Biblical Relevance

Micaiah, son of Imlah—whose name means “Who is like Yahweh?”—appears in two Old Testament passages (1 Kgs 22:8–28; 2 Chr 18:4–27). Both passages are narratives describing the same encounter with Ahab, king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.

In this narrative, Ahab and Jehoshaphat are preparing to join forces and attack Ramoth-Gilead. The prophets assembled by Ahab have given the two kings encouraging prophecies. However, Jehoshaphat is intent on hearing from another prophet, presumably one who is not affiliated with the court of Ahab. Micaiah is called, and he condemns the expedition. As a result of contradicting the court prophets, Micaiah is struck and sent to prison with orders that he be fed with meager rations of bread and water until Ahab returns. The kings’ attack ends in disaster, just as Micaiah prophesied, and Ahab dies. Nothing else is written of Micaiah.