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 18:7KJV
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2 Chronicles 18:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 18:7 mean?

2 Chronicles 18:7 shows the king of Israel telling Jehoshaphat that there is still one prophet, Micaiah son of Imla, through whom they can ask the LORD, but the king dislikes him because Micaiah never gives him favorable prophecies, only negative ones. Jehoshaphat responds by urging the king not to speak that way.

In this scene, King Ahab of Israel is speaking to King Jehoshaphat of Judah as they discuss whether to seek advice from a prophet before going to war. Ahab admits he hates Micaiah because Micaiah’s messages from God are never what Ahab wants to hear. Jehoshaphat’s reply suggests that a king should not reject a prophet simply because the message is unwelcome.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 18:7

  • "hate" (שָׂנֵא, sane): This word means to strongly dislike or be hostile toward. Ahab’s use of it shows his personal resentment against Micaiah, not just disagreement.
  • "prophesied" (נָבָא, nava): This term refers to speaking as a prophet, delivering a message believed to be from God. The verse highlights that Micaiah consistently delivers messages Ahab finds unfavorable, emphasizing the prophet’s role as a truth-teller rather than a people-pleaser.
  • "good" (טוֹב, tov) and "evil" (רַע, ra): These words mean beneficial/pleasant and harmful/bad, respectively. Ahab’s complaint is not about truth but about whether the message is positive or negative for him personally.

Why 2 Chronicles 18:7 matters

  • This verse shows the tension between true prophecy and the desire for agreeable messages, highlighting that God’s word is not always what people want to hear.
  • The exchange reveals Ahab’s attitude toward God’s messengers—he values comfort over truth, which foreshadows the outcome of ignoring genuine prophecy.
  • Jehoshaphat’s gentle correction points to the importance of respecting God’s word, even when it challenges or confronts leaders.

Where else these words appear

“Imla” Hebrew H3229 · used in 4 verses

  • 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 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 22:9 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.
  • 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 22:15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
  • 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 3:1 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.

“prophesied” 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.