 court prophets over the uncomfortable, yet accurate, messages from God delivered by Micaiah.
  • The Nature of True Prophecy: Micaiah embodies the integrity of a true prophet of the Lord. Unlike the false prophets who spoke what the king wanted to hear, Micaiah faithfully delivered God's word, regardless of the personal cost or the king's favor. His consistent delivery of "evil" (meaning calamity or misfortune) to Ahab was not out of personal malice, but because Ahab's actions continually led to divine judgment.
  • Seeking God's Counsel: Jehoshaphat's insistence on seeking genuine divine guidance highlights the importance of discerning between popular opinion and God's true will. His spiritual sensitivity led him to question the unanimous positive prophecies and seek a voice that truly represented the Lord. This pursuit of divine wisdom is a recurring biblical theme, emphasizing trusting in the Lord with all your heart.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "prophesied good unto me, but always evil" reveals Ahab's perspective. The word "evil" here (Hebrew: ra') in this context refers to misfortune, disaster, or calamity, rather than moral wickedness. Micaiah's prophecies were "evil" to Ahab because they foretold negative outcomes or divine judgment for Ahab's unrighteous reign, contrasting sharply with the "good" (Hebrew: tov), or favorable outcomes, that Ahab desired and received from his false prophets.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for contemporary life:

  • Discerning Counsel: We must be cautious of "yes-men" or those who only tell us what we want to hear. Genuine wisdom and beneficial counsel often come from individuals who are willing to speak uncomfortable truths, even if it risks their popularity or our immediate comfort.
  • Humility in Seeking Guidance: Like Jehoshaphat, we should cultivate a desire for God's true will, even when it challenges our plans or preconceived notions. True spiritual growth often requires embracing unwelcome truths and adjusting our course accordingly.
  • The Cost of Truth: For those who speak truth, whether in personal relationships or public spheres, this narrative acknowledges that it can be unpopular or even provoke hatred. Yet, faithfulness to truth is ultimately more valuable than fleeting approval. Micaiah's subsequent prophecy and Ahab's ultimate demise at Ramoth-Gilead (2 Chronicles 18:34) serve as a solemn reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's clear warnings.
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Cross-References

  • Micah 2:7 (4 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 5:10 (4 votes)

    They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.

  • 1 Kings 21:20 (3 votes)

    And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found [thee]: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

  • Luke 6:22 (3 votes)

    Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

  • Isaiah 30:10 (3 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:

  • 1 Kings 18:17 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, [Art] thou he that troubleth Israel?

  • Psalms 69:14 (2 votes)

    Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.