Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, July 15th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

New Century Version

1 Kings 22:6

Ahab called about four hundred prophets together and asked them, "Should I go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or not?" They answered, "Go, because the Lord will hand them over to you."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Prophets;   Thompson Chain Reference - Jehoshaphat;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Armies of Israel, the;   Syria;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ben-Hadad;   Jehoshaphat;   Ramoth;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ahab;   Jehoshaphat;   Micah;   Prophecy, prophet;   Ramoth-gilead;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Jehoshaphat;   Ramoth-Gilead;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Calf Worship;   Canon of the Old Testament;   Gilead;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ahab;   Kings, 1 and 2;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ahab;   Ben-Hadad;   Jehoshaphat;   Lie, Lying;   Micah, Micaiah;   Prophecy, Prophets;   Ramoth-Gilead, Ramoth in Gilead;   War;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Prophets, False;   Ramoth Gilead ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Ramothgilead;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Judah the kingdom of;   Ramoth;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Mica'iah;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - War;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Four;   Jezebel;   Micaiah;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go against Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?”
Hebrew Names Version
Then the king of Yisra'el gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go against Ramot-Gil`ad to battle, or shall I forbear? They said, Go up; for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.
King James Version
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
English Standard Version
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?" And they said, "Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king."
New English Translation
So the king of Israel assembled about four hundred prophets and asked them, "Should I attack Ramoth Gilead or not?" They said, "Attack! The sovereign one will hand it over to the king."
Amplified Bible
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or should I not?" And they said, "Go up, for the LORD has handed it over to the king."
New American Standard Bible
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Should I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead or should I refrain?" And they said, "Go up, for the Lord will hand it over to the king."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then the King of Israel gathered the prophets vpon a foure hundreth men, and said vnto them, Shal I go against Ramoth Gilead to battel, or shal I let it alone? And they said, Go vp: for ye Lord shall deliuer it into the hands of the King.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?" And they said, "Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king."
Contemporary English Version
Ahab sent for about four hundred prophets and asked, "Should I attack the Syrians at Ramoth?" "Yes!" the prophets answered. "The Lord will help you defeat them."
Complete Jewish Bible
So the king of Isra'el assembled the prophets, about 400 men. "Should I attack Ramot-Gil‘ad?" he asked them, "Or should I hold off?" They said, "Attack! Adonai will hand it over to the king."
Darby Translation
And the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, and the Lord will give it into the king's hand.
Easy-to-Read Version
So Ahab called a meeting of the prophets. There were about 400 prophets at that time. Ahab asked the prophets, "Should I go and attack the Arameans at Ramoth Gilead or not?" The prophets answered Ahab, "Yes, because the Lord will let you defeat Ramoth Gilead."
George Lamsa Translation
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go to Ramath-gilead to battle or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the LORD will deliver the Arameans into the hand of the king.
Good News Translation
So Ahab called in the prophets, about four hundred of them, and asked them, "Should I go and attack Ramoth, or not?" "Attack it," they answered. "The Lord will give you victory."
Lexham English Bible
Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and he said to them, "Shall I go against Ramoth-Gilead for the battle, or should I refrain?" Then they said, "Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king."
Literal Translation
And the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, that the Lord may give it into the hand of the king.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then the kynge of Israel gathered the prophetes aboute a foure hundreth men, and sayde vnto them: Shal I go vnto Ramoth in Gilead to fighte, or shal I let it alone? They sayde: Go vp, ye LORDE shal delyuer it in to ye kinges hande.
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
So the king of Israel got all the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, Am I to go to Ramoth-gilead to make war or not? And they said, Go up: for the Lord will give it into the hands of the king.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And then the king of Israel gathered the prophetes together, vpon a foure hundred men, & sayde vnto them: Shall I go against Ramoth [in] Gilead to battayle, or shall I let it alone? And they sayde, Go vp: for the Lorde shall deliuer it into the handes of the king.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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.'
King James Version (1611)
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together about foure hundred men, and said vnto them, Shall I goe against Ramoth Gilead to battell, or shall I forbeare? And they said, Goe vp, for the Lord shall deliuer it into the hand of the king.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the king of Israel gathered all the prophets together, about four hundred men; and the king said to them, Shall I go up to Remmath Galaad to battle, or shall I forbear? and they said, Go up, and the Lord will surely give it into the hands of the king.
English Revised Version
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 shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
Berean Standard Bible
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, "Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?" "Go up," they replied, "and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor the kyng of Israel gaderide prophetis aboute foure hundrid men, and he seide to hem, Owe Y to go in to Ramoth of Galaad to fiyte, ethir to reste? Whiche answeriden, Stie thou, and the Lord schal yyue it in the hond of the kyng.
Young's Literal Translation
and the king of Israel gathereth the prophets, about four hundred men, and saith unto them, `Do I go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or do I forbear?' and they say, `Go up, and the Lord doth give [it] into the hand of the king.'
Update Bible Version
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to 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.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and said to 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.
World English Bible
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? They said, Go up; for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.
New King James Version
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go against Ramoth Gilead to fight, or shall I refrain?" So they said, "Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king."
New Living Translation
So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, "Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?" They all replied, "Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory."
New Life Bible
Then the king of Israel gathered together the men who spoke for God, 400 men. He said to them, "Should I go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or should I not?" And they said, "Go. For the Lord will give it to the king."
New Revised Standard
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred of them, and said to them, "Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?" They said, "Go up; for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said Jehoshaphat unto the king of Israel, - Seek, I pray thee, at once, the word of Yahweh. So the king of Israel gathered together the prophets, 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, that the Lord may deliver it into the hand of the king.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and he said to them: Shall I go to Ramoth Galaad to fight, or shall I forbear? They answered: Go up, and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.
Revised Standard Version
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I forbear?" And they said, "Go up; for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king."
THE MESSAGE
The king of Israel got the prophets together—all four hundred of them—and put the question to them: "Should I attack Ramoth Gilead? Or should I hold back?" "Go for it," they said. " God will hand it over to the king."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?" And they said, "Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king."

