22 Then almost three years went by without war between Aram (Syria) and Israel, 2 but in the third year, Yehudah’s King Yehoshafat went up north to visit Israel’s king.

3 While they were talking, King Ahav said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramot-Gilead should be ours, but we haven’t reclaimed it from Aram’s king?” 4 Then he asked Yehoshafat, “Will you go to war with us to reclaim Ramot-Gilead?”

“You and me are together,” Yehoshafat told Israel’s king. “My people are your people, and my horses are your horses.” 5 Then he added, “But let’s ask Yahweh about it first.”

6 So Israel’s king gathered about four hundred prophets together and asked them, “Should I attack Ramot-Gilead, or not?”

“Go ahead, because our master[fn] will give you victory,” they answered.

7 But Yehoshafat asked, “Is there no prophet of Yahweh still around here that we can ask?”

8 “There’s still one man who speaks for Yahweh,” Ahav replied to Yehoshafat, “Yimla’s son Mikayehu, but I myself hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me—only negative things.”

“The king shouldn’t talk like that,” said Yehoshafat.

9 So Israel’s king ordered an offical to fetch Yimla’s son Mikayehu straight away.

10 Now Israel’s king Ahav and Yehudah’s king Yehoshafat were both wearing their royal robes and sitting on thrones at a gate in Shomron’s city wall, and many prophets were speaking messages to them. 11 Kenaanah’s son Tsidkiyyah made some horns for himself out of iron and said, “Yahweh says that you’ll gore Aram with these until they’re destroyed.” 12 All the other prophets were prophesying similarly, saying things like, “Yes, attack Ramot-Gilead and be successful, and Yahweh will restore it back to you.”

13 Meanwhile the messenger who had gone to call Mikayehu told him, “Listen, please, all the other prophets agree together as they prophesy victory for the king. Please let your message be similar to theirs and be positive.”

14 “As surely as Yahweh lives,” Mikayehu responded, “I’ll only tell Ahav what Yahweh tells me to say.”

15 When he got to King Ahav, the king asked him, “Mikayehu, should we attack Ramot-Gilead, or not?”

“Go ahead and be successful,” he replied, “and Yahweh will give it back to the king.”

16 But looking at him, the king said to him, “How many times do I have to make you promise that you’ll only tell the truth about me when you pass on Yahweh’s messages?

17 “Well,” he said, “I saw all Israel scattered into the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and Yahweh said that they have no leaders so they should all return peacefully to their homes.”[ref]

18 “Ah,” King Ahav told King Yehoshafat, “Didn’t I tell you that he wouldn’t prophesy anything good about me—only bad news?”

19 But Mikayehu continued, “Listen to Yahweh’s message then: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the heavenly army were standing at both sides of him.[ref] 20 Then Yahweh asked who could deceive Ahav to attack Ramot-Gilead so that he’d get killed there. Some suggested one thing and others suggested something else. 21 Then a spirit came out and stood in front of Yahweh and offered to deceive the king, and Yahweh asked him how he intended to do it. 22 He replied that he’d go and be a false spirit so the kings prophets would tell lies, and Yahweh said that that would work and told him to go ahead and do it. 23 So now, listen, Yahweh has put a lying a spirit into all these prophets of yours, and Yahweh has declared disaster on you.”

24 Then Tsidkiyyah (Kenaanah’s son) went over and slapped Mikayehu on the face, and said, “Since when did Yahweh’s spirit leave me and start speaking through you?”

25 “Listen here,” Mikayehu replied, “you’ll find that out soon enough when you sneak into an inner room to try and hide.”

26 King Ahav commanded, “Take Mikayehu to Amon, the city commander, and to my son Yoash. 27 Tell them that the king orders them to imprison this man and limit his bread and water until I return safely.”

28 “If you do return safely,” Mikayehu remarked, “then Yahweh hasn’t spoken through me.” And he added, “Take note all you people.”