1 Reis 22

ARC · Chapter 22/22

1E estiveram quietos tres annos, não havendo guerra entre Syria e Israel.

2Porém no terceiro anno succedeu que Josaphat, rei de Judah, desceu para o rei de Israel.

3E o rei de Israel disse aos seus servos: Não sabeis vós que Ramoth de Gilead é nossa? e nós estamos quietos, sem a tomar da mão do rei da Syria?

4Então disse a Josaphat: Irás tu comigo á peleja a Ramoth de Gilead? E disse Josaphat ao rei de Israel: Serei como tu, e o meu povo como o teu povo, e os meus cavallos como os teus cavallos.

5Disse mais Josaphat ao rei d'Israel: Consulta porém primeiro hoje a palavra do Senhor.

6Então o rei de Israel ajuntou os prophetas até quasi quatrocentos homens, e disse-lhes: Irei á peleja contra Ramoth de Gilead, ou deixarei de ir? E elles disseram: Sobe, porque o Senhor a entregará na mão do rei.

7Disse porém Josaphat: Não ha aqui ainda algum propheta do Senhor, ao qual possamos consultar?

8Então disse o rei de Israel a Josaphat: Ainda ha um homem por quem podemos consultar ao Senhor; porém eu o aborreço, porque nunca prophetiza de mim bem, mas só mal; este é Micha, filho de Imla. E disse Josaphat: Não falle o rei assim

9Então o rei de Israel chamou um eunucho, e disse: Traze-me depressa a Micha, filho de Imla.

10E o rei de Israel e Josaphat, rei de Judah, estavam assentados cada um no seu throno, vestidos de vestiduras reaes, na praça, á entrada da porta de Samaria: e todos os prophetas prophetizavam na sua presença.

11E Zedekias, filho de Chanaana, fez para si uns cornos de ferro, e disse: Assim diz o Senhor: Com estes escornearás aos syros, até de todo os consumir.

12E todos os prophetas prophetizaram assim, dizendo: Sobe a Ramoth de Gilead, e prosperarás, porque o Senhor a entregará na mão do rei.

13E o mensageiro que foi chamar a Micha fallou-lhe, dizendo: Vês aqui que as palavras dos prophetas a uma voz predizem coisas boas para o rei: seja pois a tua palavra como a palavra d'um d'elles, e falla bem.

14Porém Micha disse: Vive o Senhor, que o que o Senhor me disser isso fallarei.

15E, vindo elle ao rei, o rei lhe disse: Micha, iremos a Ramoth de Gilead á peleja, ou deixaremos de ir? E elle lhe disse: Sobe, e serás prospero; porque o Senhor a entregará na mão do rei

16E o rei lhe disse: Até quantas vezes te conjurarei, que me não falles senão a verdade em nome do Senhor?

17Então disse elle: Vi a todo o Israel disperso pelos montes, como ovelhas que não teem pastor; e disse o Senhor: Estes não teem senhor; torne cada um em paz para sua casa.

18Então o rei de Israel disse a Josaphat: Não te disse eu, que nunca prophetizará de mim bem, senão só mal?

19Então disse elle: Ouve pois a palavra do Senhor: Vi ao Senhor assentado sobre o seu throno, e todo o exercito do céu estava junto a elle, á sua mão direita e á sua esquerda.

20E disse o Senhor: Quem induzirá Achab, a que suba, e caia em Ramoth de Gilead? E um dizia d'esta maneira e outro d'outra.

21Então saiu um espirito, e se apresentou diante do Senhor, e disse: Eu induzirei. E o Senhor lhe disse: Com que?

22E disse elle: Eu sairei, e serei um espirito de mentira na bocca de todos os seus prophetas. E elle disse: Tu o induzirás, e ainda prevalecerás; sae, e faze assim.

23Agora pois, eis que o Senhor poz o espirito de mentira na bocca de todos estes teus prophetas, e o Senhor fallou mal contra ti.

24Então Zedekias, filho de Chanaana, chegou, e feriu a Micha no queixo: e disse: Por onde passou de mim o espirito do Senhor para fallar a ti?

25E disse Micha: Eis que o verás n'aquelle mesmo dia, quando entrares de camara em camara, para te esconderes.

26Então disse o rei de Israel: Tomae a Micha, e tornae a trazel-o a Amon, o chefe da cidade, e a Joás filho do rei,

27E direis: Assim diz o rei: Mettei este homem na casa do carcere, e sustentae-o com o pão de angustia, e com agua de amargura, até que eu venha em paz.

