2 Chronicles 18:5-34 ▼

5 So the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead (heights) (rocky region), or should we refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and God {Elohim} will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

6 But Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD {YHWH} here of whom we can inquire?”

7 The king of Israel (he wrestles with God) answered (YHWH has judged), “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD {YHWH}, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah (who is like God) son of Imlah (whom God will fill up).” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.

8 So the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah (who is like God) son of Imlah at once (whom God will fill up).”

9 Dressed in royal attire, the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) and Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) king of Judah (praised) were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria (watch mountain), with all the prophets prophesying before them.

10 Now Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) son of Chenaanah (trader) had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans (exalted) until they are finished off.’”

11 And all the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead (heights) (rocky region) and triumph, for the LORD {YHWH} will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

12 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah (who is like God) instructed him, “Behold, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”

13 But Micaiah (who is like God) said, “As surely as the LORD {YHWH} lives, I will speak whatever my God {Elohay} tells me.”

14 When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah (who is like God), should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead (heights) (rocky region), or should we refrain?” “Go up and triumph,” Micaiah replied, “for they will be delivered into your⁺ hand.”

15 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 {YHWH}?”

16 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.’”

17 Then the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) said to Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged), “Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?”

18 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD {YHWH}: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left.

19 And the LORD {YHWH} said, ‘Who will entice Ahab (father's brother) king of Israel (he wrestles with God) to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead (heights) (rocky region)?’ And one suggested this, and another that.

20 Then a spirit {ruach} came forward, stood before the LORD {YHWH}, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD.

21 And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit {ruach} in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’

22 So you see, the LORD {YHWH} has put a lying spirit {ruach} in the mouths of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”

23 Then Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) son of Chenaanah (trader) went up, struck Micaiah (who is like God) in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD {Ruach YHWH} go when He departed from me to speak with you?”

24 Micaiah (who is like God) replied, “You will soon see, on that day when you go and hide in an inner room.”

25 And the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) declared, “Take Micaiah (who is like God) and return him to Amon (skilled workman) the governor of the city and to Joash (given by the Lord) the king’s son,

26 and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”

27 But Micaiah (who is like God) replied, “If you ever return safely, the LORD {YHWH} has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take heed, all you people!”

28 So the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) and Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) king of Judah (praised) went up to Ramoth-gilead (heights) (rocky region).

29 And the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) said to Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged), “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

30 Now the king of Aram (exalted) had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel (he wrestles with God).”

31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged), they said, “This is the king of Israel (he wrestles with God)!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD {YHWH} helped him. God {Elohim} drew them away from him.

32 And when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel (he wrestles with God), they turned back from pursuing him.

33 However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around \Turn your hand/ and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!”

34 The battle raged throughout that day, and the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans (exalted) until evening. And at sunset he died.