2 Chronicles 18

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

Jehoshaphat was blessed with immense wealth and respect, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.

And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.

After a few years, he visited Ahab in Samaria. Ahab, in his generosity, slaughtered many sheep and oxen for him and his companions. Then, with persuasive words, Ahab convinced him to accompany him to Ramothgilead.

And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.

King Ahab of Israel turned to King Jehoshaphat of Judah, asking earnestly, "Will you join me in the battle at Ramothgilead?" Jehoshaphat responded with unity and solidarity, "Just as you are, so am I. My people are your people. We will stand by your side in this war."

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

Jehoshaphat pleaded with the king of Israel, "Please, seek the Lord's guidance today."

Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.

The king of Israel, anxious and uncertain, gathered his 400 prophets. He asked them, "Should we go to battle in Ramothgilead, or should we hold back?" They confidently replied, "Go, for God will ensure our victory."

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

Jehoshaphat pleaded, "Isn't there another prophet of God here? We need his guidance."

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.

The king of Israel confessed to Jehoshaphat, "There's one man left who can consult the Lord for us, but I despise him. He's Micaiah, son of Imla, and he never brings me good news, only bad." Jehoshaphat responded, "Don't say such things, my king."

And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.

The king of Israel urgently summoned one of his aides, "Bring Micaiah, Imla's son, to me at once!"

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

The Israeli king and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, both sat regally on their thrones, draped in royal robes. They were in an open space near Samaria's entrance, while prophets shared their visions before them.

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.

Zedekiah, Chenaanah's son, crafted iron horns, proclaiming, "God commands, use these to relentlessly challenge Syria until they are defeated."

And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

Every prophet echoed the same message, "March to Ramothgilead, success awaits you. The Lord promises to give it to the king."

And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.

The messenger who was sent to fetch Micaiah pleaded with him, saying, "Look, all the prophets are unanimously predicting prosperity for the king. Please, I beg you, let your prophecy align with theirs and bring good news."

And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

Micaiah passionately declared, "As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what my God tells me."

And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

When he finally met the king, the king asked him, "Micaiah, should we head to Ramothgilead for war, or should I hold back?" Micaiah confidently replied, "Go ahead, you'll succeed, and victory will be yours."

And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

The king pleaded, "How often must I beg you to only speak the truth to me, as God is your witness?"

Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.

He expressed, "I witnessed all of Israel, lost and scattered on the hills, like shepherd-less sheep. God observed their leaderless state and declared, 'They lack guidance. Let each one return home, in peace.'"

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

The Israeli king turned to Jehoshaphat, frustration clear in his voice, "Didn't I warn you? He never predicts anything good for me, only misfortune!"

Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

Once more, listen to God's message: I envisioned God, seated on His throne, with the entire celestial assembly standing respectfully on both His sides.

And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

The LORD asked, "Who will persuade King Ahab of Israel to go to Ramothgilead and meet his downfall?" Different voices offered various suggestions.

Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?

A spirit emerged, standing before God, boldly declaring, "I will tempt him." God, curious, asked, "How?"

And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.

He declared, "I'll become a deceptive voice in the mouths of his prophets." God replied, "You will successfully lure him. Go ahead, carry out your plan."

Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.

See now, God has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours, and He has pronounced disaster against you.

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

Zedekiah, Chenaanah's son, approached Micaiah and struck him on the face. He asked, filled with confusion and resentment, "How did God's spirit leave me and choose to speak through you?"

And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

Micaiah declared, "The day will come when you'll seek refuge in a hidden room, and then you'll truly understand."

Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;

The king of Israel commanded, "Escort Micaiah back to Amon, the city's governor, and to Joash, my son."

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 return in peace.

The king commands, "Lock this man away, let his meals be of hardship and his drink of suffering, until I return safely."

And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

Micaiah declared, "If you truly return safely, then the Lord hasn't spoken through me." He then urged, "Listen, everyone."

So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.

The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, journeyed together with determination and unity towards Ramothgilead.

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and I will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.

The king of Israel, with a determined voice, told Jehoshaphat, "I'll hide my identity and join the fight. You, however, wear your royal attire." So, the king of Israel concealed himself and together, they courageously marched into the battlefield.

Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.

The Syrian king ordered his chariot commanders, "Don't battle anyone, big or small, except the king of Israel."

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.

When the chariot leaders spotted Jehoshaphat, they mistook him for the king of Israel and surrounded him, ready for battle. But Jehoshaphat, in his fear, cried out for help. God heard his plea and miraculously caused his enemies to retreat.

For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.

When the chariot leaders realized they weren't chasing the King of Israel, they stopped and turned back.

And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

In a moment of chance, a man shot an arrow, striking the King of Israel in a vulnerable spot in his armor. In pain, the king pleaded with his charioteer, "Guide us away, I've been gravely injured."

And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.

The conflict escalated that day. Yet the wounded king of Israel was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until dusk. As the sun set, he breathed his last.