1-3. But even though Jehoshaphat was very rich and much honored, he made a marriage alliance with Ahab of Israel. Some time later he paid a visit to Ahab at Samaria. Ahab celebrated his visit with a feast—a huge barbecue with all the lamb and beef you could eat. But Ahab had a hidden agenda; he wanted Jehoshaphat’s support in attacking Ramoth Gilead. Then Ahab brought it into the open: “Will you join me in attacking Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat said, “You bet. I’m with you all the way; you can count on me and my troops.”
4. Then Jehoshaphat said, “But before you do anything, ask God for guidance.”
5. The king of Israel got the prophets together—all four hundred of them—and put the question to them: “Should I attack Ramoth Gilead or should I hold back?”“Go for it,” they said. “God will hand it over to the king.”
6. But Jehoshaphat dragged his feet, “Is there another prophet of God around here we can consult? Let’s get a second opinion.”
7. The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, “As a matter of fact, there is another. But I hate him. He never preaches anything good to me, only doom, doom, doom—Micaiah son of Imlah.”“The king shouldn’t talk about a prophet like that!” said Jehoshaphat.
8. So the king of Israel ordered one of his men, “Quickly, get Micaiah son of Imlah.”
18-21. Micaiah kept on, “I’m not done yet; listen to God’s word:I saw God enthroned,and all the Angel Armies of heavenstanding at attention,ranged on his right and his left.And God said, “How can we seduce Ahabinto attacking Ramoth Gilead?”Some said this,and some said that.Then a bold angel stepped out,stood before God, and said,“I’ll seduce him.”“And how will you do it?” said God.“Easy,” said the angel,“I’ll get all the prophets to lie.”“That should do it,” said God;“On your way—seduce him!”
25-26. The king of Israel had heard enough: “Get Micaiah out of here! Turn him over to Amon the city magistrate and to Joash the king’s son with this message: ‘King’s orders! Lock him up in jail; keep him on bread and water until I’m back in one piece.’”
28-29. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went ahead and attacked Ramoth Gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Wear my kingly robe; I’m going into battle disguised.” So the king of Israel entered the battle in disguise.
31-32. When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “There he is! The king of Israel!” and took after him. Jehoshaphat yelled out, and the chariot commanders realized they had the wrong man—it wasn’t the king of Israel after all. God intervened and they let him go.