2 Chronicles 18:7 kjv
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
2 Chronicles 18:7 nkjv
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say such things!"
2 Chronicles 18:7 niv
The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king should not say such a thing," Jehoshaphat replied.
2 Chronicles 18:7 esv
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."
2 Chronicles 18:7 nlt
The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, "There is one more man who could consult the LORD for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah." Jehoshaphat replied, "That's not the way a king should talk! Let's hear what he has to say."
2 Chronicles 18 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 22:8 | Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man, Micaiah son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him... " | Direct parallel; confirms the original source. |
| Isa 30:10 | Who say to the seers, "Do not see visions!" And to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things..." | Illustrates a people preferring flattering lies over hard truths. |
| Amos 5:10 | They hate him who reproves in the gate, And they abhor him who speaks uprightly. | People's hatred for those who speak honestly and critically. |
| Jn 3:20 | For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light... | Explains why truth (light) is hated by those in sin (darkness). |
| Psa 34:21 | Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned. | Links rejection of truth/righteousness with divine condemnation. |
| Jer 38:4 | Then the officials said to the king, "This man should be put to death..." | Shows rulers desiring to silence prophets bringing unwelcome news. |
| Gal 4:16 | Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? | Paul's experience, demonstrating how truth can cause enmity. |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. | Rejection of God's word akin to grave sins, mirroring Ahab's attitude. |
| Hos 4:12 | My people inquire of a wooden idol, and their divining rod gives them counsel... | Contrasts seeking false counsel with true inquiry of the LORD. |
| Isa 8:19-20 | And when they say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter... to the law and to the testimony!" | Calls people to seek God's revealed word, not spiritists. |
| Jer 23:25-28 | "I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name..." | Differentiates between false prophets and those speaking God's word. |
| Eze 13:3 | "Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit..." | Condemnation of prophets who do not speak God's word truthfully. |
| Deut 18:20-22 | But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name that I have not commanded... | Defines how to discern a false prophet from a true one (prophecy fulfillment). |
| 1 Kgs 20:42 | "...because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction..." | Ahab's previous acts of disobedience resulting in negative prophecies. |
| Psa 119:160 | The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. | Affirms the truthfulness and unchanging nature of God's word. |
| Mt 23:37 | "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets..." | Historical pattern of God's messengers being rejected and persecuted. |
| Zech 1:6 | "...But My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?" | God's word always comes to pass, validating the true prophets. |
| Num 22:38 | Balaam said to Balak, "...The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak." | Example of a prophet bound to speak only God's words, not human desire. |
| Gen 1:3-31 | "Let there be light..." and there was light... | Illustrates the power and authority inherent in God's spoken word. |
| Jn 14:6 | Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life..." | Jesus embodies ultimate truth, highlighting truth's personal nature. |
| Rom 1:28 | And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind... | Rejecting God's truth can lead to a hardening of the heart and mind. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword... | Describes the piercing and discerning power of God's word, confronting internal motives. |
2 Chronicles 18 verses
2 Chronicles 18 7 Meaning
King Ahab of Israel, seeking a convenient affirmation for his military plans, begrudgingly acknowledged the existence of one man, Micaiah, who truly could inquire of the LORD. However, Ahab openly declared his hatred for Micaiah, stating that this prophet never delivered favorable prophecies for him, but consistently spoke messages of impending calamity. This reveals Ahab's aversion to truth when it contradicts his desires, highlighting his preference for pleasing prophecies over God's actual word.
2 Chronicles 18 7 Context
This verse is pivotal within 2 Chronicles chapter 18, detailing an encounter between King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahab of Israel. They had formed an uneasy alliance through marriage, leading to Jehoshaphat visiting Ahab in Samaria. Ahab sought to persuade Jehoshaphat to join him in a military campaign to retake Ramoth-gilead from the Syrians. Jehoshaphat, despite agreeing to go, wisely insisted they "inquire of the LORD first." Ahab then gathered 400 of "his" prophets who uniformly affirmed success. Unsatisfied, Jehoshaphat pressed for a prophet of the LORD, leading to Ahab's grudging admission about Micaiah in this verse. Historically, King Ahab was a notoriously wicked king, heavily promoting Baal worship in Israel alongside his wife Jezebel, a practice abhorrent to Yahwistic faith. In contrast, Jehoshaphat, while generally righteous, showed a recurring weakness for alliances with ungodly rulers, a theme consistent in the Deuteronomistic history's assessment of Judah's kings. This scene sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between true prophecy and popular, deceptive pronouncements, ultimately culminating in Ahab's death in battle, just as Micaiah had foretold.
2 Chronicles 18 7 Word analysis
- And the king of Israel: This specifically identifies King Ahab, known for his wickedness and propagation of Baal worship in the northern kingdom. It contrasts sharply with the King of Judah, Jehoshaphat, emphasizing the spiritual chasm between them despite their alliance.
- said unto Jehoshaphat: Jehoshaphat's demand to consult "the word of the LORD" (verse 4) exposes Ahab's reliance on self-serving prophecies and prompts this reluctant confession.
