2 Chronicles 18

1 Now Yehoshafat had riches and honor in abundance, and joined affinity with Achav.

2 And after certain years he went down to Achav to Samaria (Shomeron). And Achav killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramot-Gilad.

3 And Achav king of Yisrael said unto Yehoshafat king of Judah (Yehudah), “Wilt you go with me to Ramot-Gilad?” And he answered him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; and we will be with you in the war.”

4 And Yehoshafat said unto the king of Yisrael, “Enquire, please, at the word of יהוה today.

5 Therefore the king of Yisrael gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, “Shall we go to Ramot-Gilad to battle, or shall I forbear?” And they said, “Go up, for God (Elohim) will deliver it into the king’s hand.”

6 But Yehoshafat said, “Is there not here a prophet of יהוה besides, that we might enquire of Him?”

7 And the king of Yisrael said unto Yehoshafat, “There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of יהוה; but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always bad; the same is Mikhayahu the son of Imla. And Yehoshafat said, “Let not the king say so.”

8 And the king of Yisrael called for one of his officers, and said, “Fetch quickly Mikhayahu the son of Imla.”

9 And the king of Yisrael and Yehoshafat king of Judah (Yehudah) sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria (Shomeron); and all the prophets prophesied before them.

10 And Zedekiah (Tsidkiyahu) the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, “Thus saith יהוה: ‘With these you shalt push Syria (Aram) until they be consumed.’”

11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, “Go up to Ramot-Gilad, and prosper; for יהוה shall deliver it into the hand of the king.”

12 And the messenger that went to call Mikhayahu spake to him, saying, “Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; please let your word therefore be like one of theirs, and speak you good.”

13 And Mikhayahu said, “As יהוה liveth, even what my God (Elohim) saith, that will I speak.”

14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, “Mikhayahu, shall we go to Ramot-Gilad to battle, or shall I forbear?” And he said, “Go you up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.”

15 And the king said to him, “How many times shall I adjure you that you say nothing but the truth to me in the name of יהוה?”

16 Then he said, “I did see all Yisrael scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; and יהוה said, ‘These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.’”

17 And the king of Yisrael said to Yehoshafat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good unto me, but bad?”

18 Again he said, “Therefore hear the word of יהוה: I saw יהוה sitting upon His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and on His left.

19 And יהוה said, ‘Who shall entice Achav king of Yisrael, that he may go up and fall at Ramot-Gilad?’ And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before יהוה, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ And יהוה said unto him, ‘Wherewith?’

21 And he said, ‘I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And יהוה said, ‘You shalt entice him, and you shalt also prevail; go out, and do even so.’

22 Now therefore, behold, יהוה hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets, and יהוה hath proclaimed disaster over you.”

23 Then Zedekiah (Tsidkiyahu) the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Mikhayahu upon the cheek, and said, “Which way went the Spirit of יהוה from me to speak unto you?”

24 And Mikhayahu said, “Behold, you shalt see on that day when you shalt go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.”

25 Then the king of Yisrael said, “Take you Mikhayahu, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Yoash the king’s son;

26 And say, ‘Thus saith the king: “Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.”’”

27 And Mikhayahu said, “If you certainly return in peace, then hath not יהוה spoken by me.” And he said, “Hearken, all you people!”

28 So the king of Yisrael and Yehoshafat the king of Judah (Yehudah) went up to Ramot-Gilad.

29 And the king of Yisrael said unto Yehoshafat, “I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put you on your robes.” So the king of Yisrael disguised himself; and they went to the battle.

30 Now the king of Syria (Aram) had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, “Fight you not with small or great, except only with the king of Yisrael.”

31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Yehoshafat, that they said, “It is the king of Yisrael.” Therefore they compassed about him to fight; but Yehoshafat cried out, and יהוה helped him; and God (Elohim) moved them to depart from him.

32 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Yisrael, they turned back from pursuing him.

33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Yisrael between the joints of the harness; therefore he said to his chariot man, “Turn your hand, that you mayest carry me out of the camp, for I am wounded.”

34 And the battle increased that day, howbeit the king of Yisrael stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians (Arammim) until the even; and about the time of the sun going down he died.