Micaiah
maleDivided MonarchyMeaning: “Who is like the LORD?”
A prophet who alone foretold Ahab’s defeat and death at Ramoth-gilead, standing against four hundred court prophets — "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills."
Biography
Micaiah, son of Imlah, was a prophet of the LORD in the days of Ahab — a man Ahab hated "for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil" (1 Kings 22:8).
Standing alone
When Ahab and Jehoshaphat planned to attack Ramoth-gilead, four hundred court prophets promised victory. Micaiah alone told the truth: "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd" (1 Kings 22:17), foretelling Ahab's death. He described a vision of the LORD's heavenly court permitting a lying spirit in the mouths of the false prophets.
Vindicated
For this, Micaiah was struck and imprisoned on bread and water until the king's return — but Ahab never returned, dying in the battle exactly as Micaiah had said (1 Kings 22:24–37). He stands as a model of the lone prophet faithful to God's word against overwhelming pressure.
Life Timeline
Foretells Ahab’s defeat against 400 false prophets
On the Bible timeline
Micaiah belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
- 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
Themes & lessons from Micaiah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Micaiah appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
18 verses in 2 books1 Kings9 verses
1 Kings 22:8
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire 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.
1 Kings 22:9
Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah. officer: or, eunuch
1 Kings 22:13
And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.
1 Kings 22:14
And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.
1 Kings 22:15
So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
1 Kings 22:24
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
1 Kings 22:25
And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. into: or, from chamber to chamber: Heb. a chamber in a chamber
1 Kings 22:26
And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
1 Kings 22:28
And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.
2 Chronicles9 verses
2 Chronicles 18:7
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
2 Chronicles 18:8
And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla. officers: or, eunuchs Fetch: Heb. Hasten
2 Chronicles 18:12
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. with: Heb. with one mouth
2 Chronicles 18:13
And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.
2 Chronicles 18:14
And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
2 Chronicles 18:23
Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
2 Chronicles 18:24
And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. into: or, from chamber to chamber: Heb. a chamber in a chamber
2 Chronicles 18:25
Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
2 Chronicles 18:27
And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
Frequently asked about Micaiah
Who was Micaiah in the Bible?
A prophet who alone foretold Ahab’s defeat and death at Ramoth-gilead, standing against four hundred court prophets — "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills."
What does the name Micaiah mean?
The name Micaiah means “Who is like the LORD?”.
What did Micaiah do in the Bible?
Micaiah served as prophet.
Where does Micaiah appear in the Bible?
Micaiah is mentioned 18 times across 2 books: 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Micaiah?
The story of Micaiah touches on themes of micaiah, armies of israel, the, syria, prophets — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Micaiah's life.
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