Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. Micaiah continuedThe prophet Micaiah, whose name means "Who is like Yahweh?" in Hebrew, stands as a solitary voice of truth amidst a chorus of false prophets. His continuation signifies a boldness and persistence in delivering God's message, regardless of the opposition he faces. This reflects the calling of a true prophet, who must speak God's truth even when it is unpopular or dangerous. Therefore hear
The phrase "therefore hear" is a call to attention, urging the audience to listen carefully to the divine revelation that follows. In Hebrew, the word for "hear" is "shema," which implies not just listening but also understanding and obeying. This is a critical reminder of the importance of heeding God's word with both ears and heart. the word of the LORD
This phrase underscores the authority and divine origin of the message Micaiah is about to deliver. "The word of the LORD" is a common biblical expression indicating that what follows is not human opinion but a revelation from God Himself. It emphasizes the reliability and truthfulness of the prophecy. I saw the LORD
Micaiah's vision of the LORD is a profound spiritual experience, indicating a direct encounter with the divine. In Hebrew, the word for "saw" is "ra'ah," which can mean both physical sight and spiritual insight. This vision grants Micaiah the authority to speak on behalf of God, as he has witnessed the heavenly reality. sitting on His throne
The image of the LORD sitting on His throne conveys His sovereignty and kingship over all creation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a throne was a symbol of power and authority. This vision reassures believers of God's ultimate control and justice, even when earthly rulers fail. and all the host of heaven
The "host of heaven" refers to the angelic beings who serve God. In Hebrew, "host" is "tsaba," often used to describe a military assembly. This imagery portrays a celestial court, emphasizing the order and majesty of God's heavenly realm. It reminds us of the spiritual realities that exist beyond our earthly perception. standing by Him on His right and on His left
The positioning of the heavenly host on God's right and left signifies their readiness to serve and execute His will. In biblical symbolism, the right side often represents favor and strength, while the left can indicate support. This arrangement highlights the unity and purpose of God's servants, reinforcing the message that God's plans are carried out with precision and authority. Persons / Places / Events 1. MicaiahA prophet of the LORD who is known for speaking the truth, even when it is unpopular or dangerous. In this passage, he is delivering a vision from God to King Ahab. 2. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, depicted here as sitting on His throne, symbolizing His ultimate authority and power over all creation. 3. The Host of HeavenRefers to the angelic beings or spiritual entities that serve God. They are depicted as standing by God, indicating their readiness to serve and execute His will. 4. King AhabThe king of Israel at the time, known for his idolatry and opposition to the prophets of the LORD. This vision is part of a larger account where Ahab seeks counsel about going to war. 5. Throne Room VisionThis event is a prophetic vision given to Micaiah, revealing the divine council and God's sovereign rule over earthly affairs. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyThe vision of God on His throne reminds us of His ultimate authority over all creation. We can trust in His perfect will and timing, even when earthly rulers fail. The Role of ProphetsMicaiah's courage to speak God's truth, despite opposition, challenges us to stand firm in our faith and convictions, even when it is unpopular. Heavenly PerspectiveUnderstanding that there is a spiritual realm where God is actively involved encourages us to seek His guidance and align our lives with His purposes. Divine CouncilThe presence of the host of heaven signifies that God involves His creation in His plans. We are reminded that we, too, are called to participate in God's work on earth. Discernment in LeadershipAhab's disregard for Micaiah's prophecy warns us of the dangers of ignoring godly counsel. We should seek and heed wise, biblical advice in our decisions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Micaiah's vision of the LORD's throne room influence your understanding of God's sovereignty in your life? 2. In what ways can you demonstrate the courage of Micaiah in your own life when faced with opposition to biblical truth? 3. How does the imagery of the host of heaven standing by God inspire you to serve in God's kingdom? 4. Reflect on a time when you ignored wise counsel. What were the consequences, and how can you apply this lesson to future decisions? 5. How can the visions of God's throne room in Isaiah, Revelation, and 1 Kings deepen your worship and reverence for God? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 6:1-8Isaiah's vision of the LORD on His throne parallels Micaiah's vision, emphasizing God's holiness and sovereignty. Revelation 4:1-11John's vision of the heavenly throne room in Revelation echoes the imagery of God's majesty and the worship of the heavenly host. Psalm 103:19-21This Psalm speaks of the LORD's throne established in the heavens and His kingdom ruling over all, similar to the imagery in Micaiah's vision. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Amon, Aram, Asa, Azubah, Chenaanah, David, Geber, Imlah, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Joash, Micah, Micaiah, Nebat, Ophir, Shilhi, Sodomites, Syrians, Tarshish, Tharshish, ZedekiahPlaces Edom, Ezion-geber, Jerusalem, Ophir, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, TarshishTopics Army, Beside, Continued, Ear, Heaven, Heavens, Host, Micaiah, Micai'ah, Places, Power, Round, Seat, Seated, Sitting, Standing, ThroneDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 22:19 1690 word of God
