And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
The saying stands within the story of Ahab's intended campaign to make war against Syria. In that crisis his own prophets promised him success, while Micaiah alone declared that Israel would be left scattered and that the kings ought to go back to their homes rather than to battle. Ahab refused Micaiah's warning, went into the fight, and was killed there, so that the prophet's word was proved true in his death. The outcome exposes the peril of asking for counsel when the mind is already fixed to carry out its own purpose.
The saying stands within the story of Ahab's intended campaign to make war against Syria. In that crisis his own prophets promised him success, while Micaiah alone declared that Israel would be left scattered and that the kings ought to go back to their homes rather than to battle. Ahab refused Micaiah's warning, went into the fight, and was killed there, so that the prophet's word was proved true in his death. The outcome exposes the peril of asking for counsel when the mind is already fixed to carry out its own purpose.