Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’” New Living Translation Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’” English Standard Version And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’” Berean Standard Bible So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” Berean Literal Bible And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like the sheep that have no shepherd. And YHWH said, ‘These have no master; let them return, a man to his house in peace.’” King James Bible And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. New King James Version Then he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’ ” New American Standard Bible So he said, “I saw all Israel Scattered on the mountains, Like sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master. Each of them is to return to his house in peace.’” NASB 1995 So he said, “I saw all Israel Scattered on the mountains, Like sheep which have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace.’” NASB 1977 So he said, “I saw all Israel Scattered on the mountains, Like sheep which have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace.’” Legacy Standard Bible So he said, “I saw all Israel Scattered on the mountains, Like sheep which have no shepherd. And Yahweh said, ‘These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace.’” Amplified Bible And he said, “I saw all Israel Scattered upon the mountains, Like sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace.’” Berean Annotated Bible So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel (he wrestles with God) scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD {YHWH} said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace. Christian Standard Bible So Micaiah said: I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, “They have no master; let everyone return home in peace.” Holman Christian Standard Bible So Micaiah said: I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said,” They have no master; let everyone return home in peace.” American Standard Version And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace. Contemporary English Version He answered, "In a vision I saw Israelite soldiers walking around in the hills like sheep without a shepherd to guide them. The LORD said, 'This army has no leader. They should go home and not fight.'" English Revised Version And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace. GOD'S WORD® Translation So Micaiah said, "I saw Israel's troops scattered in the hills like sheep without a shepherd. The LORD said, 'These [sheep] have no master. Let each one go home in peace.'" Good News Translation Micaiah answered, "I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These men have no leader; let them go home in peace.'" International Standard Version So Micaiah replied: "I saw all of Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD told me, 'These have no master, so let them each return to his own home in peace.'" NET Bible Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. Then the LORD said, 'They have no master. They should go home in peace.'" New Heart English Bible He said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. The LORD said, 'These have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace.'" Webster's Bible Translation And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” World English Bible He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. Yahweh said, ‘These have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “I have seen all Israel scattered on the hills as sheep that have no shepherd, and YHWH says, These have no master; let them return—each to his house in peace.” Berean Literal Bible And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like the sheep that have no shepherd. And YHWH said, ‘These have no master; let them return, a man to his house in peace.’” Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'I have seen all Israel scattered on the hills as sheep that have no shepherd, and Jehovah saith, These have no master; they turn back each to his house in peace.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, I saw all Israel scattered to the mountains as sheep which not to them a shepherd: and Jehovah will say, No lords to these; they shall turn back a man to his house in peace. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said: I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, like sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said: These have no master: let every man of them return to his house in peace. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said: “I saw all of Israel scattered among the hills, like sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said: ‘These have no master. Let each of them return to his own house in peace.’ ” New American Bible So Micaiah said: “I see all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd, And the LORD saying, These have no master! Let each of them go back home in peace.” New Revised Standard Version Then Micaiah said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each one go home in peace.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Micah said, I saw Israel scattered upon the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return every man to his own house in peace. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Mikah said: “I have seen Israel scattered on the mountains as sheep without a Shepherd, and LORD JEHOVAH said: “They have no Master. Let them return each man to his house in peace.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he said: 'I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said: These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said, Not so. I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains as a flock without a shepherd: and the Lord said, Is not God lord of these? let each one return to his home in peace. