1 Reis 22

BLIVRE · Chapter 22/22

1Três anos passaram sem guerra entre os sírios e Israel.

2E aconteceu ao terceiro ano, que Josafá rei de Judá desceu ao rei de Israel.

3E o rei de Israel disse a seus servos: Não sabeis que Ramote de Gileade e nossa? Porém ficamos quietos, sem a tomar da mão do rei da Síria.

4E disse a Josafá: Queres vir comigo a lutar contra Ramote de Gileade? E Josafá respondeu ao rei de Israel: Como eu, assim tu; e como meu povo, assim teu povo; e como meus cavalos, teus cavalos.

5E disse logo Josafá ao rei de Israel: Eu te rogo que consultes hoje a palavra do SENHOR.

6Então o rei de Israel juntou os profetas, como quatrocentos homens, aos quais disse: Irei à guerra contra Ramote de Gileade, ou a deixarei? E eles disseram: Sobe; porque o Senhor a entregará em mão do rei.

7E disse Josafá: Há ainda aqui algum profeta do SENHOR, pelo qual consultemos?

8E o rei de Israel respondeu a Josafá: Ainda há um homem pelo qual poderíamos consultar ao SENHOR, Micaías, filho de Inlá: mas eu lhe aborreço porque nunca me profetiza bem, a não ser somente mal. E Josafá disse: Não fale o rei assim.

9Então o rei de Israel chamou a um eunuco, e disse-lhe: traze logo a Micaías filho de Inlá.

10E o rei de Israel e Josafá rei de Judá estavam sentados cada um em sua cadeira, vestidos de suas roupas reais, na praça junto à entrada da porta de Samaria; e todos os profetas profetizavam diante deles.

11E Zedequias filho de Quenaaná se havia feito uns chifres de ferro, e disse: Assim disse o SENHOR: Com estes chifrarás aos siros até acabá-los.

12E todos os profetas profetizavam da mesma maneira, dizendo: Sobe a Ramote de Gileade, e serás próspero; que o SENHOR a dará em mão do rei.

13E o mensageiro que havia ido a chamar a Micaías, falou-lhe, dizendo: Eis que as palavras dos profetas unanimemente anunciam o bem ao rei; seja agora a tua palavra conforme à palavra de algum deles, e anuncia o bem.

14E Micaías respondeu: Vive o SENHOR, que o que o SENHOR me falar, isso direi.

15Veio, pois, ao rei, e o rei lhe disse: Micaías, devemos ir lutar por Ramote de Gileade, ou a deixaremos? E ele respondeu: Sobe, que serás próspero, e o SENHOR a entregará na mão do rei.

16E o rei lhe disse: Até quantas vezes te farei jurar que não me digas a não ser a verdade no nome do SENHOR?

17Então ele disse: Eu vi a todo Israel disperso pelos montes, como ovelhas que não têm pastor: e o SENHOR disse: Estes não têm senhor: volte-se cada um a sua casa em paz.

18E o rei de Israel disse a Josafá: Não te o havia eu dito? Nenhuma coisa boa profetizará ele acerca de mim, a não ser somente mal.

19Então ele disse: Ouve, pois, a palavra do SENHOR: Eu vi o SENHOR sentado em seu trono, e todo o exército dos céus estava junto a ele, à sua direita e à sua esquerda.

20E o SENHOR disse: Quem induzirá a Acabe, para que suba e caia em Ramote de Gileade? E um dizia de uma maneira; e outro dizia de outra.

21E saiu um espírito, e pôs-se diante do SENHOR, e disse: Eu lhe induzirei. E o SENHOR lhe disse: De que maneira?

22E ele disse: Eu sairei, e serei espírito de mentira em boca de todos seus profetas. E ele disse: induzi-lo-ás, e ainda sairás com ele; sai, pois, e faze-o assim.

23E agora, eis que o SENHOR pôs espírito de mentira na boca de todos estes teus profetas, e o SENHOR decretou o mal acerca de ti.

24Chegando-se então Zedequias filho de Quenaaná, feriu a Micaías na face, dizendo: Por onde se foi de mim o espírito do SENHOR para falar a ti?

