2 Chronicles 18 20

2 Chronicles 18:20 kjv

Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?

2 Chronicles 18:20 nkjv

Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will persuade him.' The LORD said to him, 'In what way?'

2 Chronicles 18:20 niv

Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' "?'By what means?' the LORD asked.

2 Chronicles 18:20 esv

Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, 'I will entice him.' And the LORD said to him, 'By what means?'

2 Chronicles 18:20 nlt

and finally a spirit approached the LORD and said, 'I can do it!' "'How will you do this?' the LORD asked.

2 Chronicles 18 verses

2 Chronicles 18 20 Meaning

This verse depicts a crucial scene in Micaiah's prophetic vision, revealing a divine council where the LORD poses a question regarding the enticement of Ahab to his death. It signifies God's sovereign control over the destiny of nations and wicked rulers, orchestrating events even through seemingly malevolent means (a lying spirit) to bring about His just judgment. The dialogue in the heavenly realm demonstrates a divine plan for Ahab's demise at Ramoth-gilead, which is not accidental but preordained.

2 Chronicles 18 20 Context

Chapter 18 of 2 Chronicles details the ill-fated alliance between Jehoshaphat, the righteous king of Judah, and Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, concerning a military campaign against Ramoth-gilead. Despite Jehoshaphat's initial insistence on inquiring of the LORD, Ahab consults his 400 false prophets who uniformly promise victory. When Micaiah, the true prophet, is finally called upon, he initially gives a mocking affirmative answer before revealing the divine truth. Verse 20 is the core of Micaiah's terrifying vision of the heavenly council, where God Himself orchestrates Ahab's demise. Historically, this account highlights the spiritual dangers of unholy alliances and the absolute sovereignty of God over human affairs, including the bringing about of judgment through seemingly deceptive means, as a direct polemic against reliance on human wisdom or false spiritual guidance.

2 Chronicles 18 20 Word analysis

• Then the LORD said,: Emphasizes divine initiative and authority. "LORD" (יְהוָה֙, Yahweh) is God's covenant name, signifying His personal involvement and unchangeable character in enacting His will. This phrase indicates God is not surprised or deliberating uncertainty, but initiating the means to fulfill a predetermined judgment.
• ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel,: "Entice" (יֶֽתְמְע֗וֹ, yetma'oh) stems from a root often meaning "to open," "to persuade," "to deceive," or "to allure." Here, it signifies a purposeful misleading, specifically to draw Ahab into a situation that leads to his downfall. This is not God tempting Ahab to sin, but orchestrating the consequence of Ahab's inherent wickedness. It reflects God's complete control, even over the actions of those who operate with deceptive intentions, ultimately serving His purpose. Ahab, known for his extreme idolatry and evil deeds (1 Ki 16:30-33), is already a condemned figure.
• that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’: "Fall" (וְיִפֹּ֖ל, veyippol) unmistakably means to be defeated and killed. Ramoth-gilead was a strategically important city, a constant point of contention between Israel and Aram (Syria), highlighting the military and political backdrop to God's judgment. The location of Ahab's demise is specifically divinely appointed.
• And one said in this manner, and another said in that manner.: This depicts the celestial deliberations within the divine council, a scene of structured celestial bureaucracy under God's ultimate authority. It’s not God soliciting opinions due to lack of knowledge, but showcasing the precise, ordered way in which divine judgments are enacted, with various spiritual entities perhaps proposing methods, ultimately leading to the "lying spirit's" volunteering (as seen in the following verse, 2 Chr 18:21).

Words-group analysis

• Then the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab...?’: This question from the LORD highlights His complete sovereignty. He has decided Ahab's fate, and now seeks the agent and method to execute that judgment. It's a dramatic literary device to convey God's direct involvement in the specific means of judgment, not His moral compromise.
• entice Ahab... that he may go up and fall: This phrase directly links the method of enticement with the predetermined outcome: Ahab's death in battle. God uses deceptive means to lead an already rebellious king to his inevitable destruction, illustrating that judgment aligns with and is accomplished through natural or even supernaturally orchestrated means, yet by God's decree.
• And one said in this manner, and another said in that manner: This collective exchange among heavenly beings underscores the reality of a functioning divine administration, serving God's singular purpose. It sets the stage for the specific volunteering of the "lying spirit" in the subsequent verse, confirming God's ability to even harness the intentions of spirits who delight in falsehood for His righteous judgments.

2 Chronicles 18 20 Bonus section

This narrative vividly portrays the concept of a "heavenly council" or "divine assembly" (sod Elohim), a common ancient Near Eastern motif reinterpreted biblically to affirm God's absolute uniqueness and supremacy. Unlike polytheistic versions, here Yahweh is the sole decisive authority, posing the question and permitting the execution of the plan. The discussion among "spirits" demonstrates the methodical nature of God's judgments and His ability to control and direct even spiritual entities that operate with malicious intent, turning their plans towards His righteous ends. The vision serves as a theological warning against disregarding prophetic truth and aligning oneself with those rejected by God. It also provides profound insight into how divine will is executed through various, often unexpected, channels in the visible world.

2 Chronicles 18 20 Commentary

2 Chronicles 18:20 presents a profound glimpse into God's sovereign administration of justice, revealing that the downfall of the wicked is part of His divine plan. Through Micaiah's vision, we see a heavenly council where the LORD directs the method of Ahab's demise, seeking a means to lure him to Ramoth-gilead for his destruction. This demonstrates God's active involvement, not in causing Ahab's sin, but in bringing the appropriate consequence for his profound wickedness and idolatry. It's crucial to understand that God does not tempt individuals to commit evil (Jas 1:13); rather, He allows and even orchestrates circumstances where those who have chosen a path of sin are led to their self-chosen ruin. The verse stands as a strong indictment against false prophecy and the folly of seeking comfortable lies over uncomfortable truths. It confirms that all authority, even over deceptive spirits, ultimately rests with God, who permits certain actions to fulfill His ultimate, righteous purposes.