Daily Tanach Monday Sefer Melachim 1 Chapter 22 Part 2: The prophecy of Michiyahu

1. The prophecy of Michiyahu:

• Michiyahu is pressured to prophesize in the affirmative regarding the war: The messenger who had gone to summon Michiyahu, spoke to him and told him that all the other prophets had unanimously affirmed that they should go to war as the king desires. “Now, please let your prophecy be likened to theirs, and speak favorably of the potential battle.” Michiyahu, however, replied that so long as Hashem lives, he will only prophesize that which Hashem told him to speak.
• Michiyahu falsely encourages the king to go to war: Michiyahu arrived to the king, and the king said to him, “Michiyahu, shall we go to Ramot Gilad to wage war or shall we refrain? Michiyahu said to him [as a personal blessing and not a prophecy^[1]], “Go up to battle and be victorious, and may Hashem deliver the enemy into the king’s hand.” However, the king did not accept this and said to Michiyahu, “How many times must I tell you that you should only tell me the truth, as was said to you by Hashem?”
• Michiyahu prophesizes the truth, that G-d does not want them to go to war: Michiyahu then said, “I saw the Jewish people scattered over the mountains like sheep who have no shepherd, and G-d then came to me and said that these have no master and that they should each return to their homes in peace.” Achav, the king of Israel, then said to Yehoshafat, “Did I not tell you that this prophet does not prophesy good tidings concerning me, and only says bad things [and hence he said his prophecy because he hates me and not because it is truly the word of G-d^[2]]?” In response to the claim of Achav, Michiyahu stated his prophecy in greater detail: “Listen to the word of Hashem. I saw G-d seated on His throne, and all the kings of the world were standing by Him on His right and left side. Hashem then asked the Kings as to who is willing to entice Achav to go to war over Ramot Gilad so that Achav can fall in battle. Each king answered in a different manner. Then the spirit [of Navos^[3]] came forward and stood before Hashem and said that he is willing to entice him and when Hashem asked him as to how he will do so he said that he will place a false divine inspiration on the mouth of all his prophets. Hashem responded to the spirit that he may go forth and entice them and he will be successful.” Michiyahu then concluded his prophecy by saying: “Now you can see that G-d has placed a spirit of falsehood in the mouth of all your prophets, and that in truth G-d has spoken that evil will come upon you [if you go to this battle].”
• A confrontation between Tzidkiyahu and Michiyahu: Tzidkiyahu, the son of Kenaanah then approached Michiyahu and struck him on the cheek, saying sarcastically, “When exactly did the spirit of G-d pass from me for Him to go speak to you?” Michiyahu, however retained his position and replied to Tzidkiyahu that [on the day of battle^[4]] he will see that the prophecy that he said is indeed correct, and as a result he [i.e. Tzidkiyahu] will run away into an inner room in hiding [after realizing that he gave a false prophecy].
• Michiyahu is imprisoned for his prophecy: In retribution for the negative prophecy given by Michiyahu, Achav, the king of Israel, instructed to have Michiyahu taken into custody by Amon, the mayor of the city, and to Yoash the king’s son. The king instructed them to have Michiyahu placed in prison, and fed a scant amount of bread and a meager amount of water until he [i.e. Achav] returns in peace [from the war]. Michiyahu then replied to Achav that if he will return in peace from the war then it is a sign that Hashem in truth did not speak to him, and that he is indeed a false prophet. Michiyahu made his prophecy known to all of the nation.

[1] Rashi and Metzudos Dovid 22:15

[2] Metzudos Dovid 22:18

[3] Rashi 22:21; Sanhedrin 89a

[4] Metzudos Dovid 22:25