5181 sitting
5184 standing
5208 armies
5581 throne
8474 seeing God
9105 last things 1 Kings 22:1-28 7774 prophets, false 1 Kings 22:1-38 8131 guidance, results 1 Kings 22:10-28 1469 visions 1 Kings 22:12-23 8129 guidance, examples 1 Kings 22:15-28 7712 convincing 1 Kings 22:17-38 6708 predestination 1 Kings 22:19-20 1355 providence 1 Kings 22:19-22 4170 host of heaven 1 Kings 22:19-23 6241 seduction
7774 prophets, false
7778 school of prophets
8227 discernment, nature of
8228 discernment, examples Library Unpossessed Possessions
'And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?'--1 KINGS xxii. 3. This city of Ramoth in Gilead was an important fortified place on the eastern side of the Jordan, and had, many years before the date of our text, been captured by its northern neighbours in the kingdom of Syria. A treaty had subsequently been concluded and broken a war followed thereafter, in which Ben-hadad, King of Syria, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureAhab and Micaiah
'And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him? 8. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.'--1 KINGS xxii. 7,8. An ill-omened alliance had been struck up between Ahab of Israel and Jehoshaphat of Judah. The latter, who would have been much better in Jerusalem, had come down to Samaria …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
1. The Hebrews reckon but three books as poetical, namely: Job, Psalms, and Proverbs, which are distinguished from the rest by a stricter rhythm--the rhythm not of feet, but of clauses (see below, No. 3)--and a peculiar system of accentuation. It is obvious to every reader that the poetry of the Old Testament, in the usual sense of the word, is not restricted to these three books. But they are called poetical in a special and technical sense. In any natural classification of the books of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Shepherd of Our Souls.
"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."--John x. 11. Our Lord here appropriates to Himself the title under which He had been foretold by the Prophets. "David My servant shall be king over them," says Almighty God by the mouth of Ezekiel: "and they all shall have one Shepherd." And in the book of Zechariah, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Of Councils and their Authority.
1. The true nature of Councils. 2. Whence the authority of Councils is derived. What meant by assembling in the name of Christ. 3. Objection, that no truth remains in the Church if it be not in Pastors and Councils. Answer, showing by passages from the Old Testament that Pastors were often devoid of the spirit of knowledge and truth. 4. Passages from the New Testament showing that our times were to be subject to the same evil. This confirmed by the example of almost all ages. 5. All not Pastors who …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha, which are Quoted, or Incidentally Illustrated, in the Institutes.
TO THE AUTHORS QUOTED IN THE INSTITUTES PREFATORY ADDRESS TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY, THE MOST MIGHTY AND ILLUSTRIOUS MONARCH, FRANCIS, KING OF THE FRENCH, HIS SOVEREIGN; [1] JOHN CALVIN PRAYS PEACE AND SALVATION IN CHRIST. [2] Sire,--When I first engaged in this work, nothing was farther from my thoughts than to write what should afterwards be presented to your Majesty. My intention was only to furnish a kind of rudiments, by which those who feel some interest in religion might be trained to …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Sovereignty of God in Administration
"The LORD hath prepared His Throne In the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all" (Psa. 103:19). First, a word concerning the need for God to govern the material world. Suppose the opposite for a moment. For the sake of argument, let us say that God created the world, designed and fixed certain laws (which men term "the laws of Nature"), and that He then withdrew, leaving the world to its fortune and the out-working of these laws. In such a case, we should have a world over which there was no intelligent, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses Men in Human Language...
CHAPTER XXXIV. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION. 1. Since the Bible addresses men in human language, and according to human modes of thinking and speaking, the interpreter's first work is to ascertain the meaning of the terms employed. Here he must proceed as in the case of other writings, seeking by the aid of grammars, lexicons, cognate languages, ancient versions, ancient interpreters, and whatever other outward helps are available, to gain a thorough knowledge of the language employed by …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Instruction for the Ignorant:
BEING A SALVE TO CURE THAT GREAT WANT OF KNOWLEDGE, WHICH SO MUCH REIGNS BOTH IN YOUNG AND OLD. PREPARED AND PRESENTED TO THEM IN A PLAIN AND EASY DIALOGUE, FITTED TO THE CAPACITY OF THE WEAKEST. 'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.'--Hosea 4:6 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This little catechism is upon a plan perfectly new and unique. It was first published as a pocket volume in 1675, and has been republished in every collection of the author's works; and recently in a separate tract. …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 22:19 NIV1 Kings 22:19 NLT1 Kings 22:19 ESV1 Kings 22:19 NASB1 Kings 22:19 KJV
1 Kings 22:19 Commentaries
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