2 Chronicles 18

2 Chronicles 18

1Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance ; and he allied himself with Ahab.

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 .

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 .”

4Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel , “Please enquire first for the LORD ’s word .”

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 .”

6But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there here a prophet of the LORD besides , that we may enquire of him ?”

7The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , “There is yet one man by whom we may enquire of the LORD ; 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 .”

8Then the king of Israel called an officer , and said , “Get Micaiah the son of Imla quickly .”

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 .

10Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, “The LORD says , ‘With these you shall push the Syrians, until they are consumed .’”

11All the prophets prophesied so , saying, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead , and prosper ; for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king .”

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 .”

13Micaiah said , “As the LORD lives , I will say what my God says .”

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 .”

15The king said to him , “How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the LORD ’s name ?”

16He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains , as sheep that have no shepherd . The LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace .’”

17The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , “Didn’t I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me , but evil ?”

18Micaiah said , “Therefore hear the LORD ’s word : I saw the LORD sitting on his throne , and all the army of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left .

19The LORD 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 .

20A spirit came out , stood before the LORD , and said , ‘I will entice him .’

“The LORD said to him , ‘How ?’

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 .’

22“Now therefore , behold , the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets ; and the LORD has spoken evil concerning you .”

23Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near , and struck Micaiah on the cheek , and said , “Which way did the LORD ’s Spirit go from me to speak to you ?”

24Micaiah said, “Behold , you shall see on that day , when you go into an inner room to hide yourself.”

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 ;

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 .”’”

27Micaiah said , “If you return at all in peace , the LORD has not spoken by me .” He said , “Listen , you people , all of you !”

28So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead .

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 .

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 .”

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 the LORD helped him ; and God moved them to depart from him .

32When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel , they turned back from pursuing him .

33A certain man drew his bow at random , and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armour. Therefore he said to the driver of the chariot , “Turn around and carry me out of the battle , for I am severely wounded .”

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 .

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