2 Chronicles 18:8
So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, "Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once."
So the king of Israel
This phrase refers to King Ahab, the ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab is often remembered for his idolatry and his marriage to Jezebel, which led Israel further away from God. Historically, Ahab's reign is marked by political alliances and conflicts, notably with the kingdom of Judah. His character is a reminder of the dangers of compromising faith for political gain.

called one of his officials
The Hebrew word for "officials" can also be translated as "eunuchs" or "servants," indicating a person of trust and authority within the king's court. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Near Eastern courts, where the king's word was law, and his officials were expected to carry out his commands without question. It underscores the absolute power wielded by monarchs in biblical times.

and said, 'Bring Micaiah son of Imlah
Micaiah is a prophet of the Lord, known for speaking the truth, regardless of the consequences. His name means "Who is like Yahweh?" which is fitting given his role as a faithful messenger of God. The mention of his father, Imlah, is a common biblical practice to establish identity and lineage. Micaiah's willingness to stand alone against false prophets highlights the courage required to uphold God's truth in a world that often rejects it.

at once.'
The urgency in the king's command suggests a pressing need for divine insight, likely due to the impending battle with Aram. This immediacy reflects the human tendency to seek God's guidance in times of crisis, even when His counsel is not regularly heeded. It serves as a reminder of the importance of consistently seeking God's will, not just in moments of desperation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King of Israel
This refers to King Ahab, who was the ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel. He is known for his idolatry and opposition to the prophets of the Lord.

2. Micaiah son of Imlah
A prophet of the Lord who is known for speaking the truth, even when it is unpopular or dangerous. His role in this account is crucial as he stands in contrast to the false prophets.

3. Official
An unnamed servant or messenger of King Ahab tasked with bringing Micaiah to the king. This person plays a minor but significant role in the unfolding of the events.

4. Jehoshaphat
The king of Judah who is present during this event. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his desire to seek the Lord's counsel.

5. Samaria
The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, where this event takes place. It serves as the backdrop for the confrontation between true and false prophecy.
Teaching Points
Courage to Speak the Truth
Micaiah's example challenges us to stand firm in our convictions and speak God's truth, even when it is unpopular or risky.

Discernment in Leadership
The account highlights the importance of seeking godly counsel and discernment, especially for those in positions of leadership.

The Danger of False Prophecy
This account serves as a warning against listening to voices that do not align with God's word, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment.

The Role of Godly Influence
Jehoshaphat's presence and insistence on seeking the Lord's counsel remind us of the impact that godly influence can have in guiding decisions.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Micaiah's faithfulness, despite knowing the potential for persecution, encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith during challenging times.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Micaiah's response to King Ahab about the importance of speaking truth in our own lives?

2. How does the interaction between Ahab and Jehoshaphat illustrate the need for discernment in choosing whose counsel to follow?

3. In what ways can we identify and guard against false teachings in our own spiritual journey?

4. How does the account of Micaiah encourage us to remain faithful to God, even when facing opposition or persecution?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision. How can the principles from this passage guide you in seeking godly counsel and making wise choices?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 22
This chapter provides a parallel account of the same event, offering additional details and context about the interaction between Ahab, Jehoshaphat, and Micaiah.

Jeremiah 23
This passage discusses the distinction between true and false prophets, which is a central theme in the account of Micaiah.

Matthew 5:10-12
Jesus speaks about the blessing of being persecuted for righteousness' sake, which relates to Micaiah's willingness to speak the truth despite the consequences.
A Council of War: Jehoshaphat and Ahab Among the ProphetsT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 18:4-8
Divine Truth and its Typical ReceptionJ. Wolfendale.2 Chronicles 18:4-34
Speaking for GodW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 18:6-27
People
Ahab, Amon, Aram, Chenaanah, Imla, Imlah, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Micah, Micaiah, Syrians, Zedekiah
Places
Jerusalem, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria
Topics
Bring, Calleth, Chamberlain, Fetch, Hasten, Imla, Imlah, Imla's, Micah, Micaiah, Micai'ah, Officer, Officers, Quickly, Servants, Summoned, Unsexed
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 18:1-27

     7774   prophets, false

2 Chronicles 18:5-8

     8648   enquiring of God

Library
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

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

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

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

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
2 Chronicles 18:8 NIV
2 Chronicles 18:8 NLT
2 Chronicles 18:8 ESV
2 Chronicles 18:8 NASB
2 Chronicles 18:8 KJV

2 Chronicles 18:8 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Chronicles 18:7
Top of Page
Top of Page