1 Kings 22 27

1 Kings 22:27 kjv

And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

1 Kings 22:27 nkjv

and say, 'Thus says the king: "Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction, until I come in peace." ' "

1 Kings 22:27 niv

and say, 'This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.'?"

1 Kings 22:27 esv

and say, 'Thus says the king, "Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace."'"

1 Kings 22:27 nlt

Give them this order from the king: 'Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!'"

1 Kings 22 verses

1 Kings 22 27 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate punitive action taken by Ahab, the King of Israel, against the prophet Micaiah. After Micaiah delivered a true, yet unfavorable, prophecy of defeat and Ahab's death, the king ordered him to be taken back into strict custody under the authority of Amon, the governor of the city, and Joash, the king's son. This command signifies Ahab's rejection of God's word through His prophet and his intent to silence a messenger who spoke an unwelcome truth.

1 Kings 22 27 Context

1 Kings chapter 22 recounts King Ahab of Israel's decision to reclaim Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans (Syrians), a venture Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, agrees to join. Before battle, Jehoshaphat requests a prophetic word from the Lord, leading to the gathering of four hundred prophets who all deliver a positive message of victory. However, Jehoshaphat remains unconvinced and presses Ahab for a true prophet of the Lord, reluctantly leading Ahab to summon Micaiah, son of Imlah.

When Micaiah appears before the kings, he initially delivers a sarcastic "yes" to victory, mimicking the false prophets. Challenged by Ahab, Micaiah then provides the true prophecy: Israel will be scattered without a shepherd, and Ahab will die in battle. He further reveals that a lying spirit, sent by the Lord, had filled the mouths of Ahab's four hundred prophets, signaling God's judgment upon the wicked king. Incensed by this grim prediction and divine explanation, Ahab dismisses Micaiah's word as unfavorable and, in verse 27, orders his re-imprisonment as punishment. This immediately precedes Ahab's fateful march to Ramoth-gilead, where he ultimately meets his death exactly as Micaiah prophesied.

1 Kings 22 27 Word analysis

• Then (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyōʾmer - "and he said" or "then he said"): This conjunction indicates an immediate reaction or a direct consequence of the preceding dialogue. It highlights the swiftness of Ahab's response to Micaiah's inconvenient prophecy.
• the king of Israel (מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל - meleḵ Yiśrāʾēl): Identifies Ahab by his formal title and role. This underscores that the command comes from the highest human authority in the kingdom, setting his power against the divine authority represented by Micaiah. It emphasizes the clash between temporal royal power and divine truth.
• said (אֶל־מִיכָיְהוּ - ʾel-Mîḵāyəhû): The simple verb indicates a spoken command. The direction "to Micaiah" specifies the target of his wrath and the object of the order.
• 'Take (קַח - qaḥ - imperative, "take"): A direct, forceful command. It conveys authority and implies the use of force or enforcement if necessary. Micaiah is treated as property or a criminal, to be handled physically.
• Micaiah (מִיכָיְהוּ - Mîḵāyəhû): Meaning "Who is like Yah?" or "Who is like the LORD?" The prophet's name itself is a question that points to the incomparable nature of God, implicitly challenging Ahab's rebellious actions and suggesting that no one (not even the king) can thwart God's will. Micaiah's name underscores his message: only God's word stands true.
• and return him (וְהָשִׁיבֵהוּ - wəhāšîḇēhû - "and cause him to return," or "bring him back"): This indicates a specific, controlled form of re-detention. It implies that Micaiah was already under some form of constraint or supervision, now being remanded back to a designated place of imprisonment. It's not just a banishment, but a secure incarceration.
• to Amon (אֶל־אָמוֹן - ʾel-ʾĀmôn): Amon, likely a trusted official responsible for civil administration, possibly chief magistrate or custodian of state prisoners. Handing Micaiah to him implies a formal and official detention. His name means "faithful" or "established," ironically.
• the governor of the city (שַׂר־הָעִיר - sar hāʿîr - "officer/chief of the city"): This specific title indicates a high-ranking official, typically responsible for the civic and military administration of the capital (likely Samaria). His involvement signals the formal and serious nature of Micaiah's imprisonment, sanctioned by the state.
• and to Joash (וְאֶל־יוֹאָשׁ - wəʾel-Yôʾāš): Joash (Yôʾāš), meaning "Yahweh is strong" or "Yahweh has given," is another figure of authority designated as a custodian.
• the king's son (בֶּן־הַמֶּלֶךְ - ben-hammeleḵ): While some translations might suggest a minor role, a king's son would hold a position of significant influence and authority. His inclusion in the custody order adds gravity and demonstrates that the royal family directly participated in silencing Micaiah, symbolizing the total rejection of God's word by the monarchy.

1 Kings 22 27 Bonus section

• Ahab's instruction is not merely to imprison Micaiah but to also subject him to a "diet of affliction" and "water of affliction" (1 Kgs 22:27b, not included in the prompt's specific verse but contextually vital). This detail, fully contained within the verse as typically presented, emphasizes the severe and humiliating nature of the intended punishment – a diet of scarcity and hardship meant to break the prophet's spirit and silence his message further.
• The fact that Amon is identified as "governor of the city" (likely Samaria, the capital) and Joash as "the king's son" suggests a clear chain of command and the official, systematic nature of the persecution. It wasn't a spontaneous act of anger but a calculated punitive measure by the royal administration.
• The scene underscores the pervasive influence of false prophecy in Ahab's court, where the 400 prophets confirmed what Ahab wanted to hear, contrasting sharply with the lone, courageous voice of Micaiah who stood for God's truth regardless of personal cost.

1 Kings 22 27 Commentary

1 Kings 22:27 highlights the deep chasm between worldly power, which seeks validation and control, and divine truth, which often brings discomfort but remains steadfast. King Ahab, enraged by Micaiah's accurate yet unwelcome prophecy, attempts to nullify the prophet's message by silencing the messenger. This action reflects a common pattern in the Scriptures: those who deliver God's unfiltered word often face opposition and persecution from human authorities who prefer to operate by their own will or pleasant lies. By remanding Micaiah to the governor of the city and the king's own son, Ahab ensures not only the prophet's secure imprisonment but also publicizes his absolute defiance of the divine warning. This act underscores Ahab's profound spiritual blindness and his ultimate trajectory towards divine judgment, despite clear revelation. The names of the officials, "Amon" (faithful/established) and "Joash" (Yahweh is strong), serve as ironic counterpoints to their actions, as they facilitate the king's rejection of Yahweh's prophet. Micaiah’s faithfulness under such pressure exemplifies the cost of delivering prophetic truth, foreshadowing many instances of God's servants facing similar trials for their steadfast witness.