1 Kings 22 25

1 Kings 22:25 kjv

And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

1 Kings 22:25 nkjv

And Micaiah said, "Indeed, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!"

1 Kings 22:25 niv

Micaiah replied, "You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room."

1 Kings 22:25 esv

And Micaiah said, "Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself."

1 Kings 22:25 nlt

And Micaiah replied, "You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!"

1 Kings 22 verses

1 Kings 22 25 Meaning

Micaiah, the true prophet of the Lord, declares a direct and condemnatory prophecy to Zedekiah, the false prophet who had struck him. He foretells that on the very day King Ahab falls in battle, Zedekiah will be exposed for his deception, reduced to shame, and compelled to seek refuge in the innermost, most secluded parts of a house to conceal himself from the ensuing chaos and judgment, signifying his public disgrace and the undeniable vindication of Micaiah's true prophecy.

1 Kings 22 25 Context

The verse is found within the narrative of King Ahab of Israel planning to go to war against Ramoth-gilead. He consults four hundred of his own prophets, who unanimously encourage him with favorable prophecies. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, suggests inquiring of a true prophet of the Lord. Reluctantly, Ahab sends for Micaiah, son of Imlah, whom he dislikes because Micaiah consistently prophesies negatively against him. Upon his arrival, Micaiah initially mocks Ahab's request by repeating the false prophets' message but then reveals the true vision: the defeat and death of Ahab, and a deceptive spirit permitted by God to lead the false prophets astray as a judgment. Zedekiah, one of the false prophets, strikes Micaiah on the cheek in an act of scorn and defiance, questioning the Lord's spirit. Micaiah's response in this verse directly prophesies Zedekiah's future humiliation and flight when the truth of Micaiah's word becomes undeniably manifest on "that day," which refers to Ahab's disastrous battle and death. This scene dramatically contrasts true prophetic courage with deceptive flattery and serves as a pivotal moment exposing the spiritual blindness of Ahab and the fate of false prophets.

1 Kings 22 25 Word analysis

• And Micaiah said: Micaiah (Mîkhayĕhû, meaning "Who is like Yahweh?") consistently stands as God's representative. His name is a theological statement in itself, highlighting the unique nature and supremacy of the Lord, contrasting with those who claim divine authority but serve themselves or false deities. The direct address highlights his unwavering resolve against a prominent false prophet despite recent assault.
• 'Behold': (הִנֵּה hinnēh) - This interjection serves to draw immediate and emphatic attention to what is about to be declared, signaling a weighty and certain prophecy, similar to "Listen!" or "Truly!". It emphasizes the divine origin and inevitability of the coming judgment.
• 'you': Refers specifically to Zedekiah, the false prophet who had just struck Micaiah, making the prophecy highly personal and retributive for his defiant act. This individual targeting underscores direct accountability for deception.
• 'shall go': (תָּבֹא tāvō', a form of בּוֹא bô', "to come," "to enter," "to go"). The verb choice signifies not a casual departure but an active, necessary movement into the indicated place, often implying seeking refuge or being forced into it. The imperfect tense here indicates a future event that is certain to occur, emphasizing the divine decree behind the action.
• 'into an inner chamber': (חֶדֶר בְּחֶדֶר ḥeder bĕḥeder, literally "a chamber within a chamber," or "chamber by chamber"). This idiomatic phrase implies the innermost, most secluded, and secret part of a house or dwelling. It symbolizes extreme privacy, isolation, and shame. It contrasts with Zedekiah's current public prominence and suggests he will seek a hiding place indicative of profound disgrace and fear, desiring to escape public view or the consequences of his failed prophecy. This detail emphasizes humiliation.
• 'on that day': (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא bayyôm hahû', "in the day, the certain one"). This is a technical term for a specific, future day of divine action or judgment, well-known in prophetic literature. Here, it explicitly refers to the day when Micaiah's prophecy concerning Ahab's death will be fulfilled, exposing the falsity of Zedekiah's word. It highlights the imminence and certainty of the coming judgment, binding the two prophecies (Ahab's death and Zedekiah's disgrace) together.
• 'to hide yourself': (לְהֵחָבֵא lĕhēḥāvē', the Niphal infinitive construct from חָבָא ḥāvā', "to hide," often with a reflexive or passive sense). This clarifies the purpose of going into the inner chamber – not for comfort or privacy but for concealment driven by fear, shame, and the desire to escape judgment or ridicule when Micaiah's true prophecy is realized. It paints a picture of a man disgraced, forced into secrecy by circumstances. This action is one of self-preservation motivated by the exposure of his lies.

1 Kings 22 25 Bonus section

The interaction between Micaiah and Zedekiah in this chapter provides a vivid theological commentary on the nature of prophetic authority and the consequences of rejecting divine truth. Micaiah's bold, consistent stance, despite physical assault and threat of imprisonment, demonstrates the courage required of a true prophet who prioritizes God's word above all. The "inner chamber" prophecy is not merely about physical hiding but speaks to the deeper spiritual reality of shame and loss of credibility that awaits those who operate by deception rather than divine revelation. It further illuminates how God, in His sovereign plan, can even permit a deceptive spirit to judge those who have already chosen to believe lies over truth, thereby bringing about His ultimate purposes and exposing falsehood. This entire episode serves as an enduring pattern for discerning between true and false spiritual leadership, emphasizing that divine authentication lies in the accurate fulfillment of the spoken word and alignment with God's revealed character.

1 Kings 22 25 Commentary

This verse is a sharp declaration of prophetic judgment, starkly highlighting the profound chasm between true prophecy, rooted in God's unchanging truth, and false prophecy, which serves human desires and ultimately leads to disgrace. Zedekiah's public act of defiance—striking Micaiah—is met with a prophecy of equally public, yet paradoxically secret, humiliation. His flight "into an inner chamber" on the "day" of Ahab's defeat would be the visible sign that God's word through Micaiah had come true, while Zedekiah's self-proclaimed vision had failed. It is a powerful illustration of divine justice unfolding and a solemn warning against presuming to speak for God without His truth, revealing that eventually, the hidden truth will expose the lies, leading the deceivers to profound shame.