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Micaiah – The Non-Politically Correct Prophet (1 of 2)

Focus Text: 1 Kings 22:14

The kingdom of Israel had been divided for several years with a major difference being the Northern Kingdom’s propensity to engage in idolatrous practices. Even at Sinai the children of Israel had flirted with idols despite God’s specific and explicit commandments to the contrary. However, on a scale, Judah (the Southern Kingdom) had been less likely to pursue idols than Israel (the Northern Kingdom). However, even Judah had her dark years when idols supplanted Jehovah and when the Law of God was largely disregarded.

For whatever reason, Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, went down to visit Ahab, King of Israel. One of Jehoshaphat’s objectives was apparently to make peace with the King of Israel (see 1 Kings 22.44). Out of that alliance, came the marriage of the son of Jehoshaphat to the daughter of Ahab (see 2 Kings 8.18). It has been said that politics make strange bedfellows and this was never more true than the strange alliances that existed from time to time between Northern and Southern Israel. Northern Israel was constantly pursuing idolatrous practices and Southern Israel was home to the temple, the house of Jehovah God who declared that Israel should have no other gods; what a proverbial mess!

At any rate, Jehoshaphat went to visit with Ahab and while there he was drawn into Ahab’s clandestine plot to attack Ben-Hadad, King of Syria. How foolish of Jehoshaphat to even entertain entering into such agreement with Ahab! Yet, he not only entertained the idea, he seriously entertained the idea and asked, of all people, Ahab to inquire of the Lord as the success of their joint military actions. What a travesty! So, Ahab obligingly called 400 of his best paid “prophets” and asked them whether or not they should go through with the plans to attack Syria. With one voice, they all affirmed the imminent success of their mission.

To Jehoshaphat’s credit, he smelled a mouse and asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?” (1 Kings 22.7). Begrudgingly Ahab responded, “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” (1 Kings 22.8). After further discussion, Ahab agreed to call for Micaiah to get his view of things. While the two kings awaited Micaiah’s arrival, they donned their royal robes and watched and listened to the state “prophets” as they scratched Ahab’s itching ears. Meanwhile, the king’s messenger arrived in Micaiah’s presence and without prompting, gave this advice: “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.” (1 Kings 22.13). With this terse admonition, the messenger asked Micaiah to shade his prophesy so that it agreed with the other prophets and to tickle Ahab’s ears even as his state-paid prophets were doing.

Micaiah’s response was, “As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak.” (1 Kings 22.14). Micaiah, the non-politically correct prophet! May his ilk increase!

Questions:

1. What was a major difference in the history of Northern and Southern Israel?

2. What motive would Ahab’s 400 prophets have of encouraging him to go to battle?

3. Why did Ahab hate Micaiah?

4. What did the king’s messenger ask Micaiah to do concerning his prophesy of Ahab, Jehoshaphat, and Ben-Hadad?

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