Micaiah

Prophecy

The events leading up to the appearance of Micaiah are illustrated in 1 Kings 22:1-12. In 1 Kings 22:1-4, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah goes to visit the King of Israel (identified later, in 1 Kings 22:20, as Ahab ), and asks if he will go with him to take over Ramoth-gilead which was under the rule of the king of Aram. Jehoshaphat the Judahite requests that Ahab the Israelite, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord” (1 Kings 22:5). Ahab then calls on his prophets and asks if he should go into battle against Ramoth-gilead. The prophets responded by telling the king of Israel to go into battle, stating that the Lord (Adonai) will deliver Ramoth-gilead into the hand of the king (1 Kings 22:6). Jehoshaphat asks if there are any other prophets of whom to inquire the word of the Lord (YHWH). Ahab mentions Micaiah the son of Imlah, but expresses dislike for him because his past prophecies have not been in favor of him (1 Kings 22:7-8). A messenger is sent to bring Micaiah to the king to give his prophecy. The messenger tells Micaiah to give a favorable prophecy to Ahab (1 Kings 22:12-13).

Micaiah replies to the messenger that he will speak whatever the Lord says to him (1 Kings 22:14). Micaiah appears before the king of Israel, and when asked if Ahab should go into battle at Ramoth-gilead Micaiah initially responds with a similar prophecy to that of the other prophets. Ahab then questions Micaiah, and insists that he speak nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord. Micaiah then gives a true prophecy, in which he illustrates a meeting of Yahweh with the heavenly hosts. At this meeting Yahweh asks who will entice Ahab to go into battle so that he may perish (1 Kings 22:19-20). A spirit comes forward, and offers to “be a lying spirit in the mouth of the prophets” (1 Kings 22:22). Therefore, the prophecies of the other prophets were a result of the lying spirit. As a result of this prophecy, Ahab ordered Micaiah imprisoned until he returned from battle, unharmed (1 Kings 22:27).

Perhaps concerned about the prophecy, Ahab disguised himself in battle rather than lead his troops openly as their king. However, Ahab was killed in battle after being struck by a randomly shot arrow. Micaiah's prophecy was fulfilled, contrary to the word of 400 false prophets, all of whom encouraged Ahab to attack with a prediction of victory.

This account is also recorded in 2 Chronicles, Chapter 18.

Rabbinical interpretation

The Babylonian Talmud (b.Sanhedrin 89a) accepts that the scene literally occurred in heaven. Against this Judah Halevi (Kuzari 3.73) considered the "prophecy" to be an example of the prophet's own rhetoric. Judah Halevi is followed by David Kimhi who argues that "prophecy is true by definition", and therefore Micaiah himself presented the vivid scene, using poetic dramatization to frighten and convince Ahab - "not that he saw these things, nor did he hear them."

Modern scholarly interpretation

Micaiah prophesies as though he was present at the meeting between Yahweh and the heavenly hosts. Michael Coogan of Harvard compares the prophecy of Micaiah to that of several other prophets, including Isaiah’s vision of the Divine Council (Isaiah 6:1-8). In Jeremiah 23, Yahweh warns against false prophecies. However, Coogan argues that unlike Isaiah 6 and Jeremiah 23, in 1 Kings 22 Yahweh’s actions to allow false prophecy to be given are deliberate and intentional. It appears as though Yahweh has an ulterior motive, and that is for Ahab to die, in this case at the battle at Ramoth-gilead.

R. W. L. Moberly of Durham University discusses Micaiah's prophecy in “Does God Lie to His Prophets? The Story of Micaiah ben Imlah as a Test Case.” In his article, Moberly discusses Hebrew prophecy as “relational, engaging language that seeks a response.” Moberly calls into question the honesty of Yahweh particularly in relation to a compassionate, loving God. He suggests that for the Deuteronomistic Historians who were the compilers of the text, while the compassion of Yahweh may be called into question, “God will be merciful come what may.”

Heavenly throne room

The prophecy is probably the earliest example in the Hebrew Bible of a representation of a heavenly throne room. It is not clear whether the prophecy represents Micaiah's own belief or a depiction of the beliefs of Ahab's prophets such as Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, who struck him after the prophecy (1 Kings 22:24).