The big picture
1 Kings 22 opens in verse 1 with “And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 27 with “And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of…”, and closes in verse 53 with “For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel…” Repeated or prominent terms include king, Israel, LORD, Jehoshaphat, Micaiah. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Kings · King James Version · 531 Kings 22:1-8
1–8: They continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.
1 Kings 22:1–8 opens with “And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.” and reaches “And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Micaiah standing alone before the kings and Ahab entering battle in disguise before his death, with particular weight carried by king, Israel, Jehoshaphat.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 4 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.” Naming Enquire and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Kings 22:1-8
King James Version1And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.
2And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.
3And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?
4And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
5And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
6Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
7And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?
8And 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 22:9-16
9–16: The king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah…
1 Kings 22:9–16 opens with “Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.” and reaches “And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Micaiah standing alone before the kings and Ahab entering battle in disguise before his death, with particular weight carried by king, LORD, Micaiah.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.” Naming Hasten and Imlah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD , With these shalt thou…” Naming Chenaanah and Syrians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
1 Kings 22:9-16
King James Version9Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.
10And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
11And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD , With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.
12And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king’s hand.
13And 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.
14And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.
15So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramoth-gilead 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.
16And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD ?
1 Kings 22:17-24
17–24: He said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have…
1 Kings 22:17–24 opens with “And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and…” and reaches “But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Micaiah standing alone before the kings and Ahab entering battle in disguise before his death, with particular weight carried by LORD, spirit, persuade.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 4 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD : I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of…” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD , and said, I will persuade him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, persuade, spirit. Its relationship to verses 20 and 22 shows what work it does in this passage.
1 Kings 22:17-24
King James Version17And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
18And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?
19And he said, Hear thou therefore 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 hand and on his left.
20And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
21And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD , and said, I will persuade him.
22And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
23Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
24But 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?
1 Kings 22:25-32
25–32: Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go…
1 Kings 22:25–32 opens with “And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber…” and reaches “And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Micaiah standing alone before the kings and Ahab entering battle in disguise before his death, with particular weight carried by king, Israel, Jehoshaphat.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.” Naming Micaiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of…” Naming Put keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
1 Kings 22:25-32
King James Version25And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
26And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;
27And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
28And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.
29So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.
30And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.
31But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.
32And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.
1 Kings 22:33-40
33–40: It came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was…
1 Kings 22:33–40 opens with “And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of…” and reaches “So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Micaiah standing alone before the kings and Ahab entering battle in disguise before his death, with particular weight carried by king, chariot, Israel.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.
“And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even…” Naming Syrians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
1 Kings 22:33-40
King James Version33And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.
34And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
35And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
36And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.
37So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.
38And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.
39Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
40So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
1 Kings 22:41-48
41–48: Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year…
1 Kings 22:41–48 opens with “And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of…” and reaches “Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Micaiah standing alone before the kings and Ahab entering battle in disguise before his death, with particular weight carried by Jehoshaphat, king, began.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.” Naming Ahab and Asa keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes…” Naming Asa keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Kings 22:41-48
King James Version41And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.
42Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
43And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD : nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.
44And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.
45Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
46And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.
47There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.
48Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber.
1 Kings 22:49-53
49–53: Said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with…
1 Kings 22:49–53 opens with “Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the…” and reaches “For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Micaiah standing alone before the kings and Ahab entering battle in disguise before his death, with particular weight carried by Israel, Jehoshaphat, father.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat…” Naming Jehoshaphat and Ahab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Kings 22:49-53
King James Version49Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.
50And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
51Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.
52And he did evil in the sight of the LORD , and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:
53For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Kings 22:1 begins with “And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Kings 22:27 forms a natural hinge: “And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.”
The final note
1 Kings 22:53 leaves the reader with “For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words king, Israel, LORD, Jehoshaphat, Micaiah, gilead help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What does the reader know that Isaac is not told?
The opening identifies a test. That framing matters for the entire account.
What is actually offered?
A ram provided in place of Isaac. Preserve the difference between the threatened act and the outcome.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.