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab…16But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?” 17So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” 18Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?”… Cross References So Micaiah declared: 2 Chronicles 18:15-16 But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?” / So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” Deuteronomy 18:18-19 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. / And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills Ezekiel 34:6 My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’ Jeremiah 50:17 Israel is a scattered flock, chased away by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to crush his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” Zechariah 10:2 For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd. like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Numbers 27:17 who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” And the LORD said, 2 Chronicles 18:18-22 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left. / And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that. / Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. … Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” ‘These people have no master; 1 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. let each one return home in peace.’” Judges 18:6 And the priest told them, “Go in peace. The LORD is watching over your journey.” 2 Kings 5:19 “Go in peace,” said Elisha. But after Naaman had traveled a short distance, 2 Chronicles 18:16 So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” Ezekiel 34:5-6 They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. / My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’ Treasury of Scripture And he said, I saw all Israel scattered on the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. I saw 1 Samuel 9:9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) Jeremiah 1:11-16 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree… Ezekiel 1:4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. as sheep 1 Kings 22:24-36 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? … Numbers 27:17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. 2 Chronicles 18:16,17 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace… Jump to Previous Hills Home House Israel Keeper Master Micaiah Mountains Peace Scattered Sheep Shepherd These TurnJump to Next Hills Home House Israel Keeper Master Micaiah Mountains Peace Scattered Sheep Shepherd These Turn1 Kings 22 1. Ahab, seduced by false prophets, by Michaiah's word, is slain at Ramoth Gilead37. The dogs lick up his blood, and Ahaziah succeeds him 41. Jehoshaphat's good reign 45. His acts 46. Jehoram succeeds him 51. Ahaziah's evil reign So Micaiah declared: Micaiah, a prophet of the Lord, stands in contrast to the false prophets who assured King Ahab of victory. His role as a true prophet is significant, as he speaks the word of God despite the pressure to conform. This highlights the biblical theme of the faithful remnant who remain true to God's word. I saw all Israel scattered on the hills: like sheep without a shepherd: And the LORD said: ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’ 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 delivers a prophecy that contradicts the false prophets of King Ahab. 2. Israel The northern kingdom, often led astray by its kings. In this context, Israel is depicted as vulnerable and leaderless, like sheep without a shepherd. 3. King Ahab The king of Israel at the time, known for his idolatry and opposition to the prophets of the Lord. He seeks counsel about going to war against Ramoth-gilead. 4. Jehoshaphat The king of Judah who allies with Ahab. He insists on seeking the counsel of a true prophet of the Lord, leading to Micaiah's prophecy. 5. Ramoth-gilead A city of strategic importance, the object of Ahab's military ambitions. The conflict over this city sets the stage for the prophecy and subsequent events. Teaching Points The Importance of True ProphecyMicaiah's willingness to speak God's truth, despite opposition, underscores the importance of seeking and adhering to genuine prophetic voices in our lives. Leadership and Responsibility The imagery of sheep without a shepherd highlights the critical role of leaders. Godly leadership is essential for guiding and protecting the people. Divine Sovereignty and Human Plans Despite human ambitions and plans, God's will ultimately prevails. We must align our desires with His purposes. The Consequences of Disobedience Ahab's disregard for God's word through Micaiah leads to his downfall. Ignoring divine warnings can result in dire consequences. Peace in God's Plan The prophecy ends with a call for the people to return home in peace, suggesting that true peace is found in obedience to God's direction. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 22:17?2. How does 1 Kings 22:17 illustrate the consequences of ignoring God's warnings? 3. What does "sheep without a shepherd" reveal about Israel's leadership in 1 Kings 22:17? 4. How can we discern true prophetic voices today, as seen in 1 Kings 22:17? 5. What parallels exist between 1 Kings 22:17 and Jesus' compassion in Matthew 9:36? 6. How can we apply the lessons of 1 Kings 22:17 to our leadership roles? 7. What does 1 Kings 22:17 reveal about God's sovereignty over human affairs? 8. How does 1 Kings 22:17 challenge the concept of free will? 9. Why does God allow deception in 1 Kings 22:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 22? 11. Who was King Jehoshaphat in the Bible? 12. Who was Micaiah in the Bible? 13. Why does God send lying spirits to deceive people (1 Kings 22:22)? 