1 Kings 22:18
New International Version
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”

New Living Translation
“Didn’t I tell you?” the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. “He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.”

English Standard Version
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?”

King James Bible
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

New King James Version
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

New American Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy anything good regarding me, but only bad?”

NASB 1995
Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

NASB 1977
Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not say to you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

Amplified Bible
Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

Christian Standard Bible
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster?”

American Standard Version
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?

Contemporary English Version
Ahab turned to Jehoshaphat and said, "I told you he would bring bad news!"

English Revised Version
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you he wouldn't prophesy anything good about me, only evil?"

Good News Translation
Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good for me? It's always something bad!"

International Standard Version
Then the king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he wouldn't prophesy anything good about me, but only evil?"

Majority Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?”

NET Bible
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster?"

New Heart English Bible
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

World English Bible
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king of Israel says to Jehoshaphat, “Have I not said to you, He does not prophesy of me good, but evil?”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king of Israel saith unto Jehoshaphat, 'Have I not said unto thee, He doth not prophesy of me good, but evil?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king of Israel will say to Jehoshaphat, Did I not say to thee he will not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
(Then the king of Israel said to Josaphat: Did I not tell thee, that he prophesieth no good to me, but always evil ?)

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat: “Did I not tell you that he prophesies nothing good to me, but always evil?”

New American Bible
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you, he does not prophesy good about me, but only evil?”

New Revised Standard Version
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy anything favorable about me, but only disaster?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King of Israel said to Yushaphat: did I not say to you that he does not prophesy about me good, but only evil?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat: 'Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king of Israel said to Josaphat king of Juda, Did I not say to thee that this man does not prophesy good to me, for he speaks nothing but evil?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
17So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’ ” 18Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?” 19Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 18:17
Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?”

Jeremiah 38:4
Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.”

Jeremiah 26:11
Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man is worthy of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears!”

Jeremiah 29:27
So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who poses as a prophet among you?

Amos 7:10-13
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words, / for this is what Amos has said: ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their homeland.’” / And Amaziah said to Amos, “Go away, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah; earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. ...

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

John 8:45
But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!

John 15:18-19
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Acts 13:50
The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.

Acts 17:5-7
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

Acts 22:22
The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!”

Acts 24:5
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

Romans 11:3
“Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”?


Treasury of Scripture

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell you that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

Did I not tell

1 Kings 22:8
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

Proverbs 10:24
The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

Proverbs 27:22
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

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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














The king of Israel
This phrase refers to Ahab, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab is historically known for his idolatry and opposition to the prophets of Yahweh, particularly Elijah. His reign is marked by a significant departure from the worship of the God of Israel, influenced heavily by his marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess. The historical context of Ahab's reign is crucial, as it was a time of political alliances and religious syncretism, which often led to conflict with the prophets who remained faithful to Yahweh.

said to Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah, the southern kingdom. Unlike Ahab, Jehoshaphat is generally portrayed as a godly king who sought to follow the ways of the Lord. His alliance with Ahab, through marriage and military cooperation, is a point of tension in the biblical narrative. This interaction highlights the complex political and religious dynamics between the two kingdoms, as well as Jehoshaphat's struggle to maintain his faithfulness to God while engaging in political alliances.

Did I not tell you
This phrase indicates Ahab's frustration and perhaps a sense of vindication. It reflects his expectation that the prophet Micaiah would not bring a favorable message. Ahab's words reveal his awareness of the prophet's consistent opposition to his plans, which is rooted in Ahab's own disobedience to God. This moment underscores the tension between Ahab's desires and the divine will communicated through the prophets.

that he never prophesies good for me
Ahab's complaint that Micaiah never prophesies good for him is telling of his spiritual state. It suggests a misunderstanding or rejection of the prophetic role, which is to speak God's truth, whether favorable or unfavorable. Ahab's focus on receiving a "good" prophecy reveals his desire for affirmation rather than truth. This reflects a broader biblical theme where leaders often reject true prophets in favor of those who tell them what they want to hear.

but only bad?
The word "bad" here is significant, as it reflects Ahab's perception of Micaiah's prophecies. In the Hebrew context, the word often translated as "bad" can also mean "evil" or "disaster." Ahab's interpretation of Micaiah's prophecies as "bad" highlights his resistance to divine correction and his preference for messages that align with his own plans. This resistance is a recurring theme in the Bible, where leaders and individuals are often confronted with the choice between following God's will or their own desires.

Verse 18. - And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would [Heb. say to thee, He will, etc.] prophesy no good concerning me but evil? [It is clear that Ahab had understood perfectly the purport of Micaiah's words. He now appeals to them as a proof of the latter's malice.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

said
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Jehoshaphat,
יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט (yə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3092: Jehoshaphat -- 'the LORD has judged', the name of a number of Israelites

“Did I not
הֲלוֹא֙ (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

tell
אָמַ֣רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

you
אֵלֶ֔יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

that he never
לֽוֹא־ (lō·w-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

prophesies
יִתְנַבֵּ֥א (yiṯ·nab·bê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration

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

for me,
עָלַ֛י (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

but only
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

bad?”
רָֽע׃ (rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


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OT History: 1 Kings 22:18 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 22:17
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