And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire 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.

1 KINGS 22:8KJV
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1 Kings 22:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 22:8 mean?

1 Kings 22:8 shows the king of Israel telling Jehoshaphat that there is still one prophet, Micaiah son of Imlah, through whom they can ask the LORD, but the king dislikes him because Micaiah never predicts good things for him, only bad. Jehoshaphat responds by urging the king not to speak that way.

In this verse, King Ahab of Israel is speaking to King Jehoshaphat of Judah as they consider whether to go to war. Ahab admits he avoids Micaiah because Micaiah’s messages from God are usually unfavorable to him. Jehoshaphat’s reply suggests he believes they should still listen to what God says, even if it is not what they want to hear.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 22:8

  • "hate" (שָׂנֵא, śānē’): This word means to strongly dislike or reject. Ahab’s use of this word shows his personal feelings against Micaiah, not just disagreement but emotional rejection.
  • "prophesy" (נָבָא, nāvā’): This word means to speak as a prophet, delivering a message from God. The verse highlights that Micaiah’s role is to speak God’s truth, not to please the king.
  • "good" (טוֹב, ṭov) and "evil" (רַע, ra‘): These words mean favorable or unfavorable outcomes. Ahab’s complaint is that Micaiah’s prophecies are always about trouble for him, not blessing.

Why 1 Kings 22:8 matters

  • This verse reveals the tension between true prophecy and personal preference, showing that God’s message is not always what people want to hear.
  • The exchange sets up the coming conflict in the story, where the difference between false and true prophecy becomes central.
  • It highlights Jehoshaphat’s respect for hearing from God, even when the message may be difficult, contrasting with Ahab’s attitude.

Where else these words appear

“Imlah” Hebrew H3229 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:9 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:8 And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.

“Micaiah” Hebrew H4321 · used in 20 verses

  • Judges 17:1 And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.
  • 1 Kings 22:24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
  • 2 Chronicles 18:13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

“Jehoshaphat” Hebrew H3092 · used in 75 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
  • 2 Kings 3:7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

“prophesy” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.