15. But Ahab said to Micaiah, “How many times do I have to tell you to speak only the truth to me in the name of the Lord?”
16. So Micaiah answered, “I saw the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord said, ‘They have no leaders. They should go home and not fight.’ ”
17. Then Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I told you! He never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad.”
18. But Micaiah said, “Hear the message from the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with his heavenly army standing on his right and on his left.
19. The Lord said, ‘Who will trick King Ahab of Israel into attacking Ramoth in Gilead where he will be killed?’“Some said one thing; some said another.
20. Then one spirit came and stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will trick him.’“The Lord asked, ‘How will you do it?’
21. “The spirit answered, ‘I will go to Ahab’s prophets and make them tell lies.’“So the Lord said, ‘You will succeed in tricking him. Go and do it.’ ”