- There is yet one man: Hebrew: 'eḥāḏ 'îš (אֶחָד אִישׁ), "one man." This highlights Micaiah's solitary and unique position, standing alone against 400 other "prophets." It underscores the scarcity of true divine revelation in Ahab's court, a consequence of his idolatry.
- by whom we may inquire of the LORD: Hebrew: darash Yahweh (דָּרַשׁ יְהוָה). To "inquire of the LORD" means to seek counsel or guidance from God, acknowledging His authority and sovereignty. Ahab implicitly concedes Micaiah's genuine prophetic anointing and connection to the true God, even if he despises the messenger. This phrase contrasts with consulting idols or false gods.
- but I hate him; Hebrew: śenē'tîhū (שְׂנֵאתִיהוּ), a strong verb expressing deep emotional antipathy. Ahab's hatred is not a casual dislike but a profound animosity rooted in his rejection of divine truth when it clashes with his desires and agenda. This personal feeling overrides any objective evaluation of truth.
- for he never prophesied good unto me, Ahab's criterion for a "good" prophecy is one that brings favorable news to him, not necessarily one that aligns with divine will or leads to righteousness. This reveals a self-centered approach to spirituality, where God's word is expected to serve human comfort rather than challenge sin or deliver uncomfortable truths.
- but always evil: Hebrew: ra' (רַע), here meaning 'calamity,' 'disaster,' or 'misfortune,' rather than moral 'evil.' Micaiah's prophecies consistently foretold judgment, defeat, and negative consequences for Ahab, a direct result of Ahab's persistent rebellion against God. Ahab views God's warnings of judgment as "evil" because they predict his downfall.
- the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. Identification of the prophet. "Micaiah" (מִיכָיְהוּ) means "Who is like Yahweh?" or "Who is like the LORD?". This name itself stands as a polemic against the idolatry promoted by Ahab, subtly challenging the idea that Baal or any other god is comparable to the one true God, Yahweh. His solitary position against many reflects the conflict between divine truth and widespread deception.
- "I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil": This entire phrase encapsulates Ahab's moral and spiritual depravity. It vividly portrays a king whose perception of divine revelation is entirely distorted by self-interest and animosity towards truth that holds him accountable. He defines "good" based on personal convenience rather than objective truth or righteousness. This rejection of divine warnings ultimately leads to his downfall, illustrating a core biblical principle that rebellion against God's word invites judgment.
- "There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD... but I hate him": This striking contrast highlights Ahab's dilemma and hypocrisy. He acknowledges Micaiah's unique access to divine counsel ("inquire of the LORD") but simultaneously confesses intense hatred for him. This reveals a profound spiritual tension where human preference clashes with divine authority, where the heart desires confirmation of its own path, even if it has to grudgingly admit where the true word of God lies.
2 Chronicles 18 7 Bonus section
- This verse sets up the central theological conflict of the chapter: the absolute authority of the "word of the LORD" (
דְּבַר יְהוָה) against all other forms of alleged prophecy, whether self-serving, demonically inspired, or simply human deception. Micaiah, despite facing overwhelming opposition from 400 false prophets who operated with a "lying spirit" (as revealed in the parallel 1 Kgs 22:22-23), remained faithful to speak only what the LORD revealed. - Ahab's characterization of Micaiah's prophecies as "always evil" showcases his warped perspective on God's warnings. What Ahab perceived as "evil" were actually righteous judgments and warnings from a holy God, intended to call him to repentance. His refusal to accept these warnings sealed his fate, highlighting that divine "evil" (calamity/judgment) is often a direct consequence of human "evil" (sin/disobedience).
- The scene highlights the king's responsibility to discern true prophets from false ones, a responsibility Ahab notoriously failed. Jehoshaphat's persistent request for "a prophet of the LORD" is a vital demonstration of genuine piety that seeks truth over expediency, despite his later poor choices in alliances.
- Micaiah serves as a profound archetype of the true prophet, a lone voice of fidelity to God amidst apostasy and deception, willing to incur the wrath of earthly powers to speak God's unpopular truth. His ministry stands in sharp contrast to the compliant prophets who speak according to the king's desires, showing that God's truth is not always palatable to the human palate.
2 Chronicles 18 7 Commentary
2 Chronicles 18:7 succinctly encapsulates the perennial human struggle with divine truth: the tendency to reject messages that challenge personal comfort, expose sin, or predict negative outcomes, even when acknowledging the source of that truth. King Ahab's candid hatred for Micaiah underscores a profound spiritual blindness. He correctly identifies Micaiah as the authentic channel for inquiring of the LORD, an admission that validates the prophet's true anointing and access to God. Yet, this acknowledgement is immediately overshadowed by his resentment for the content of Micaiah's prophecies. Ahab desires confirmation for his own will, preferring the harmonious, pleasing pronouncements of 400 false prophets over the single, truthful voice of God's servant. This aversion to "evil" (calamity) prophecies reflects his refusal to heed God's warnings and repent. It demonstrates that the problem is not with the prophet or the message's accuracy, but with a heart resistant to accountability and divine correction. The passage stands as a stark warning: despising truth, even when recognized, leads to delusion and ultimately, disaster.