Jehoshaphat

1And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.

For three years there was no war between Syria and Israel.

2And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

In the third year, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, came to visit the king of Israel.

3And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

The king of Israel said to his servants, "You know the town of Ramoth in Gilead belongs to us. But we sit still. We have not taken it back from the king of Syria."

4And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

He asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go fight with me at Ramoth-gilead?" Jehoshaphat said, "I am with you. My people are your people. My horses are your horses."

5And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "Please ask the LORD first what He says."

6Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go 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.

So the king of Israel called his prophets together, about four hundred men. Prophets were people who told others what God said. He asked them, "Should I go fight at Ramoth-gilead, or should I stay home?" They said, "Go. The Lord will hand the town to the king."

7And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here too? We could ask him."

8And 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.

The king of Israel said, "There is one more man, Micaiah son of Imlah. We can ask the LORD through him. But I hate him. He never says good things about me, only bad." Jehoshaphat said, "The king should not talk like that."

9Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.

So the king of Israel called one of his officers. He said, "Bring Micaiah son of Imlah here quickly."

10And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat sat on their thrones in their royal robes. They were in an open place by the gate of the city of Samaria. All the prophets were giving their messages in front of them.

11And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.

Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made horns out of iron, like a bull's horns. He said, "The LORD says this: with these you will push the Syrians until they are all gone."

12And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king’s hand.

All the other prophets said the same thing. "Go up to Ramoth-gilead and win. The LORD will hand it to the king."

13And 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.

The messenger who went to get Micaiah spoke to him. "Listen. All the prophets are saying good things to the king. Please say what they say. Say something good."

14And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.

But Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what the LORD tells me."

15So 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.

So he came to the king. The king asked, "Micaiah, should we go fight at Ramoth-gilead, or should we stay home?" Micaiah answered, "Go and win. The LORD will hand it to the king."

16And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?

The king said to him, "How many times must I make you promise? Tell me only the truth in the name of the LORD."

17And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.

So Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel spread out on the hills. They were like sheep with no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These people have no leader. Let each man go home in peace.'"

18And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "See? I told you. He never says anything good about me, only bad."

19And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

Micaiah said, "Then listen to the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne. All the armies of heaven stood beside Him, on His right and His left.

20And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

The LORD said, 'Who will talk Ahab into going up to Ramoth-gilead, so he falls there?' One spoke up one way, and another spoke up another way.

21And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.

Then a spirit came out and stood in front of the LORD. The spirit said, 'I will talk him into it.'

22And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

The LORD asked, 'How will you do it?' The spirit said, 'I will go out and make all his prophets speak lies.' The LORD said, 'You will talk him into it. It will work. Go and do it.'

23Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

So now the LORD has put lies in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. And the LORD has said that trouble is coming to you."

24But 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?

Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah walked up and hit Micaiah on the cheek. He said, "Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go? Did He leave me to speak to you?"

25And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

Micaiah said, "You will see it on the day you run and hide in a back room."

26And 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;

The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah back to Amon, the ruler of the city. Take him to Joash, the king's son.

27And 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 come in peace.

Tell them the king says this: Put this man in prison. Give him nothing but bread and water until I come home safely."

28And 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.

Micaiah said, "If you ever come home safely, then the LORD has not spoken through me." Then he said, "Listen to this, all you people!"

29So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.

So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, went up to Ramoth-gilead.

30And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will change my clothes so no one knows me. You wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel went into the battle in a disguise.

31But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.

The king of Syria had thirty-two leaders over his chariots, which are war carts pulled by horses. He told them, "Do not fight anyone, big or small. Fight only the king of Israel."

32And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

When the chariot leaders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "That must be the king of Israel." So they turned to fight him. Then Jehoshaphat cried out.

33And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

When the chariot leaders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped chasing him.

34And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

A man shot an arrow without aiming at anyone. It hit the king of Israel in a gap in his armor. The king told his chariot driver, "Turn around. Take me out of the fight. I am hurt badly."

35And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.

The fighting grew worse all that day. The king was propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. Blood ran from his wound onto the floor of the chariot. That evening he died.

36And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

As the sun went down, a call went out through the army. "Every man go to his own city. Every man go to his own land."

37So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.

So the king died. They brought him to Samaria and buried him there.

38And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.

Someone washed the chariot at the pool of Samaria. The dogs licked up his blood. They washed his armor there too. It all happened just as the LORD had said.

39Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

The rest of Ahab's story is written down in another book. It tells all he did, the palace he made from ivory, and the cities he built. That book is the history of the kings of Israel.

40So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

So Ahab died, as his fathers had died before him. His son Ahaziah became king in his place.

41And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.

Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah. This was in the fourth year that Ahab was king of Israel.

42Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king. He ruled twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.

43And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.

He lived the way his father Asa had lived. He did not turn away from it. He did what was right to the LORD. But the high places were left standing. The people still gave offerings and burned incense there.

44And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.

Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.

45Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

The rest of Jehoshaphat's story is written down in another book. It tells how strong he was and the wars he fought. That book is the history of the kings of Judah.

46And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.

Some men sold their bodies at the places where false gods were served. A few were left from the days of his father Asa. Jehoshaphat sent them all out of the land.

47There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.

At that time the land of Edom had no king of its own. A deputy ruled it instead.

48Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.

Jehoshaphat built big trading ships to sail to Ophir for gold. But they never sailed. They were wrecked at Ezion-geber.

49Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.

Then Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Let my men sail with your men." But Jehoshaphat said no.

50And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

Then Jehoshaphat died, as his fathers had died before him. He was buried with them in the city of David. His son Jehoram became king in his place.

4And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

Mesha was the king of Moab. He raised sheep. Every year he had to give the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs. He also gave the wool from a hundred thousand rams.

5But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

But when King Ahab died, the king of Moab refused to obey Israel's king anymore.

6And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel.

So King Jehoram left Samaria right away. He gathered all the fighting men of Israel.

7And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.

He sent this message to Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah: "The king of Moab will not obey me. Will you come and fight Moab with me?" Jehoshaphat said, "Yes, I will come. My people and my horses are ready to help you."

8And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.

Jehoshaphat asked, "Which road should we take?" Jehoram answered, "We will go through the dry desert of Edom."

9So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days’ journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.

So three kings went together: the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom. They marched a long way around for seven days. Then they ran out of water. There was none for the soldiers or the animals.

10And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!

The king of Israel said, "Oh no! The LORD has brought us three kings here. Now Moab will beat us."

11But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there a prophet of the LORD here? A prophet tells people what God says. We could ask the LORD through him." One of the king of Israel's servants said, "Elisha, the son of Shaphat, is here. He was the helper of the prophet Elijah."

12And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Jehoshaphat said, "The LORD speaks through him." So the three kings went down to see Elisha.

13And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Why come to me? Go ask the prophets your father and mother trusted." The king of Israel said, "No. The LORD brought us three kings here, and Moab will beat us."

14And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.

Elisha said, "I serve the living LORD, the God of armies. I would not even look at you. But I care about Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, who is here.

15But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

"Now bring me someone who plays music." While the music played, the power of the LORD came on Elisha.

16And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.

He said, "The LORD says this: dig this whole valley full of ditches.

17For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

The LORD says you will not see any wind or rain. But this valley will fill up with water. You will drink, and so will your cattle and other animals.

18And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.

This is an easy thing for the LORD to do. He will also help you win against the people of Moab.

19And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.

You will take every strong, walled city and every important town. You will cut down every good tree. You will block up every spring of water. You will cover every good field with stones."

20And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.

The next morning, at the time when the grain gift was given to God, water came flowing from the direction of Edom. The land filled up with water.

21And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border.

The people of Moab had heard that the kings were coming to fight them. So every man who could carry a weapon was called. They stood ready at the border.

22And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:

They got up early in the morning. The sun was shining on the water. Across the way, the water looked red as blood to them.

23And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.

They said, "That is blood! The kings must have fought and killed each other. Come on, Moab, let's go take their things!"

24And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country.

But when the Moabites reached Israel's camp, the men of Israel got up and attacked them. The Moabites ran away. Israel chased them and kept fighting them inside their own land.

25And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.

They tore down the cities. Each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They blocked up all the springs and cut down all the good trees. Only the city of Kir-haraseth still had its walls standing. Men with slings surrounded it and attacked it too.

26And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.

The king of Moab saw that the fight was going badly for him. He took seven hundred men with swords to break through to the king of Edom. But they could not get through.

27Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.

Then he took his oldest son, who would have been king after him. He killed him as an offering on the city wall. There was great anger against Israel. So the armies left Moab and went home to their own land.

1And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

Jehoshaphat became king after his father Asa. He made himself strong against the land of Israel to the north.

2And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

He put soldiers in every walled city of Judah. He also put groups of soldiers in the land of Judah. He put some in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had taken.

3And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

The LORD was with Jehoshaphat. He lived the way his ancestor David lived at first. He did not go after the Baals, which were false gods.

4But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

Instead he looked to the God his father worshiped. He obeyed God's commands. He did not copy what the people of Israel were doing.

5Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

So the LORD made his kingdom strong and safe. All Judah brought him gifts. He had a great deal of money and honor.

6And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

His heart was glad to walk in the LORD's ways. He also took away the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.

7Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

In his third year as king, he sent out his officials to teach in the towns of Judah. They were Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.

8And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

He sent Levites with them, men from the family that helped with worship. They were Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah. Two priests went too, Elishama and Jehoram.

9And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

They taught all through Judah. They carried the book of the LORD's law with them. They went to every town in Judah and taught the people.

10And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

All the kingdoms around Judah became afraid of the LORD. So none of them went to war against Jehoshaphat.

11Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as payment. The Arabs brought him animals from their flocks. They brought 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.

12And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger. He built forts in Judah and towns for storing supplies.

13And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

He kept large amounts of supplies in the towns of Judah. He also had brave, skilled soldiers in Jerusalem.

14And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

Here is how many there were, listed by family. From the tribe of Judah, these men led groups of a thousand. Adnah was the chief leader, with 300,000 brave soldiers.

15And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

Next to him was the leader Jehohanan, with 280,000 men.

16And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

Next was Amasiah son of Zichri. He chose on his own to serve the LORD. He had 200,000 brave soldiers with him.

17And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

From the tribe of Benjamin came Eliada, a brave soldier. He had 200,000 men with bows and shields.

18And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.

Next to him was Jehozabad, with 180,000 men ready for battle.

19These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

These men served the king in Jerusalem. The king also had other soldiers in the walled cities all over Judah.

1Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was very rich. People gave him great honor. He joined his family to King Ahab's family by marriage.

2And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab 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 Ramothgilead.

Some years later he went to see Ahab in Samaria. Ahab killed many sheep and cattle for a big meal. It was for Jehoshaphat and all the men with him. Then Ahab urged him to go fight for the town of Ramoth-gilead.

3And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.

Ahab, king of Israel, asked Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?" Jehoshaphat answered, "I am like you, and my people are like your people. We will fight in this war with you."

4And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "Please ask the LORD first what he says."

5Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.

So the king of Israel called together four hundred prophets. Prophets were men who said they told people God's messages. He asked them, "Should we go fight at Ramoth-gilead, or should we stay home?" They said, "Go. God will hand the town to the king."

6But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not one more prophet of the LORD here? We could ask him too."

7And 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.

The king of Israel said, "There is one more man who can ask the LORD. His name is Micaiah son of Imla. But I hate him. He never tells me good news, only bad." Jehoshaphat said, "The king should not talk that way."

8And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.

So the king of Israel called one of his officers. He said, "Bring Micaiah son of Imla here quickly."

9And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah 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; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

The two kings sat on their thrones in their royal robes. They sat on an open floor near the gate of Samaria. All the prophets stood in front of them, telling their messages.

10And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.

Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made horns out of iron. He said, "The LORD says: with these horns you will push Syria until they are all gone."

11And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

All the other prophets said the same thing. "Go to Ramoth-gilead and win. The LORD will hand the town to the king."

12And 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.

The messenger who went to get Micaiah spoke to him. "Listen. Every one of the prophets is telling the king good news. Please say what they say. Say something good."

13And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

But Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD lives, I will say what my God tells me."

14And 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.

When Micaiah came, the king asked him, "Micaiah, should we go fight at Ramoth-gilead, or should we stay home?" Micaiah said, "Go and win. They will be handed over to you."

15And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

The king said to him, "How many times must I make you promise? Tell me only the truth in the name of the LORD."

16Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.

Then Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel spread out on the hills. They were like sheep with no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These people have no master. Let each man go home in peace.'"

17And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I told you so. He never tells me good news, only bad."

18Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

Micaiah kept speaking. "So hear what the LORD says. I saw the LORD sitting on his throne. All the armies of heaven stood at his right side and his left.

19And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

The LORD said, 'Who will talk Ahab king of Israel into going up to Ramoth-gilead, so he dies there?' One said one thing, and another said something else.

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

Then a spirit came and stood in front of the LORD. The spirit said, 'I will talk him into it.' The LORD asked, 'How will you do it?'

21And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.

The spirit said, 'I will go out and make all his prophets speak lies.' The LORD said, 'You will talk him into it, and it will work. Go and do it.'

22Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.

So look. The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The LORD has said that trouble is coming to you."

23Then 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?

Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah walked up and hit Micaiah on the face. He said, "Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when he left me to speak to you?"

24And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

Micaiah said, "You will find that out on the day you hide in a back room."

25Then 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;

Then the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah back to Amon, the ruler of the city. Take him also to Joash, the king's son.

26And 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.

Tell them the king says this: put this man in prison. Give him only bread and water until I come home safely."

27And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

Micaiah said, "If you ever do come home safely, the LORD did not speak through me." Then he said, "All you people, listen to this!"