2 Chronicles 18
โ 2 Chronicles 17 | 2 Chronicles | 2 Chronicles 19 โ
v1
Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and he allied himself with Ahab.
v2
After 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.
v3
Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, โWill you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?โ He answered him, โI am as you are, and my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.โ
v4
Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, โPlease inquire first for Yahwehโs word.โ
v5
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, โShall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?โ They said, โGo up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king.โ
v6
But Jehoshaphat said, โIsnโt there here a prophet of Yahweh besides, that we may inquire of him?โ
v7
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, โThere 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.โ Jehoshaphat said, โDonโt let the king say so.โ
v8
Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, โGet Micaiah the son of Imla quickly.โ
v9
Now 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.
v10
Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, โYahweh says, โWith these you shall push the Syrians, until they are consumed.โโ
v11
All the prophets prophesied so, saying, โGo up to Ramoth Gilead, and prosper; for Yahweh will deliver it into the hand of the king.โ
v12
The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, โBehold, 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.โ
v13
Micaiah said, โAs Yahweh lives, I will say what my God says.โ
v14
When he had come to the king, the king said to him, โMicaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?โ He said, โGo up, and prosper. They shall be delivered into your hand.โ
v15
The king said to him, โHow many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in Yahwehโs name?โ
v16
He said, โI saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. Yahweh said, โThese have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace.โโ
v17
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, โDidnโt I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?โ
v18
Micaiah said, โTherefore hear Yahwehโs word: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the army of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
v19
Yahweh said, โWho will entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?โ One spoke saying in this way, and another saying in that way.
v20
A spirit came out, stood before Yahweh, and said, โI will entice him.โ โYahweh said to him, โHow?โ
v21
โHe said, โI will go, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.โ โHe said, โYou will entice him, and will prevail also. Go and do so.โ
v22
โNow therefore, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets; and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you.โ
v23
Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, โWhich way did Yahwehโs Spirit go from me to speak to you?โ
v24
Micaiah said, โBehold, you shall see on that day, when you go into an inner room to hide yourself.โ
v25
The king of Israel said, โTake Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the kingโs son;
v26
and say, โThe king says, โPut this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.โโโ
v27
Micaiah said, โIf you return at all in peace, Yahweh has not spoken by me.โ He said, โListen, you people, all of you!โ
v28
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.
v29
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, โI will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but you put on your robes.โ So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle.
v30
Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, โDonโt fight with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel.โ
v31
When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, โIt is the king of Israel!โ Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
v32
When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.
v33
A 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, โTurn your hand, and carry me out of the army; for I am severely wounded.โ
v34
The 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.