2 Chronicles 18: Jehoshaphat joins Ahab, and Micaiah's vision
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What happens?
Jehoshaphat has riches and honor and allies himself with Ahab, then goes down to Samaria, where Ahab urges him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead. Four hundred prophets say to go up, but Micaiah tells of a vision of Yahweh on his throne, in which a spirit says it will be a lying spirit in the mouth of the prophets, Zedekiah strikes him and the king orders him put in prison. The two kings go up to the battle, Ahab disguises himself, a man draws his bow and strikes him, and he dies at about sunset.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. No verse is in gold: every word the text gives to Yahweh is inside what someone else says or reports. Ahab, Jehoshaphat, the four hundred prophets, Zedekiah, the messenger, Micaiah and the captains all speak. Zedekiah says "Yahweh says" in verse 10, and the prophets say "Yahweh will deliver it" in verse 11, but those are their words. In verses 16 and 18 to 22 Micaiah tells what he saw, and the words he gives to Yahweh ("These have no master" in verse 16, and "Who will entice Ahab...?" and "How?" and "You will entice him" in verses 19 to 21) are inside his telling, so they are not in gold. The words of the spirit in verses 20 and 21 are the spirit's, as Micaiah tells them. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and he allied himself with Ahab.
In plain English: Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and he allied himself with Ahab (literally: he became a son-in-law to Ahab; see the note).
The Hebrew word: "Allied himself" is chathan, which the dictionary gives as "to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage". Word for word the verse says he "became a son-in-law" to Ahab.
How it is translated: This Bible says "allied himself" only here, in 1 of the 32 verses that use the word. The verse does not say how the tie was made. says a later king of Judah "had Ahab's daughter as his wife".
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2After some years, he went down to Ahab to Samaria. Ahab killed sheep and cattle for him in abundance, and for the people who were with him, and moved him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead.
In plain English: After some years he went down to Ahab at Samaria. Ahab killed sheep and cattle in abundance for him and for the people who were with him, and urged him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead (literally: incited him; see the note).
The Hebrew word: "Moved him" (in this study's plain line, "urged him") is suth, which the dictionary gives as "properly, to prick, i.e. (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce". Word for word the Hebrew says "he incited him".
How it is translated: This Bible says "moved" in 4 of the 18 verses that use the word. The same word is in , where God "moved" the chariot captains away from Jehoshaphat.
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3Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?” He answered him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.”
In plain English: Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?" He said to him, "I am as you are, and my people as your people. We will be with you in the war."
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4Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for Yahweh’s word.”
In plain English: Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please seek (or: inquire for) the word of Yahweh first."
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5Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?” They said, “Go up, for God will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
In plain English: The king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I hold back?" They said, "Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king."
Good to know: The four hundred prophets say "God will deliver it" here, and "Yahweh will deliver it" in . Jehoshaphat asks in for "a prophet of Yahweh". has the prophets say "the Lord will deliver it". The text does not say more about these four hundred.
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6But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there here a prophet of Yahweh besides, that we may inquire of him?”
In plain English: Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here still a prophet of Yahweh, that we may inquire of him?"
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7The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.” Jehoshaphat said, “Don’t let the king say so.”
In plain English: The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla." Jehoshaphat said, "Don't let the king say so."
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8Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, “Get Micaiah the son of Imla quickly.”
In plain English: The king of Israel called an officer and said, "Bring Micaiah the son of Imla quickly."
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9Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah each sat on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they were sitting in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.
In plain English: The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting, each on his throne, dressed in their robes. They were sitting at a threshing floor (this Bible: an open place; see the note) at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them.
The Hebrew word: "An open place" is goren, which the dictionary gives as "a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area".
How it is translated: This Bible says "threshing floor" in 32 of the 37 verses that use the word, and "open place" in 2 of them.
What changes: Read as "threshing floor", the two kings sat on a threshing floor at the gate. Read as "open place", they sat in an open area there. The text does not say which.
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10Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, “Yahweh says, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians, until they are consumed.’”
In plain English: Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, "Yahweh says, 'With these you shall push the Syrians, until they are destroyed.'"
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11All the prophets prophesied so, saying, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead, and prosper; for Yahweh will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
In plain English: All the prophets were prophesying the same way, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead, and succeed, for Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king."
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12The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. Let your word therefore, please be like one of theirs, and speak good.”
In plain English: The messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Look, the words of the prophets with one mouth are good for the king. Please let your word be like one of theirs, and speak good."
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13Micaiah said, “As Yahweh lives, I will say what my God says.”
In plain English: Micaiah said, "As Yahweh lives, what my God says, that I will speak."
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14When he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?” He said, “Go up, and prosper. They shall be delivered into your hand.”
In plain English: When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I hold back?" He said, "Go up, and succeed. They will be given into your hand."
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15The king said to him, “How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in Yahweh’s name?”
In plain English: The king said to him, "How many times must I make you swear that you will tell me only the truth in the name of Yahweh?"
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16He 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.’”
In plain English: He said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep that have no shepherd. Yahweh said, 'These have no master. Let each one return to his house in peace.'"
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17The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”
In plain English: The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he does not prophesy good concerning me, only evil?"
