1 Kings 22:13 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, "Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably."

◄ 1 Kings 22:13 ►

New International Version
The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”

King James Bible
And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.

New King James Version
Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable to the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”

NASB 1995
Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”

NASB 1977
Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets, as if from one mouth, are good towards the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.”

Amplified Bible
Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Listen carefully, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable to the king. Please let your words be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”

Christian Standard Bible
The messenger who went to call Micaiah instructed him, “Look, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable for the king. So let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The messenger who went to call Micaiah instructed him, “Look, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable for the king. So let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”

American Standard Version
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good.

Contemporary English Version
Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah whispered, "Micaiah, all the prophets have good news for Ahab. Now go and say the same thing."

English Revised Version
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The messenger who went to call Micaiah told him, "The prophets have all told the king the same good message. Make your message agree with their message. Say something good."

Good News Translation
Meanwhile, the official who had gone to get Micaiah said to him, "All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king, and you had better do the same."

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, the messenger who had gone off to summon Micaiah advised him, "Look, everything that the other prophets were saying was unanimously favorable to the king. So please, cooperate with them and speak favorably."

Majority Standard Bible
Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, ?Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.?

NET Bible
Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, "Look, the prophets are in complete agreement that the king will succeed. Your words must agree with theirs; you must predict success."

New Heart English Bible
The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "See now, the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak good."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah, spoke to him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.

World English Bible
The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “See now, the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak good.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the messenger who has gone to call Micaiah has spoken to him, saying, “Now behold, the words of the prophets, with one mouth, [are] good toward the king; please let your word be as the word of one of them—and you have spoken good.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the messenger who hath gone to call Micaiah hath spoken unto him, saying, 'Lo, I pray thee, the words of the prophets, with one mouth, are good towards the king; let it be, I pray thee, thy word as the word of one of them -- and thou hast spoken good.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the messenger who went to call Micaiah, spake to him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets of one mouth good to the king: will thy words now be according to the word of one of them, and speak thou good?

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the messenger, that went to call Micheas, spoke to him, saying: Behold the words of the prophets with one month declare good things to the king: let thy word therefore be like to theirs, and speak that which is good.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then truly, the messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah spoke to him, saying: “Behold, the words of the prophets, as if with one mouth, are predicting good to the king. Therefore, let your word be like theirs, and speak what is good.”

New American Bible
Meanwhile, the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah said to him, “Look now, the prophets are unanimously predicting good for the king. Let your word be the same as any of theirs; speak a good word.”

New Revised Standard Version
The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king; let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the messenger who went to call Micah spoke to him, saying, Behold now the words of the false prophets with one accord have predicted favorably concerning the king; let your word be like the word of one of them, and you also predict favorably.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Messenger who went to call Mika said to him: “Behold, the words of the lying Prophets are good from one mouth concerning the King. Let your word be like the message of one of them and you speak good also.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spoke unto him, saying: 'Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth, let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the messenger that went to call Michaias spoke to him, saying, Behold now, all the prophets speak with one mouth good concerning the king, let now thy words be like the words of one of them, and speak good things.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
13Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.” 14But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Chronicles 18:12
Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”

Jeremiah 23:16
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:26
How long will this continue in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the delusion of their own minds?

Ezekiel 13:2-3
“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.

Ezekiel 13:10
Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built,

Micah 3:5
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Jeremiah 6:14
They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.

Jeremiah 8:11
They dress the wound of the daughter of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.

Jeremiah 14:13-14
“Ah, Lord GOD!” I replied, “Look, the prophets are telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine, but I will give you lasting peace in this place.’” / “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 24:11
and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Treasury of Scripture

And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth: let your word, I pray you, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.

Behold now

Psalm 10:11
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

Psalm 11:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

Psalm 14:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

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1 Kings 22

1. Ahab, seduced by false prophets, by Michaiah's word, is slain at Ramoth Gilead
37. The dogs lick up his blood, and Ahaziah succeeds him
41. Jehoshaphat's good reign
45. His acts
46. Jehoram succeeds him
51. Ahaziah's evil reign

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him
This phrase introduces the messenger sent by King Ahab to summon the prophet Micaiah. In the context of ancient Israel, messengers often played crucial roles in communication between kings and prophets. Micaiah was known for his commitment to speaking God's truth, regardless of the consequences. This sets the stage for the tension between divine truth and human authority. The role of a messenger was significant, as they were expected to convey the exact words and intentions of their sender, highlighting the importance of fidelity to one's mission.

Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king
The phrase "with one accord" indicates a unanimous agreement among the prophets, who were likely court prophets serving King Ahab. This unanimity suggests a possible pressure to conform to the king's desires, reflecting a common issue in ancient Near Eastern courts where prophets might be tempted to speak what was pleasing to the king rather than the truth. The historical context reveals that Ahab often surrounded himself with prophets who would tell him what he wanted to hear, contrasting with the true prophets of God who spoke His word regardless of popularity or acceptance.

So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably
The messenger's plea to Micaiah to conform to the other prophets' favorable words underscores the cultural and political pressure to align with the king's wishes. This reflects a broader biblical theme where true prophets often stand alone against the majority, as seen with Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) and later with Jeremiah. The request for Micaiah to "speak favorably" highlights the tension between human authority and divine truth, a recurring theme in Scripture. This moment foreshadows the New Testament, where Jesus Christ, the ultimate prophet, often spoke truth in the face of opposition and pressure to conform to societal expectations.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Micaiah
A prophet of the Lord who is known for speaking the truth, regardless of the consequences. He is called to prophesy before King Ahab.

2. The Messenger
An unnamed individual sent to bring Micaiah to King Ahab. He attempts to persuade Micaiah to conform to the other prophets' favorable messages.

3. King Ahab
The king of Israel, known for his idolatry and opposition to the prophets of the Lord. He seeks counsel about going to war against Ramoth-gilead.

4. The Prophets
A group of prophets who are giving a unified, favorable message to King Ahab, likely to gain his favor or out of fear.

5. Ramoth-gilead
A strategic city in the territory of Gilead, which is the focus of the military campaign discussed in this chapter.

Teaching Points

The Pressure to Conform
The messenger's request to Micaiah highlights the pressure to conform to popular opinion, even when it contradicts God's truth. As believers, we must stand firm in God's Word, even when it is unpopular.

The Courage to Speak Truth
Micaiah's role reminds us of the importance of courageously speaking the truth, regardless of the potential backlash or personal cost.

Discernment in Prophecy
The situation underscores the need for discernment in evaluating messages and teachings, ensuring they align with Scripture.

The Consequences of False Assurance
The false prophets' favorable messages provide a false sense of security, leading to disastrous outcomes. We must seek God's true guidance rather than what simply sounds pleasing.

Faithfulness Over Favor
Micaiah's example teaches us to prioritize faithfulness to God over seeking favor with people, trusting that God's approval is of ultimate importance.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(13) Behold now.--In the whole history, as especially in the words of the officer, there is evidence of the strange confusion of idea, so common in superstition at all times, which in some sense believes in the inspiration of the prophets as coming from God, and yet fancies that they can direct it as they will, and that accordingly they can be bribed, or beguiled, or coerced, to "prophesy smooth things." The extremest form of this infatuation is exemplified in Simon Magus, who believed that the Apostles were the medium for conferring the highest spiritual gifts from God, and yet madly persuaded himself that this power could be bought for money (Acts 8:18-19). The natural result is a mingled awe and contempt, such as Balak feels for Balaam. The delusion is, of course, silenced at once by such declarations as the stern reply of Micaiah, which even Balaam could convey (Numbers 22:18). But, as all false religions and corruptions of true religion show, it is never rooted out, except by real spiritual knowledge of God and of His dealings with the soul.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 13. - And the messenger that was gone [or went] to call Micaiah, spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth [Heb. one mouth good to the king. The messenger may possibly have had instructions to seek to conciliate Micaiah. In any case he thinks it well to tell him of the unanimity of the prophets. His testimony, he suggests, will surely agree with theirs]: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good of the [Heb. speak good.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then the messenger
וְהַמַּלְאָ֞ךְ (wə·ham·mal·’āḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had gone
הָלַ֣ךְ ׀ (hā·laḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to call
לִקְרֹ֣א (liq·rō)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

Micaiah
מִיכָ֗יְהוּ (mî·ḵā·yə·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4321: Micaiah -- 'Who is like Yah?' three Israelites

instructed him,
דִּבֶּ֤ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

“Behold
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

now,
נָ֞א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

with one
אֶחָ֥ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

accord
פֶּֽה־ (peh-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

the words
דִּבְרֵ֧י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the prophets
הַנְּבִיאִ֛ים (han·nə·ḇî·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

are favorable
ט֖וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

to the king.
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

So please
נָ֣א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

let your words
דְבָרְךָ֗ (ḏə·ḇā·rə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

be
יְהִֽי־ (yə·hî-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like theirs,
כִּדְבַ֛ר (kiḏ·ḇar)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

and speak
וְדִבַּ֥רְתָּ (wə·ḏib·bar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

favorably.”
טּֽוֹב׃ (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

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OT History: 1 Kings 22:13 The messenger who went to call Micaiah (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)