Chapter 22: The war between Aram and Israel and the legacy of Achav and Yehoshafat
1. The state of affairs between Aram and Israel:
- For three years [after Ben Hadad was sent off[1]] there were no wars between Aram and Israel.
- The Kings of Judah and Israel decide to join forces to fight Aram: During the third year, Yehoshafat, the king of Yehuda came to Achav, the king of Israel. The king of Israel then said to his servants: “Do you know that Ramot Gilad is ours, and we are being lazy against taking it back from the king of Aram!” Achav then asked Yehoshafat if he will you go with him in battle to retake Ramot Gilad. Yehoshafat replied to Achav, “I am as you are, my people are like your people, and my horses are like your horses.”
- They consult with the prophets as to whether they should go to war against Aram:
- 400 prophets are consulted and affirm that they should go to war: Yehoshafat asked Achav, the king of Israel, to inquire from the prophets of G-d as to whether they should go to war. So, Achav gathered about four hundred prophets, and asked them for a prophetic answer as to whether he should go to battle over Ramot Gilad, or whether he should abstain? The prophets answered him that he should go being that G-d will help him be victorious, as Hashem will deliver the enemy into the hands of the king.
- Michiyahu the prophet is summoned to be consulted with: [Yehoshafat was not satisfied with the above answer of the 400 prophets being that there is a tradition that by true prophecies, two prophets do not prophesize in the same wording and therefore[2],] Yehoshafat inquired if there is any other prophet of Hashem from whom they may receive a prophetic answer from. Achav replied to Yehoshafat that indeed there remains one more prophet of G-d from whom we can inquire, although, “I hate him being that in the past he has not prophesized good things about me, and has only told me bad [as in the past he had prophesized to Achav that he would be killed and his people decimated[3]].” This prophet is Michiyahu the son of Yimla. Yehoshafat replied to Achav saying that the king should not speak in this manner [as it is important that the truth be heard and that an accurate prophecy be said]. The king of Israel [accepted the argument of Yehoshafat and] summoned one of his ministers to immediately bring Michiyahu the son of Yimla before their presence.
- The prophecy of Tzidkiyahu and the other prophets who foretold victory: At that time, Achav, the king of Israel, and Yehoshafat, the king of Yehuda, were seated on their respective thrones, and were dressed in their kingly attire in a threshing-floor at the entrance of the gate of Shomron, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. Tzidkiyahu, the son of Kenaanah, [who was a prophet of the Baal[4]] made for himself iron horns, and said, “So says Hashem: With these horns you shall gore Aram until you eradicate them.” All the other prophets were also prophesying saying that they should go up in battle against Ramot Gilad and be victorious, as Hashem will deliver them into the king’s hand.
[1] Rashi 22:1
[2] Rashi 22:7; Sanhedrin 89a
[3] See end of chapter 20; Sanhedrin 89b; Metzudos Dovid 20:35; Ralbag 22:8
[4] Metzudos Dovid 22:11
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