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18Micaiah said, “Therefore hear Yahweh’s word: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the army of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
In plain English: Micaiah said, "So hear the word of Yahweh. I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the host (or: army) of the heavens standing on his right hand and on his left.
Good to know: tells the same vision in nearly the same words. Micaiah says he saw Yahweh on his throne and the host of the heavens standing on his right and on his left. The verse does not say who the host are.
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19Yahweh said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ One spoke saying in this way, and another saying in that way.
In plain English: Yahweh said, 'Who will entice (or: deceive) Ahab king of Israel, so that he goes up and falls at Ramoth Gilead?' One said one thing, and another said another.
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20A spirit came out, stood before Yahweh, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ “Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’
In plain English: Then the spirit (this Bible: a spirit) came out and stood before Yahweh and said, 'I will entice him.' Yahweh said to it, 'How?'
The Hebrew word: "Spirit" is ruach, which the dictionary gives as "wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)". Word for word this verse says "the spirit", where this Bible says "a spirit".
How it is translated: This Bible says "spirit" or a longer form in 200 of the 348 verses that use the word.
What changes: Read as "a spirit", one spirit among those standing before Yahweh comes out. Read as "the spirit", it is a spirit the text speaks of as known. The text does not say which, and it does not say what the spirit is or where it was before it "came out". has Zedekiah say "the Spirit of Yahweh", with the same Hebrew word.
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21“He said, ‘I will go, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ “He said, ‘You will entice him, and will prevail also. Go and do so.’
In plain English: It said, 'I will go out and I will be a lying spirit (literally: a spirit of falsehood) in the mouth of all his prophets.' He said, 'You will entice him, and you will also prevail. Go out and do so.'
The Hebrew words: "Entice" in verses 19 to 21 is pathah, which the dictionary gives as "to open, i.e. be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way) delude". "Lying" is sheqer, which the dictionary gives as "an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)". Word for word the Hebrew says "a spirit of falsehood".
How it is translated: This Bible says "entice" or a longer form in 13 of the 26 verses that use pathah, and "deceive" or a longer form in 5 of them. It says "lying" in 21 of the 109 verses that use sheqer, and "falsehood" or a longer form in 14 of them.
Good to know: This Bible has "He said" twice in this verse. The first is the spirit speaking, and the second is Yahweh answering, as Micaiah tells it. has the same exchange in nearly the same words.
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22“Now therefore, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets; and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you.”
In plain English: Now look, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets, and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you."
Good to know: Micaiah says Yahweh "has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets" and "has spoken evil concerning you". The text goes no further than this about how the spirit is in their mouth. gives the prophets' words, "Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king". says "all these your prophets"; this verse does not have "all".
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23Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, “Which way did Yahweh’s Spirit go from me to speak to you?”
In plain English: Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh go from me to speak to you?"
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24Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day, when you go into an inner room to hide yourself.”
In plain English: Micaiah said, "You will see on that day, when you go into an inner room to hide yourself."
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25The king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;
In plain English: The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and take him back to Amon the governor (or: official) of the city, and to Joash the king's son,
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26and say, ‘The king says, “Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.”’”
In plain English: and say, 'The king says, "Put this man in the prison, and feed him bread of oppression and water of oppression until I return in safety."'"
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27Micaiah said, “If you return at all in peace, Yahweh has not spoken by me.” He said, “Listen, you people, all of you!”
In plain English: Micaiah said, "If you return at all in safety, Yahweh has not spoken by me." He said, "Listen, all you peoples!"
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28So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.
In plain English: So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.
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29The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle.
In plain English: The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you wear your own clothes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into the battle.
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30Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, “Don’t fight with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel.”
In plain English: The king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Do not fight with small or great, only with the king of Israel."
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31When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel!” Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
In plain English: When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "He is the king of Israel!" and they surrounded him to fight. Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him, and God drew them away from him (literally: lured them away; see the note).
The Hebrew word: "God moved them" is word for word "God lured them away from him". The Hebrew word is suth, the same as "moved" in .
Good to know: The verse says Jehoshaphat cried out, Yahweh helped him, and God moved the captains away. says only "Jehoshaphat cried out" at this point.
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32When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.
In plain English: When the captains of the chariots saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from following him.
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33A certain man drew his bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of the chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am severely wounded.”
In plain English: A man drew his bow at random (literally: in his innocence; see the note) and struck the king of Israel between the joints and the body armor. He said to the charioteer, "Turn your hand around and take me out of the camp (this Bible: out of the battle), for I am wounded."
The Hebrew word: "At random" is word for word "in his innocence" or "in his completeness". The Hebrew word is tom, which the dictionary gives as "completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence".
How it is translated: This Bible says "integrity" in 15 of the 24 verses that use the word, and "random" in 2 of them. says the same, "at random".
What changes: Read as "at random", the man did not aim at the king. Read as "in his innocence" or "in his completeness", the verse uses a word that usually means innocence or completeness, and the text does not explain it here. The text does not say which.
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34The battle increased that day. However, the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the evening; and at about sunset, he died.
In plain English: The battle grew fierce that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Syrians until the evening. At about the time the sun went down, he died.
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