28E disse Micha: Se tu voltares em paz, o Senhor não tem fallado por mim. Disse mais: Ouvi todos os povos!

29Assim o rei de Israel e Josaphat, rei de Judah, subiram a Ramoth de Gilead.

30E disse o rei de Israel a Josaphat: Eu me disfarçarei, e entrarei na peleja; tu porém veste os teus vestidos. Disfarçou-se pois o rei de Israel, e entrou na peleja.

31E o rei da Syria deu ordem aos chefes dos carros, de que tinha trinta e dois, dizendo: Não pelejareis nem contra pequeno nem contra grande, mas só contra o rei de Israel.

32Succedeu pois que, vendo os chefes dos carros a Josaphat, disseram elles: Certamente este é o rei de Israel. E chegaram-se a elle, para pelejar com elle: porém Josaphat exclamou.

33E succedeu que, vendo os chefes dos carros que não era o rei d'Israel deixaram de seguil-o.

34Então um homem entesou o arco, na sua simplicidade, e feriu o rei d'Israel por entre as fivelas e as couraças; então elle disse ao seu carreteiro: Vira a tua mão, e tira-me do exercito, porque estou gravemente ferido.

35E a peleja foi crescendo n'aquelle dia, e o rei parou no carro defronte dos syros: porém elle morreu á tarde; e o sangue da ferida corria no fundo do carro.

36E depois do sol posto passou um pregão pelo exercito, dizendo: Cada um para a sua cidade, e cada um para a sua terra!

37E morreu o rei, e o levaram a Samaria: e sepultaram o rei em Samaria.

38E, lavando-se o carro no tanque de Samaria, os cães lamberam o seu sangue (ora as prostitutas se lavavam ali), conforme á palavra do Senhor, que tinha dito.

39Quanto ao mais dos successos d'Achab, e a tudo quanto fez, e á casa de marfim que edificou, e a todas as cidades que edificou, porventura não está escripto no livro das chronicas dos reis de Israel?

40Assim dormiu Achab com seus paes; e Achazias, seu filho, reinou em seu logar.

41E Josaphat, filho de Asa, começou a reinar sobre Judah no quarto anno d'Achab, rei d'Israel.

42E era Josaphat da edade de trinta e cinco annos quando começou a reinar; e vinte e cinco annos reinou em Jerusalem: e era o nome de sua mãe Azuba, filha de Silchi.

43E andou em todos os caminhos de seu pae Asa, não se desviou d'elles, fazendo o que era recto aos olhos do Senhor.

44Todavia os altos não se tiraram; ainda o povo sacrificava e queimava incenso nos altos.

45E Josaphat esteve em paz com o rei de Israel.

46Quanto ao mais dos successos de Josaphat, e ao poder que mostrou, e como guerreou, porventura não está escripto no livro das chronicas dos reis de Judah?

47Tambem desterrou da terra o resto dos rapazes escandalosos, que ficaram nos dias de seu pae Asa.

48Então não havia rei em Edom, porém um vice-rei.

49E fez Josaphat navios de Tarsis, para irem a Ophir por causa do oiro; porém não foram, porque os navios se quebraram em Ezion-geber.

50Então Achazias, filho de Achab, disse a Josaphat: Vão os meus servos com os teus servos nos navios. Porém Josaphat não quiz.

51E Josaphat dormiu com seus paes, e foi sepultado junto a seus paes, na cidade de David, seu pae: e Jorão, seu filho, reinou em seu logar.

52E Achazias, filho d'Achab, começou a reinar em Samaria, no anno, dezesete de Josaphat, rei de Judah: e reinou dois annos sobre Israel.

53E fez o que era mau aos olhos do Senhor; porque andou no caminho de seu pae, como tambem no caminho de sua mãe, e no caminho de Jeroboão, filho de Nebat, que fez peccar a Israel. E serviu a Baal, e se inclinou diante d'elle: e indignou ao Senhor Deus de Israel, conforme a tudo quanto fizera seu pae.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Ahab allies with Jehoshaphat of Judah to attack Ramoth-Gilead, ignoring the prophet Micaiah's warning that he would die in battle. Disguised, Ahab is killed by a random arrow, fulfilling the prophecy. The chapter also summarizes the reigns of Jehoshaphat in Judah and Ahaziah in Israel.

