Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Kings 22:1-14

"And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth-gilead is ours, and we are still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria? And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah. Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king. But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we may inquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, there is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, Micaiah the son of Imlah: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah. Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper; for Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king. And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets [declare] good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good. And Micaiah said, As Jehovah liveth, what Jehovah saith unto me, that will I speak." — 1 Kings 22:1-14 (ASV)

The same easygoing nature, which leads some godly persons into friendship with the declared enemies of religion, makes it very dangerous for them. They will be drawn to overlook and condone conduct and conversation that they ought to protest against with abhorrence. Wherever a good man goes, he should take his religion with him and not be ashamed to acknowledge it when he is with those who have no regard for it.

Jehoshaphat had not left his affection and reverence for the word of the Lord behind him in Jerusalem, but declared it and sought to bring it into Ahab's court. And Ahab's prophets, to please Jehoshaphat, used the name of Jehovah: to please Ahab, they said, Go up. But the false prophets cannot mimic the true ones so effectively that he who has exercised spiritual senses cannot discern the fallacy.

One faithful prophet of the Lord was worth them all. Worldly men have in all ages been similarly absurd in their views of religion. They would have the preacher adapt his doctrine to the fashion of the times and the taste of the hearers, and yet to add, Thus says the Lord, to words that people would put into their mouths. They are ready to denounce a man as rude and foolish who hesitates in this way to try to secure his own interests and to deceive others.