King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahab of Israel formed an alliance, and prepared to go to war against the king of Aram to recover Ramoth-Gilead for Israel (I Kings 22:2-4). King Jehoshaphat agreed to follow King Ahab’s leadership: “my people are your people, my horses are your horses.” But he also proposed that they should “inquire first for the word of the Lord” (22:5).

As it turns out, King Ahab had about four hundred court prophets, who all agreed enthusiastically that the king would prevail if he attacked: indeed, they were in a frenzy, shouting “Go up to Ramoth-Gilead and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king!” (22:12). But Jehoshaphat asked whether there might be one more prophet to consult. King Ahab replied, “There is still one other by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies anything favorable about me, but only disaster” (22:7-8).

The messenger who went to get Micaiah suggested he ought to make sure he agreed with the other four hundred prophets (22:13). And indeed, Micaiah’s first words appear to be supportive: “Go up and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king” (22:15). But his tone of voice must have been sarcastic, because Ahab clearly understood that Micaiah was not telling him the truth (22:15-16).

Then Micaiah gave his full prophecy, insisting the attack would be a disaster, and indicating that God had sent a lying spirit into the mouth of Ahab’s four hundred prophets. One of those prophets, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah slapped Micaiah’s face for saying this; and King Ahab ordered Micaiah put him in prison on reduced rations. Nothing further is known as to Micaiah’s fate. Did they release him – or even honor him – after Ahab had died in the battle (22:34-35), proving Micaiah’s prophecy was correct and the four hundred prophets had all been wrong? Or did they simply leave him in prison to die?

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Ah Lord God! Sometimes we can see so clearly the trouble we’ll get in if we tell people a painful truth they won’t like. Sometimes it seems like it might be much wiser to tell them what they want to hear. Grant us in those moments the courage to speak up with boldness and declare your word, and nothing else.