1 Kings 22:16 kjv
And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?
1 Kings 22:16 nkjv
So the king said to him, "How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"
1 Kings 22:16 niv
The king said to him, "How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"
1 Kings 22:16 esv
But the king said to him, "How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"
1 Kings 22:16 nlt
But the king replied sharply, "How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the LORD?"
1 Kings 22 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 18:20 | But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not... | Prophesying falsely in God's name is forbidden. |
| Num 22:38 | Balaam said to Balak, "Have I now any power at all to speak any thing?..." | Prophet can only speak what God reveals. |
| Jer 23:28 | The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him... | Distinction between human thoughts and God's word. |
| Ezek 13:6 | They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith... | Condemnation of prophets who speak falsehoods. |
| Mic 3:5 | Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err... | Prophets leading people astray with false peace. |
| Zech 13:3 | ...his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live... | False prophets face severe consequences. |
| 2 Tim 4:3-4 | For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their... | People desiring pleasing words over truth. |
| Isa 30:10 | Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things... | Desire for pleasant deception over divine truth. |
| Prov 12:17 | He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. | Truth as an indicator of righteousness. |
| Psa 119:160 | Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth... | God's word is eternally true. |
| Tit 1:2 | In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; | God's absolute inability to lie. |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God... | Necessity to discern true from false prophecy. |
| Gal 1:8 | But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel... | Condemnation of distorted messages from God. |
| 2 Pet 2:1 | But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers... | Warning against false teachers and prophets. |
| Jn 8:44 | Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do... | The devil as the father of lies. |
| Acts 5:3-4 | But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost...? | Lying to God/Holy Spirit is a serious offense. |
| Gen 24:3 | And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth... | Administering a solemn oath "by the LORD". |
| Jos 9:19-20 | But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them... | Keeping oaths made in the name of God. |
| Lev 19:12 | And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God... | Prohibition against misusing God's name for falsehood. |
| Mt 5:37 | But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these... | Call for simple, truthful speech (Jesus' teaching). |
| Jas 5:12 | But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth... | Warning against unnecessary swearing. |
1 Kings 22 verses
1 Kings 22 16 Meaning
King Ahab’s words to the prophet Micaiah convey his frustration and suspicion. He demands an explicit oath that Micaiah will speak only the unadulterated truth, empowered by the authority of the Lord (YHWH), and nothing less. This highlights Ahab’s deep distrust of Micaiah, who consistently delivered unfavorable prophecies concerning Ahab, yet it also acknowledges, paradoxically, the true source of legitimate divine revelation. Ahab sought a word from God but truly desired a convenient lie.
1 Kings 22 16 Context
This verse is at a pivotal moment in the reign of King Ahab of Israel, one of the most ungodly kings. Allied with King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Ahab seeks to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from Aram. Ahab gathers 400 court prophets who unanimously prophesy victory and favorable outcomes. Jehoshaphat, discerning that these may not be true prophets of the Lord, asks if there is another prophet of the Lord to consult. Ahab grudgingly admits there is Micaiah, son of Imlah, but complains that Micaiah "never prophesies good concerning me, but evil." Despite this prejudice and prior experiences with Micaiah's negative prophecies, Ahab commands Micaiah to be brought forth. It is when Micaiah initially offers a sarcastic affirmation of the court prophets' false prophecy of victory (to test Ahab's sincerity) that Ahab becomes exasperated and delivers the words of verse 16, demanding genuine truth under oath, highlighting the king's underlying suspicion and conflict between his desire and the divine word.
1 Kings 22 16 Word analysis
- "How many times": Implies frustration, a sense of having repeatedly faced defiance or expected an unwelcome truth. It suggests Ahab believes he already knows what Micaiah will say, indicating a pre-existing bias and tension.
- "shall I adjure thee": The Hebrew verb is הִשְׁבַּ֥ע (hish·ba‘), from the root שׁבע (shaba'), meaning "to swear," "to take an oath," or "to put under oath." Here, it signifies a formal, binding demand made under solemn spiritual obligation, often invoking a divine curse if broken. Ahab is forcing Micaiah into an unbreakable covenant of truth-telling.
- "that thou tell me nothing but that which is true": The Hebrew word for "true" is אֱמֶת (emet), signifying not merely factual accuracy but faithfulness, reliability, and ultimately, adherence to God's character and word. Ahab is not just seeking facts but the divine will as truly revealed. This is a critical distinction, as his other prophets offered "facts" (of victory) but were not "true" in the sense of being faithful to God's genuine word.
- "in the name of the Lord": בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה (bəšēm YHWH). This phrase signifies invocation of the divine authority of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Speaking "in the name of the Lord" transforms a mere statement into a divinely sanctioned declaration, carrying the full weight of God's character and power. Ahab's demand highlights his acknowledgment, albeit hypocritical, of Yahweh as the ultimate source of true prophecy, contrasting with the practices of prophets of Baal or other deities. It's an ironic plea, as Ahab consistently rejected this very Lord's commands throughout his reign.
1 Kings 22 16 Bonus section
The scene involving Micaiah, Ahab, and the 400 false prophets vividly illustrates the conflict between prophetic integrity and political expediency. It underscores that God's word is not subject to human will or manipulation, even by a king. Ahab's demand also serves as an unintended confirmation of Micaiah's legitimacy as a true prophet, as Ahab knew Micaiah would not compromise his divine mandate even under royal pressure. This instance stands as a warning against leaders who surround themselves with those who merely tell them what they want to hear, rather than the uncomfortable truth from God. It highlights the serious responsibility of a prophet to deliver God's message faithfully, regardless of personal risk or consequences.
1 Kings 22 16 Commentary
Ahab's demand in 1 Kings 22:16 is a remarkable moment of paradox and pretense. It reveals a king deeply ensnared by his own desires yet compelled to seek the Lord's authentic word due to pressure from Jehoshaphat and perhaps a lingering conscience. His exasperated question, "How many times shall I adjure thee," unmasks his distrust of Micaiah, knowing the prophet consistently prophesies according to God's will, which inevitably conflicts with Ahab's sinful ambitions. By invoking "the name of the Lord," Ahab simultaneously acknowledges God's supreme authority as the source of truth while also attempting to control that truth to fit his agenda. This demand sets the stage for Micaiah's subsequent, divinely inspired, and damning prophecy, exposing the deceptive spirits influencing Ahab's other prophets and foreshadowing Ahab's doom, a word Ahab tragically chooses to suppress rather than heed.