Read 1 Kings 22.1-17. In 22.1-53: The prophecy of Micaiah. In verse 2: As in ch. 20, the king of Israel in this story was originally not identified. The identification as Ahab is secondary and probably incorrect. In verse 3: Ramoth-gilead was an import site east of the Jordan river. In verse 5: The fact that Jehoshaphat wants to inquire of the Lord reflects the author's positive view of him. The king of Israel is depicted as an enemy of the true prophet, Micaiah. In verse 6; The prophets are probably court prophets who were sustained by the king. It is not clear whether they are even worshippers of the Lord (Yahweh). In fact, the number four hundred recalls the prophets of Baal in 18.19. Their oracle appears favorable to the king, but it could be ambiguous since they do not say which king will be given victory. In verse 7: Jehoshaphat is skeptical of the quick answer and the unanimity of the 400 prophets, so he requests another prophet of the Lord, one who is a true prophet of Yahweh but not associated with the 400 court prophets. In verse 8: The fact that Micaiah ... never prophesies anything favorable about the king but only disaster is an indication that Micaiah is a true prophet, since prophets often opposed kings. In verse 10: A threshing floor was a broad, flat area where grain was separated from the hull. Kings are often pictured in the Bible as sitting enthroned outside in similar settings (1 Sam 14.2; 22.6). In verse 11: Prophets in the Bible often carried out symbolic acts like one described here (Jer 13; Ezek 4). Nothing is known outside of this story about this Zedekiah. By his name he was a worshipper of the Lord (Yahweh). Comments or Questions..
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