1. For the next two years there was peace between Israel and Aram.
2. Then during the third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel.
3. Ahab asked his officials, “Remember when the king of Aram took Ramoth Gilead from us? That city is ours, so why have we done nothing to get it back?”
4. So Ahab asked King Jehoshaphat, “Will you join with us to go fight the Arameans at Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat answered, “Yes, you and I will be as one—my men and my horses will be as yours.
5. But first let’s ask the Lord for advice.”
6. So Ahab called a meeting of the prophets. There were about 400 prophets at that time. Ahab asked the prophets, “Should I go and attack the Arameans at Ramoth Gilead or not?” The prophets answered Ahab, “Yes, because the Lord will let you defeat Ramoth Gilead.”
7. But Jehoshaphat said, “Doesn’t the Lord have another prophet here? Let’s ask him the same question.”
8. King Ahab answered, “Yes, there is another prophet. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him because he will not say anything good about me when he speaks for the Lord. He always says things that I don’t like.” Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say that!”
9. So King Ahab told one of his officers to go and find Micaiah.
10. At that time the two kings were sitting on their thrones, with their royal robes on, at the judgment place near the gates of Samaria. All the prophets were standing before them, prophesying.
11. One of the prophets was named Zedekiah son of Kenaanah. Zedekiah made some iron horns and said to Ahab, “The Lord says, ‘You will use these iron horns to fight against the army of Aram. You will defeat them and destroy them.’”
12. All the other prophets agreed with Zedekiah and said, “Your army should march now to go fight against the Arameans at Ramoth Gilead. You will win the battle. The Lord will let you defeat them.”
13. While this was happening, the officer went to find Micaiah. When he found him, the officer told him, “All the other prophets have said that the king will succeed, so you should say the same thing.”
14. But Micaiah answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can say only what the Lord says.”
15. Micaiah went and stood before King Ahab. The king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go and attack the Arameans at Ramoth Gilead or not?” Micaiah answered, “Yes, go and be successful! The Lord will let you take the city.”
16. But Ahab answered, “How many times do I have to tell you? Tell me the truth. What does the Lord say?”