Zedekiah

10The 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.

And 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.

NoteSamaria was the capital city, where Israel's king lived. The open place by the city gate was where kings met people and made big choices.

11Zedekiah 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."

And 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.

NoteProphets sometimes acted out a message so people could see it. Iron horns stood for a strong bull knocking enemies down.

12All the other prophets said the same thing. "Go up to Ramoth-gilead and win. The LORD will hand it to the king."

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

24Then 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?"

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?

NoteHitting someone on the cheek was a way to shame him. It was a way of saying, "You are lying."

25Micaiah said, "You will see it on the day you run and hide in a back room."

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

NoteAn inner room was a small room deep inside a house. People hid there when enemies came.

9The 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.

And 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.

NoteA throne is the special chair a king sits on. The open floor was a wide, flat, hard place outside the gate. Farmers used it to beat the grain out of their wheat. It was the biggest open space in town, so crowds could gather there.

10Zedekiah 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."

And 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.

NoteSyria was a country just north of Israel. The two lands often fought each other. Zedekiah made iron horns like a bull's horns. A bull pushes and shoves with its horns. He held them up to show what he thought the army would do.

11All the other prophets said the same thing. "Go to Ramoth-gilead and win. The LORD will hand the town to the king."

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

22So 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."

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

23Then 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?"

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?

NoteHitting someone on the face was a way of shaming him in front of everyone. Zedekiah was very angry that Micaiah said his message was false.

24Micaiah said, "You will find that out on the day you hide in a back room."

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

NoteA back room is a small room deep inside a house, with no window to the street. It was the last place someone would look for you.