(Kelly Mcdonald JR) In 1 Kings 22, we find one of the most fascinating stories of the Bible. In this chapter, King Ahab, who ruled over the northern tribes of Israel, was preparing to go to battle. The Bible then tells us, “So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, ‘Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?’ ‘Go,’ they answered, ‘for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.’… 10 Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. 11 Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns and he declared, ‘This is what the Lord says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’’ 12 All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. ‘Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,’ they said, ‘for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.’ (I Kings 22:6, 10-12).
Imagine being in the room while this is going on. You have 400 prophets all speaking in tongues and foretelling the future. The atmosphere must have felt spiritual. I’m sure people could “feel” it. These men prophesied victory. From Ahab’s perspective, it must have felt good to have all these people telling you the same thing. I’m sure they felt that their faith was being built up by all these confirmations.
The king of the southern tribes was named Jehoshaphat. After he heard these prophets, he stated, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?” (I Kings 22:7). This king was not convinced that these 400 men were speaking according to God’s will. I can imagine some accused him of “prophesying out of bitterness”. Ahab responded to him in frustration, “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.’” (I Kings 22:8) Ahab didn’t like Micaiah because he didn’t say smooth, pleasing things. CONTINUE
