17. So Micaiah answered, “I saw the army of Israel. They were scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord said, ‘They have no leader. They should go home and not fight.’”
18. Then Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I told you! This prophet never says anything good about me. He only says bad things about me.”
19. But Micaiah continued to speak. He said, “Hear the message from the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne. His heavenly army was standing near him on his right and on his left.
20. The Lord said, ‘Who will trick Ahab into attacking Ramoth in Gilead? Do this so he will go and be killed.’“The spirits did not agree about what they should do.
21. Then one spirit came and stood before the Lord. He said, ‘I will trick him.’
22. “The Lord asked, ‘How will you trick Ahab?’“The spirit answered, ‘I will go to Ahab’s prophets. I will make them tell lies.’“So the Lord said, ‘You will succeed in tricking him. Go and do it.’”
23. Micaiah said, “Ahab, this has now happened. The Lord has caused your prophets to lie to you. The Lord has decided that great trouble should come to you.”
24. Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up to Micaiah. And he hit Micaiah in the face. Zedekiah said, “Do you really believe the Lord’s spirit has left me and is now speaking through you?”
25. Micaiah answered, “You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inside room.”