1 Kings 22:17

Micaiah Prophesies against Ahab · 1 Kings 22:13–28
Read 1 Kings 22

Translations

Modern
So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’”
Traditional
And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
Literal
And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like the sheep that have no shepherd. And YHWH said, ‘These have no master; let them return, a man to his house in peace.’”
Latin
Et ille ait: Vidi cunctum Israël dispersum in montibus, quasi oves non habentes pastorem. Et ait Dominus: Non habent isti dominum: revertatur unusquisque in domum suam in pace.

Original

Hebrew
English
So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’”

Notes

Like God himself (Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:10–11), Israel's kings and leaders were responsible for caring for the people, much like a shepherd cares for sheep (Numbers 27:16–17; Ezekiel 34:2, 11–16). The idea of the shepherd and the sheep, related to the coming Messiah (Ezekiel 34:23–24), was fulfilled in Christ, the Good Shepherd (John 10:1–11). Although he sacrificed his life for the sheep (John 10:14–18; 1 Peter 2:24–25), he still lives (Hebrews 13:20) and will return for them (1 Peter 5:4).

Parallels

2 Chronicles 18:12–27

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Ahab (King) Ben-Hadad Gilead (Place) Holy War Holy War Jehoram Jehoshaphat (Person) Kenaanah Kings, Books of First and Second Ordain, Ordination Ramoth-Gilead Shepherd Sons of the Prophets

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Seeking Counsel from God Before Battle Micaiah: A Prophet Who Reproved King Ahab Mountains: Afforded Pasturage Reproof: Faithfulness in Micaiah, of Ahab Syria: The Israelites: Under Ahab Sought to Recover Ramoth-Gilead From The Armies of Israel: Often Led by the King in Person Vision of Micaiah of the Defeat of the Israelites; of the Lord on his Throne; and of a Lying Spirit