14. How does Deuteronomy 17:14-20's endorsement of a human king align with 1 Samuel 8's warning against monarchy, and are these texts contradictory? What Does 1 Kings 22:17 Mean So Micaiah declared• The prophet’s words come in direct contrast to the four hundred court prophets who promised victory (1 Kings 22:6, 13). • Micaiah’s declaration fulfills his earlier pledge: “Whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak” (1 Kings 22:14). • Scripture consistently presents true prophecy as originating with God, not human optimism (Jeremiah 23:16; 2 Peter 1:21). I saw all Israel scattered on the hills • Micaiah receives a genuine vision, not a mere opinion (cf. Numbers 24:2–4). • “All Israel” indicates national, not regional, distress—echoing Deuteronomy 28:25, where disobedience leads to scattering. • Hills surrounding Samaria would be the natural terrain where soldiers retreat in disarray (1 Kings 22:36). Like sheep without a shepherd • The image signals leaderless vulnerability (Numbers 27:17), later echoed by Jesus when He viewed the crowds (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34). • Shepherd imagery throughout Scripture highlights a ruler’s duty to guide, protect, and provide (Psalm 23:1; Ezekiel 34:2–6). • The comparison underscores the coming loss of King Ahab, whose flawed leadership leaves Israel exposed (1 Kings 21:20–22). And the LORD said • The vision shifts from what Micaiah sees to what he hears, emphasizing divine authority (Isaiah 1:2). • God’s direct speech demonstrates His active governance over Israel’s history, even in judgment (Daniel 4:32). These people have no master • “Master” points to Ahab; the prophecy foretells his imminent death (fulfilled in 1 Kings 22:34–37). • Without a king, Israel faces political and military disarray, a theme repeated after other royal failures (2 Kings 15:30–31). • The statement also reminds readers that earthly kings are temporary; only the LORD reigns eternally (Psalm 146:3–10). Let each one return home in peace • The phrase promises that ordinary soldiers will survive the campaign once their king falls, paralleling the mercy shown in 1 Kings 22:31–33 when enemy chariot commanders abandon pursuit. • God’s concern for individual lives amid national judgment recalls His sparing of the innocent in other events (2 Kings 25:24; Jeremiah 39:11–12). • Though “peace” contrasts with Ahab’s fatal end, it affirms God’s ability to separate punishment of leaders from preservation of people (Hosea 3:4–5). summary Micaiah’s vision plainly predicts Israel’s army fleeing, Ahab’s death, and God’s compassionate release of surviving troops. The passage reaffirms that authentic prophecy comes from the LORD, earthly leaders are accountable to Him, and even in judgment He extends mercy to the many while dealing justly with the unfaithful few. Verse 17. - And he said [We may imagine how entire was the change of tone. He now speaks with profound seriousness. Thenius sees in the peculiarity and originality of this vision a proof of the historical truth of this history. "We feel that we are gradually drawing nearer to the times of the later prophets. It is a vision which might rank amongst those of Isaiah or Ezekiel" (Stanley)], I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. [The last words are illustrated by the command of ver. 31; compare ver. 36. We may also picture the effect these words would have on the assembly at the city gate. For, however much they might be inclined to discredit Micaiah's words, and however much the reckless, unreasoning war spirit might possess them, there were none who did not understand that this vision portended the dispersion of the Israelite army and the death of its leader. King and people had been constantly represented under the figure of shepherd and sheep, and notably by Moses himself, who had used these very words, "sheep without a shepherd" (Numbers 27:17; cf. Psalm 78:70, 71; Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 23:1, 2; Ezekiel 34, passim. It is observable that Micaiah's vision, like Zedekiah's parable, borrows the language of the Pentateuch. Coincidences of this remote character are the most powerful proofs that the Pentateuch was then written.]Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So Micaiah declared:וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “I saw רָאִ֤יתִי (rā·’î·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7200: To see all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc scattered נְפֹצִ֣ים (nə·p̄ō·ṣîm) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 6327: To be dispersed or scattered on אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the hills הֶהָרִ֔ים (he·hā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country like sheep כַּצֹּ֕אן (kaṣ·ṣōn) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock without אֵין־ (’ên-) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle a shepherd. רֹעֶ֑ה (rō·‘eh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with And the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said, וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘These [people] לָאֵ֔לֶּה (lā·’êl·leh) Preposition-l | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those have no לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no master; אֲדֹנִ֣ים (’ă·ḏō·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller let each one אִישׁ־ (’îš-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person return יָשׁ֥וּבוּ (yā·šū·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again home לְבֵית֖וֹ (lə·ḇê·ṯōw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house in peace.’” בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (bə·šā·lō·wm) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace Links 1 Kings 22:17 NIV1 Kings 22:17 NLT 1 Kings 22:17 ESV 1 Kings 22:17 NASB 1 Kings 22:17 KJV 1 Kings 22:17 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 22:17 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 22:17 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 22:17 French Bible 1 Kings 22:17 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 22:17 He said I saw all Israel scattered (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
    |