3 Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, 4 and sought not unto the Baalim; but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in 6 abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of 7 Judah. Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to 8 teach in the cities of Judah; and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the 9 Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the LORD with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught 10 among the people. And 'the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made II no war against Jehoshaphat. And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven 12 thousand and seven hundred he-goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great 13 exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store. And he had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men 14 of valour, in Jerusalem. And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses: of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred 15 thousand and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two 16 hundred and fourscore thousand: and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two 17 hundred thousand mighty men of valour: and of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him two hundred thousand armed with 18 bow and shield: and next to him Jehozabad, and with him an hundred 19 and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war. These were they that waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah. Jehoshaphat's Alliance with Ahab. Prophecy of Micaiah. 1 Kings 22. I. 22 And they continued three years without war between Syria and 2 Israel. And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came 3 down to the king of Israel. And the king of Israel said unto his 2 Chronicles 18. I. 18 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance; and he joined affinity with Ahab. 2 And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the 1 Or, a terror from the LORD servants, Know ye that Ramothgilead is ours, and we 'be still, and take it not out of the hand 4 of the king of Syria? And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. 5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD 6 to-day. Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the 7 king. But Jehoshaphat said, a Is there not here besides prophet of the LORD, that we 8 might inquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah : but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, 9 Let not the king say so. Then the king of Israel called an 2 officer, and said, Fetch quickly IO Micaiah the son of Imlah. Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied II before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they people that were with him, and moved him to go up with him 3 to Ramoth-gilead. And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the 4 war. And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD 5 to-day. Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God shall deliver it into the 6 hand of the king. But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here besides a prophet of the LORD, that we might inquire of him? 7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD but I hate him; for he never prophesieth good concerning me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not 8 the king say so. Then the king of Israel called an 1officer, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the 9 son of Imla. Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king* of Judah sat each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they sat in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria ; and all the prophets prophesied IO before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they 1 Or, eunuch 2 Heb. a threshing-floor. 12 be consumed. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the 13 king. And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good. 14 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto 15 me, that will I speak. And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go up, and prosper; and the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the 16 king. And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the 17 name of the LORD? 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 18 house in peace. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning 19 me, but evil? And he said, Therefore hear thou 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 hand and on his left. 20 And the LORD said, Who shall 1entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner; and another said on that manner. 1 Or, deceive II be consumed. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and ✓ prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the 12 king. And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words. of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth: let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak 13 thou good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what my God saith, that will I speak. 14 And when he was come to the 15 king, the king said unto him, 1Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper; and they shall be delivered into your hand. And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name 16 of the LORD? 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 17 house in peace. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning 18 me, but evil? And he said, Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. 19 And the LORD said, Who shall 2entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another 20 saying after that manner. And 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and 22 said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets ; and the LORD hath spoken evil 24 concerning thee. Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the spirit of the LORD from me to 25 speak unto thee? And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day, when thou shalt go 2into an inner chamber to hide 26 thyself. And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the 27 king's son; and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. 28 And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, ye peoples, all of you. V22 Battle of Ramoth-Gilead, 29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah 30 went up to Ramoth-gilead. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the 1 Heb. the spirit. 2 Or, from chamber to chamber 3 See Micah i. 2. there came forth 1a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD 21 said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets; and the LORD hath spoken evil 23 concerning thee. Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the spirit of the LORD from 24 me to speak unto thee? And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to 25 hide thyself. And the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to 26 Joash the king's son; and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I 27 return in peace. And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, 3 Hear, ye peoples, all of you. 28 and Death of Ahab. 3 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went 29 up to Ramoth-gilead. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of 1 Heb. the spirit. 2 Or, from chamber to chamber 3 See Micah i. 2. king of Israel disguised himself, 31 and went into the battle. Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty and two captains of his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only 32 with the king of Israel. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel; and they turned aside to fight against him and 33 Jehoshaphat cried out. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. 34 And a certain man drew his bow : 1at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between 'the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am sore 35 wounded. And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even and the blood ran out of the wound into the bottom of the 36 chariot. And there went a cry throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every 37 man to his country. So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Sa38 maria. And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; (now the harlots washed themselves there;) according unto the word of the LORD which he 39 spake. Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which Israel disguised himself; and 30 they went into the battle. Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. 31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they turned about to fight against him but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from 32 him. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pur33 suing him. And a certain man drew his bow 'at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between 'the joints of the harness: wherefore he said to the driver of the chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I 34 am sore wounded. And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the going down of the sun he died. |