1 Kings 22:15-23

Micaiah's Prophecy.

It is evident from the text and from 1 Kings 22:8 that this was not the first time Ahab and Micaiah had met. The Jews suppose, apparently with reason, that Micaiah was that prophet who, when Ahab sent Ben-hadad away with a covenant, said to the king of Israel, "Thus saith the Lord: Because thou hast let go out of thine hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people" (see 1 Kings 20:35-43 ). In considering the prophecy of Micaiah now before us, we notice—

I. THAT IT IS PREFACED WITH A SALLY OF IRONY .

1 . He answers the king in the words of his prophets .

2 . But he repeats those words with significant expression .

3 . God uses terrible rhetoric in His wrath .

II. THAT IT COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THAT OF HIS COMPETITORS .

1 . Its burden is the reverse of equivocal .

2 . The vision shows that all worlds are under Divine control .