Inquiring of the Lord

Following the delivery of Elijah’s last message to Ahab, great events followed one another, bringing tremendous changes in Israel. There had been three years without war between Syria and Israel. Ahab broke this peace, and brought on another war. He determined to take from Syria certain cities which Ben-hadadAGP 100.4

had formerly taken from Israel. Feeling his need of help in this undertaking, Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to join him. But before entering upon the campaign, Jehoshaphat suggested to Ahab that he inquire “at the word of the Lord” in regard to the undertaking. In response to this, the king of Israel gathered four hundred of his prophets together, and said: “Shall I go up against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.” 1 Kings 22:6.AGP 101.1

Jehoshaphat was not satisfied with this, for he said:AGP 101.2

“Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might inquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.” Verses 7, 8.