Explanation

The scene of Micaiah's heavenly vision, where a 'lying spirit' is sent to deceive Ahab's false prophets, is one of the theologically most complex passages in the Old Testament regarding God's sovereignty even over events involving deception — always within the context of just judgment against someone who had already repeatedly rejected the truth. Ahab's attempt to escape his fate by disguising himself shows the futility of trying to outmaneuver the word of God through human strategies. His death closes one of the most idolatrous and tragic reigns in Israel, exactly as Elijah had prophesied.

Fun facts

  • Micaiah, son of Imlah, is mentioned only in this episode, but he became a biblical symbol of prophetic integrity — speaking the truth even knowing it would mean imprisonment and a ration of 'the bread of affliction and the water of affliction,' as the king ordered.
  • Ahab's fatal wound, from an arrow shot 'at a venture' by a soldier who did not even know who his target was, is often cited as a biblical example that there is no true chance when God's word has already determined an outcome.

Verse-by-verse explanation

  1. 1 Reis 22:1Three years pass without war between Syria and Israel — a period of peace after so many earlier conflicts.
  2. 1 Reis 22:2In the third year, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah (SOUTH), goes down to visit the king of Israel (NORTH) — the two kingdoms meeting on good terms.
  3. 1 Reis 22:3The king of Israel says to his officials: Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we still have not done anything to take it back from the king of Syria?
  4. 1 Reis 22:4He invites Jehoshaphat to fight together for Ramoth-gilead, and Jehoshaphat gladly agrees: I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.
  5. 1 Reis 22:5But Jehoshaphat adds an important condition: first, let us inquire of the word of the Lord.
  6. 1 Reis 22:6These four hundred prophets seem to be a kind of official court council, paid to confirm the king’s decisions. Micaiah is the only one who speaks outside the chorus, and Ahab openly admits he hates him just for that.
  7. 1 Reis 22:7Unsatisfied with the court prophets’ answer, Jehoshaphat asks: Is there no true prophet of the Lord here we can consult?
  8. 1 Reis 22:8Ahab admits there is one, Micaiah son of Imlah, but confesses he hates him because he never prophesies anything good about him, only bad; Jehoshaphat rebukes him for talking that way.
  9. 1 Reis 22:9The king of Israel calls an officer and orders Micaiah brought quickly.
  10. 1 Reis 22:10The two kings are sitting on their thrones, dressed in royal robes, in the open square by the gate of Samaria, with all the other prophets performing before them.
  11. 1 Reis 22:11Zedekiah son of Chenaanah makes iron horns and declares: thus says the Lord, with these you will gore the Syrians until they are finished.
  12. 1 Reis 22:12All the other prophets say the same thing: go up to Ramoth-gilead and win, for the Lord will deliver the city into the king’s hand.
  13. 1 Reis 22:13The messenger sent to fetch Micaiah warns him: look, all the prophets are speaking good things to the king with one voice; say the same thing they do.
  14. 1 Reis 22:14Micaiah answers firmly: as the Lord lives, I will say exactly what the Lord tells me.
  15. 1 Reis 22:15Before the king, he repeats the other prophets’ line in an ironic tone: go up and win, the Lord will deliver the city into your hand — a mockery so obvious the king catches it instantly.
  16. 1 Reis 22:16The king demands: how many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?
  17. 1 Reis 22:17Then Micaiah tells the real vision: all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord saying, “These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace” — a vision of the king’s death and the army’s defeat.
  18. 1 Reis 22:18The king of Israel says to Jehoshaphat: did I not tell you he never prophesies anything good about me, only bad?
  19. 1 Reis 22:19This is one of the most debated passages in the Old Testament: Micaiah describes a kind of council in heaven where a spirit volunteers to deceive the court prophets. Scholars disagree considerably on how to understand this image of God allowing deception.
  20. 1 Reis 22:20The Lord asks who will persuade Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead, and different spirits suggest different ways to do it.
  21. 1 Reis 22:21A spirit comes forward before the Lord and says, “I will persuade him,” and the Lord asks, “Wherewith?”
  22. 1 Reis 22:22The spirit answers: I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets; the Lord says: you will succeed, go and do it.
  23. 1 Reis 22:23Micaiah concludes the explanation: so the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, because He has already decreed disaster over you.