25E Micaías respondeu: Eis que tu o verás naquele dia, quando te irás metendo de câmara em câmara por esconder-te.

26Então o rei de Israel disse: Toma a Micaías, e volta-o a Amom governador da cidade, e a Joás filho do rei;

27E dirás: Assim disse o rei: Lançai a este no cárcere, e mantende-lhe com pão de angústia e com água de aflição, até que eu volte em paz.

28E disse Micaías: Se chegares a voltar em paz, o SENHOR não falou por mim. Em seguida disse: Ouvi, povos todos.

29Subiu, pois, o rei de Israel com Josafá rei de Judá a Ramote de Gileade.

30E o rei de Israel disse a Josafá: Eu me disfarçarei, e entrarei na batalha: e tu veste-te tuas vestes. E o rei de Israel se disfarçou, e entrou na batalha.

31Mas o rei da Síria havia mandado a seus trinta e dois capitães dos carros, dizendo: Não luteis vós nem com grande nem com pequeno, a não ser somente contra o rei de Israel.

32E quando os capitães dos carros viram a Josafá, disseram: Certamente este é o rei de Israel; e vieram a ele para lutar com ele; mas o rei Josafá gritou.

33Vendo, então, os capitães dos carros que não era o rei de Israel, apartaram-se dele.

34E um homem disparando seu arco ao acaso, feriu ao rei de Israel por entre as junturas da armadura; pelo que disse ele a seu condutor do carro: Toma a volta, e tira-me do campo, que estou ferido.

35Mas a batalha havia se intensificado naquele dia, e o rei esteve em seu carro diante dos sírios, e à tarde morreu: e o sangue da ferida corria pelo fundo do carro.

36E ao pôr do sol saiu um clamor pelo campo, dizendo: Cada um à sua cidade, e cada qual à sua terra!

37E morreu, pois, o rei, e foi trazido a Samaria; e sepultaram ao rei em Samaria.

38E lavaram o carro no tanque de Samaria, onde as prostitutas também se lavavam; e os cães lamberam seu sangue, conforme à palavra do SENHOR que havia falado.

39Os demais dos feitos de Acabe, e todas as coisas que ele executou, e a casa de marfim que fez, e todas as cidades que edificou, não estão escritos no livro das crônicas dos reis de Israel?

40E descansou Acabe com seus pais, e reinou em seu lugar Acazias seu filho.

41E Josafá filho de Asa começou a reinar sobre Judá no quarto ano de Acabe rei de Israel.

42E era Josafá de trinta e cinco anos quando começou a reinar, e reinou vinte e cinco anos em Jerusalém. O nome de sua mãe foi Azuba filha de Sili.

43E andou em todo o caminho de Asa seu pai, sem desviar dele, fazendo o reto nos olhos do SENHOR. Contudo isso os altos não foram tirados; que o povo sacrificava ainda, e queimava incenso nos altos.

44E Josafá fez paz com o rei de Israel.

45Os demais dos feitos de Josafá, e suas façanhas, e as guerras que fez, não está escrito no livro das crônicas dos reis de Judá?

46Removeu também da terra o resto dos sodomitas que haviam restado no tempo de seu pai Asa.

47Não havia então rei em Edom; governador havia em lugar de rei.

48Havia Josafá feito navios em Társis, os quais haviam de ir a Ofir por ouro; mas não foram, porque se romperam em Eziom-Geber.

49Então Acazias filho de Acabe disse a Josafá: Vão meus servos com os teus nos navios. Mas Josafá não quis.

50E dormiu Josafá com seus pais, e foi sepultado com seus pais na cidade de Davi seu pai; e em seu lugar reinou Jeorão seu filho.

51E Acazias filho de Acabe começou a reinar sobre Israel em Samaria, o ano dezessete de Josafá rei de Judá; e reinou dois anos sobre Israel.

52E fez o que era mau aos olhos do SENHOR, e andou no caminho de seu pai, e no caminho de sua mãe, e no caminho de Jeroboão filho de Nebate, que fez pecar a Israel:

53Porque serviu a Baal, e o adorou, e provocou à ira o SENHOR Deus de Israel, conforme todas as coisas que seu pai havia feito.

📖 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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