1 Kings 22:6

Ahab and the False Prophets · 1 Kings 22:1–12
Read 1 Kings 22

Translations

Modern
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
Traditional
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth–gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
Literal
And the king of Israel gathered together the prophets, about four hundred men, and he said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to fight, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
Latin
Congregavit ergo rex Israël prophetas, quadringentos circiter viros, et ait ad eos: Ire debeo in Ramoth Galaad ad bellandum, an quiescere? Qui responderunt: Ascende, et dabit eam Dominus in manu regis.

Original

Hebrew
English
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

Notes

Following ancient Near Eastern tradition, Jehoshaphat asked the two kings to seek God's will before battle. This tradition appears in Aramean, Moabite, and Assyrian writings, as well as in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 23:2–4; 2 Samuel 5:19–25). Despite Ahab's doubts, Jehoshaphat insisted on calling Micaiah, a true prophet of God.

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Jehoshaphat

Parallels

2 Chronicles 18:1–11

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Places

Ramoth: City of refuge east of the Jordan

Glossary

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

Topics

Prophets: False: 400 in Samaria Syria: The Israelites: Under Ahab Sought to Recover Ramoth-Gilead From The Armies of Israel: Often Led by the King in Person