Worksheet on 1 Kings 22:13-28

This passage describes the prophecy of Micaiah, son of Imlah, to Ahab (King of Israel) and Jehoshaphat (King of Judah). It is very important for understanding the social setting of the prophets (both Micaiah and the other prophets) and for the topic of whether one can trust a word from the LORD. The questions below are designed to help you start to investigate these two topics.

 

Historical background:

  • Who was Ahab? Who was Jehoshaphat? When did they rule?
  • Where were the nations of Aram, Israel, and Judah?
  • Where is Ramoth-gilead?
  • Why were Ahab and Jehosphaphat fighting together?

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    Limits of the Passage:

  • Do you agree with the limits of the passage (vv. 13-28)?
  • What happens in 22:1-12? How are these verses related to 22:13-28?
  • What happens in 22:29-40? How are these verses related to 22:13-28?
  • How does this passage function in the book of 1 Kings, specifically in the narrative that describes Ahab's reign? Why do you think this story is told towards the end of the narratives about Ahab's reign?

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    Social Setting of the prophecies:

  • What can you tell about the social setting of the other prophets of Yahweh (the LORD)? Can you tell if they normally advised the king? Was this a special situation?
  • Why did the kings (Ahab and Jehoshaphat) ask these prophets for their advice? How are these prophecies similar to prophecies that you read about from Mari (see the assignment Prophecy, 7-22)?
  • What can you tell about the social setting of the prophet Micaiah, son of Imlah? Did he normally advise King Ahab?
  • Was the prophecy that was given a "word" or a "vision" or both? How do you know?
  • What king of scene does Micaiah's vision describe? What presentation of God is found in this vision?

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    Question of the Reliability of the Prophetic Word:

  • Why do you think that Jehoshaphat requested that they seek another prophet after 400 gave a positive "word"? How is this similar to the story that we read about Gideon?
  • The test for a true prophet or a false prophet is whether their prediction comes true or not. Can you really blame the 400 prophets if God deceived them? The punishment for being a false prophet was death. Should they have been killed for giving a false prophecy?
  • Why did Micaiah first give a positive word and then change his tune?
  • Can God be trusted to give a true word to the prophet? Why were 400 prophets deceived? Why was Micaiah the only one to get the true vision?

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    Applications for today:

  • Do we have to worry about God deceiving people today? Why or why not?
  • How does one know whether to trust or believe a pastor or a prophet today?
  • What does this story say about God's sovereignty?
  • Does the story apply to today or is it merely an ancient myth? If you feel that the story does apply to today's world, how do we appropriate this story?

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