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

2 CHRONICLES 18:17KJV
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2 Chronicles 18:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 18:17 mean?

2 Chronicles 18:17 shows the king of Israel telling Jehoshaphat that he had predicted the prophet would not say anything favorable about him, but only negative things. The king is reacting to a prophecy he did not like, feeling it confirms his belief that the prophet is always against him.

In this scene, the king of Israel (Ahab) is speaking to Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, after the prophet Micaiah has just delivered a message of doom rather than blessing. Ahab’s words reveal his frustration and sense of being targeted by the prophet, whom he believes never brings him good news. This moment highlights the tension between Ahab’s expectations and the prophet’s role to speak truthfully, regardless of whether the message is welcome.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 18:17

  • "prophesy" (נָבָא, nava’): This word means to speak or declare a message from God. Here, it emphasizes that Micaiah is not just giving his own opinion but is believed to be speaking with divine authority, which makes Ahab’s frustration more pointed.
  • "good" (טוֹב, tov) and "evil" (רַע, ra’): These words mean beneficial or favorable, and harmful or unfavorable, respectively. Ahab’s complaint is about the kind of message he receives—he wants encouragement (טוֹב, tov), but feels he only gets warnings or bad news (רַע, ra’).

Why 2 Chronicles 18:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Ahab’s main concern is not the truth of the prophecy, but whether it is personally favorable to him, which exposes his attitude toward God’s word.
  • The exchange highlights the role of a true prophet: to deliver God’s message faithfully, not just to please those in power.
  • This moment sets up the following events, showing the consequences of ignoring or resenting messages that challenge one’s desires or plans.

Where else these words appear

“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 3:1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
  • 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.