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JULY 11
fathers’ houses. Of Judah, the captains of thou- “Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the
sands: Adnah the captain, and with him three LORD will deliver it into the king’s hand.”
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hundred thousand mighty men of valor; and 12 Then the messenger who had gone to call
next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the
with him two hundred and eighty thousand; words of the prophets with one accord encour-
16 and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, age the king. Therefore please let your word
who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and be like the word of one of them, and speak
with him two hundred thousand mighty men of encouragement.”
valor. Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of 13 And Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what-
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valor, and with him two hundred thousand men ever my God says, that I will speak.”
armed with bow and shield; and next to him 14 Then he came to the king; and the king
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was Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war
eighty thousand prepared for war. These against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
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served the king, besides those the king put in And he said, “Go and prosper, and they shall
the fortified cities throughout all Judah. be delivered into your hand!”
Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in 15 So the king said to him, “How many times
18 abundance; and by marriage he allied shall I make you swear that you tell me noth-
himself with Ahab. After some years he went ing but the truth in the name of the LORD?”
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down to visit Ahab in Samaria; and Ahab killed 16 Then he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on
sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the the mountains, as sheep that have no shep-
people who were with him, and persuaded him herd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no mas-
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to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead. So Ahab ter. Let each return to his house in peace.’ ”
king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat,
“Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?” “Did I not tell you he would not prophesy
And he answered him, “I am as you are, and good concerning me, but evil?”
my people as your people; we will be with you 18 Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the
in the war.” word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on
4 Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, His throne, and all the host of heaven standing
“Please inquire for the word of the LORD today.” on His right hand and His left. And the LORD
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5 Then the king of Israel gathered the said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to
prophets together, four hundred men, and go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So
said to them, “Shall we go to war against one spoke in this manner, and another spoke
Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” in that manner. Then a spirit came forward
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So they said, “Go up, for God will deliver it and stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will per-
into the king’s hand.” suade him.’ The LORD said to him, ‘In what
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6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying
prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the
of Him?” LORD said, ‘You shall persuade him and also
7 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, prevail; go out and do so.’ Therefore look!
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“There is still one man by whom we may The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of
inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because these prophets of yours, and the LORD has
he never prophesies good concerning me, but declared disaster against you.”
always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.” 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went
And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and
such things!” said, “Which way did the spirit from the LORD
8 Then the king of Israel called one of his offi- go from me to speak to you?”
cers and said, “Bring Micaiah the son of Imla 24 And Micaiah said, “Indeed you shall see on
quickly!” that day when you go into an inner chamber to
9 The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of hide!”
Judah, clothed in their robes, sat each on his 25 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah,
throne; and they sat at a threshing floor at the and return him to Amon the governor of the
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entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the city and to Joash the king’s son; and say, ‘Thus
prophets prophesied before them. Now says the king: “Put this fellow in prison, and feed
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Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him with bread of affliction and water of afflic-
horns of iron for himself; and he said, “Thus tion, until I return in peace.” ’ ”
says the LORD: ‘With these you shall gore the 27 But Micaiah said, “If you ever return in
Syrians until they are destroyed.’ ” peace, the LORD has not spoken by me.” And
11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, he said, “Take heed, all you people!”

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