  24. 1 Reis 22:24Zedekiah son of Chenaanah comes up and slaps Micaiah across the face, asking: which way did the spirit of the Lord go when it left me to speak with you?
  25. 1 Reis 22:25Micaiah answers: you will find out on the day you go hide from room to room.
  26. 1 Reis 22:26The king of Israel orders Micaiah arrested and taken back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, the king’s son.
  27. 1 Reis 22:27With the order: put this man in prison and feed him nothing but bread and water of affliction until I return in peace.
  28. 1 Reis 22:28Micaiah retorts: if you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken through me — and he adds: listen, all of you!
  29. 1 Reis 22:29So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, go up together to Ramoth-gilead.
  30. 1 Reis 22:30The king of Israel tells Jehoshaphat: I will disguise myself to go into battle, but you wear your royal robes — and he does disguise himself, in a clear attempt to dodge Micaiah’s prophecy through a trick.
  31. 1 Reis 22:31The king of Syria had already ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders not to fight anyone except the king of Israel specifically.
  32. 1 Reis 22:32Seeing Jehoshaphat, the chariot commanders think he is the king of Israel and move in to attack him, and he cries out.
  33. 1 Reis 22:33Once they realize he is not the king of Israel, they stop chasing him — Jehoshaphat narrowly escapes precisely because Ahab’s disguise pulled the target onto him.
  34. 1 Reis 22:34Ahab’s fatal wound comes from an arrow shot at random, not aimed at him specifically. The text uses this chance hit to suggest that not even in disguise did the king escape what had been announced against him.
  35. 1 Reis 22:35The battle rages all day, and the king stays propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians; he dies by evening, with blood from the wound running down into the bottom of the chariot.
  36. 1 Reis 22:36At sunset, a cry spreads through the army: every man to his own city, every man to his own land! — the war effectively over with the king’s death.
  37. 1 Reis 22:37Ahab’s blood drains into the chariot until he dies, and when they wash the chariot at a pool in Samaria, the dogs lick up the blood, fulfilling to the letter the prophecy Elijah had made about Naboth.
  38. 1 Reis 22:38This detail closes the loop opened in chapter 21. Elijah’s word against Ahab is fulfilled, even if in an almost accidental way and in a different city from Naboth’s vineyard.
  39. 1 Reis 22:39The rest of Ahab’s deeds, the ivory palace he built, and all the cities he constructed are recorded in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.
  40. 1 Reis 22:40Ahaziah inherits the throne, but also his parents’ idolatry: he will reign only two years before dying without children, and his brother Jehoram takes over after him.
  41. 1 Reis 22:41Meanwhile, Jehoshaphat son of Asa becomes king of Judah (SOUTH) in the fourth year of Ahab as king of Israel (NORTH).
  42. 1 Reis 22:42Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi.
  43. 1 Reis 22:43This is a refrain repeated for several kings of Judah considered good, like Jehoshaphat: they stopped the worst idolatry but left the local high places running. Only much later, with Hezekiah and Josiah, would those high places actually be removed.
  44. 1 Reis 22:44Even so, the high places were not removed; the people kept sacrificing and burning incense there — not even a good king like Jehoshaphat managed to fully reform this.
  45. 1 Reis 22:45Jehoshaphat lived at peace with the king of Israel — a notable change after generations of war between the two kingdoms.
  46. 1 Reis 22:46The rest of Jehoshaphat’s deeds, his power, and his wars are recorded in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah.
  47. 1 Reis 22:47He also drove out of the land the cult prostitutes who still remained even after his father Asa’s reforms.
  48. 1 Reis 22:48At that time there was no king in Edom, only a deputy governor in his place.
  49. 1 Reis 22:49Jehoshaphat orders ships of Tarshish built to go get gold from Ophir, but they never make the journey because they wreck at Ezion-geber.
  50. 1 Reis 22:50Ahaziah son of Ahab offers to send his sailors along with Jehoshaphat’s crew, but Jehoshaphat refuses — perhaps having already learned to keep his distance from the northern dynasty.
  51. 1 Reis 22:51Jehoshaphat dies and is buried with his ancestors in the City of David; his son Jehoram reigns in his place.
  52. 1 Reis 22:52Ahaziah son of Ahab begins to reign over Israel (NORTH) in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat, reigning two years.
  53. 1 Reis 22:53He does what is evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the ways of his father, his mother, and Jeroboam, who made Israel sin; he serves Baal and bows down to him, provoking the Lord just as his father had done.

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