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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Kings 22 NLT</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/1_kings/22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/1_kings/22-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NLT</a> > 1 Kings 22</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../1_kings/21.htm" title="1 Kings 21">◄</a> 1 Kings 22 <a href="../2_kings/1.htm" title="2 Kings 1">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New Living Translation</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/nlt/esv/1_kings/22.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="hdg">Jehoshaphat and Ahab</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Then during the third year, King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>During the visit, the king of Israel said to his officials, “Do you realize that the town of Ramoth-gilead belongs to us? And yet we’ve done nothing to recapture it from the king of Aram!”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Then he turned to Jehoshaphat and asked, “Will you join me in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead?”</p><p class="reg">Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the LORD says.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?”</p><p class="reg">They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the LORD here? We should ask him the same question.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the LORD for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.”</p><p class="reg">Jehoshaphat replied, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Quick! Bring Micaiah son of Imlah.”</p><p class="hdg">Micaiah Prophesies against Ahab</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab’s prophets were prophesying there in front of them. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, “This is what the LORD says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>All the other prophets agreed. “Yes,” they said, “go up to Ramoth-gilead and be victorious, for the LORD will give the king victory!”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, “Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what the LORD tells me to say.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we hold back?”</p><p class="reg">Micaiah replied sarcastically, “Yes, go up and be victorious, for the LORD will give the king victory!”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the LORD?”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘Their master has been killed.<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">a</span></a> Send them home in peace.’”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>“Didn’t I tell you?” the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. “He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Then Micaiah continued, “Listen to what the LORD says! I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>And the LORD said, ‘Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’</p><p class="reg">“There were many suggestions, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>and finally a spirit approached the LORD and said, ‘I can do it!’</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>“‘How will you do this?’ the LORD asked.</p><p class="reg">“And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’</p><p class="reg">“‘You will succeed,’ said the LORD. ‘Go ahead and do it.’</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>“So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the LORD has pronounced your doom.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face. “Since when did the Spirit of the LORD leave me to speak to you?” he demanded.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>And Micaiah replied, “You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>“Arrest him!” the king of Israel ordered. “Take him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Give them this order from the king: ‘Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!’”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>But Micaiah replied, “If you return safely, it will mean that the LORD has not spoken through me!” Then he added to those standing around, “Everyone mark my words!”</p><p class="hdg">The Death of Ahab</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies against Ramoth-gilead. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his thirty-two chariot commanders: “Attack only the king of Israel. Don’t bother with anyone else!” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>So when the Aramean chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. “There is the king of Israel!” they shouted. But when Jehoshaphat called out, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, and they stopped chasing him.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. “Turn the horses<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">b</span></a> and get me out of here!” Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. “I’m badly wounded!”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>The battle raged all that day, and the king remained propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran down to the floor of his chariot, and as evening arrived he died. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>Just as the sun was setting, the cry ran through his troops: “We’re done for! Run for your lives!”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>So the king died, and his body was taken to Samaria and buried there. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>Then his chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, and dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed,<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">c</span></a> just as the LORD had promised.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>The rest of the events in Ahab’s reign and everything he did, including the story of the ivory palace and the towns he built, are recorded in <span class="it">The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>So Ahab died, and his son Ahaziah became the next king.</p><p class="hdg">Jehoshaphat Rules in Judah</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>Jehoshaphat son of Asa began to rule over Judah in the fourth year of King Ahab’s reign in Israel. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-42.htm"><b>42</b></a></span>Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-43.htm"><b>43</b></a></span>Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the example of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight. <a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">d</span></a>During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-44.htm"><b>44</b></a></span>Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-45.htm"><b>45</b></a></span>The rest of the events in Jehoshaphat’s reign, the extent of his power, and the wars he waged are recorded in <span class="it">The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-46.htm"><b>46</b></a></span>He banished from the land the rest of the male and female shrine prostitutes, who still continued their practices from the days of his father, Asa.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-47.htm"><b>47</b></a></span>(There was no king in Edom at that time, only a deputy.)</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-48.htm"><b>48</b></a></span>Jehoshaphat also built a fleet of trading ships<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">e</span></a> to sail to Ophir for gold. But the ships never set sail, for they met with disaster in their home port of Ezion-geber. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-49.htm"><b>49</b></a></span>At one time Ahaziah son of Ahab had proposed to Jehoshaphat, “Let my men sail with your men in the ships.” But Jehoshaphat refused the request.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-50.htm"><b>50</b></a></span>When Jehoshaphat died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Jehoram became the next king.</p><p class="hdg">Ahaziah Rules in Israel</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-51.htm"><b>51</b></a></span>Ahaziah son of Ahab began to rule over Israel in the seventeenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria two years. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-52.htm"><b>52</b></a></span>But he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, following the example of his father and mother and the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel to sin. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_kings/22-53.htm"><b>53</b></a></span>He served Baal and worshiped him, provoking the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, just as his father had done.</p><A name="footnotes"></a><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn">a</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">22:17 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="it">These people have no master.</span><br><span class="fn">b</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">22:34 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="it">Turn your hand.</span><br><span class="fn">c</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">22:38 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="it">his blood, and the prostitutes bathed [in it];</span><span class="ft"> or </span><span class="it">his blood, and they washed his armor.</span><br><span class="fn">d</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">22:43 </span><span class="ft">Verses 22:43b-53 are numbered 22:44-54 in Hebrew text.</span><br><span class="fn">e</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">22:48 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="it">fleet of ships of Tarshish.</span><br></span></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><em>Holy Bible</em>, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. 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