Bible passage: 1 Kings 22:19-28
Prophet: Micaiah
Written: More than 2,500 years ago
The prophecy found in 1 Kings 22:19-28 has an interesting twist -- the prophet Micaiah is warning King Ahab not to listen to his own prophets because they have been filled with a deceiving spirit and their advice will lead Ahab to his death.
Ahab chooses to ignore Micaiah and to have him imprisoned. Ahab listens to his own (false) prophets. They advise him to invade Ramoth Gilead, which he does. He is later killed in Ramoth Gilead.
Ahab was king of the northern kingdom of Israel, from about 871 BC to about 852 BC, about 2,800 years ago. His reign was during a time when the land of Israel was divided into two kingdoms. The southern kingdom was called Judah.
Here is 1 Kings 22:19-28 (WEB):
19 Micaiah said, "Therefore hear Yahweh's word. I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the army of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. 20 Yahweh said, 'Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One said one thing; and another said another.
21 A spirit came out and stood before Yahweh, and said, 'I will entice him.'
22 Yahweh said to him, 'How?'
He said, 'I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.'
He said, 'You will entice him, and will also prevail. Go out and do so.' 23 Now therefore, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you."
24 Then 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?"
25 Micaiah said, "Behold, you will see on that day, when you go into an inner room to hide yourself."
26 The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son. 27 Say, 'The king says, "Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace."'"
28 Micaiah said, "If you return at all in peace, Yahweh has not spoken by me." He said, "Listen, all you people!"