Contextual Overview

1 For three years there was peace between Israel and Aram. 2 During the third year Jehoshaphat king of Judah went to visit Ahab king of Israel. 3 At that time Ahab asked his officers, "Do you remember that the king of Aram took Ramoth in Gilead from us? Why have we done nothing to get it back?" 4 So Ahab asked King Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight at Ramoth in Gilead?" "I will go with you," Jehoshaphat answered. "My soldiers are yours, and my horses are yours." 5 Jehoshaphat also said to Ahab, "But first we should ask if this is the Lord 's will." 6 Ahab called about four hundred prophets together and asked them, "Should I go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or not?" They answered, "Go, because the Lord will hand them over to you." 7 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of the Lord here? Let's ask him what we should do." 8 Then King Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "There is one other prophet. We could ask the Lord through him, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything good about me, but something bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." Jehoshaphat said, "King Ahab, you shouldn't say that!" 9 So Ahab king of Israel told one of his officers to bring Micaiah to him at once. 10 Ahab king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah had on their royal robes and were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor, near the entrance to the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were standing before them, speaking their messages.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the prophets together: 1 Kings 18:19, 2 Timothy 4:3

Go up: 1 Kings 22:15, 1 Kings 22:22, 1 Kings 22:23, 2 Chronicles 18:14, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 8:10, Jeremiah 8:11, Jeremiah 14:13, Jeremiah 14:14, Jeremiah 23:14-17, Jeremiah 28:1-9, Ezekiel 13:7-16, Ezekiel 13:22, Matthew 7:15, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Revelation 19:20

the Lord: This prophecy is couched in the ambiguous terms in which the heathen oracles were delivered. It may mean, either "The Lord will deliver it (Ramoth Gilead) into the king's (Ahab's) hand;" or, "The Lord will deliver (Israel) into the king's (of Syria) hand." So in the famous reply of the Delphian oracle to Pyrrhus: Aio te Aacida, Romanos vincere posse: Ibis redibis nunquam in bello peribis; "I say to thee, Pyrrhus the Romans shall overcome. Thou shalt go, thou shalt return never in war shalt thou perish."

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:5 - God Numbers 22:6 - I wot Joshua 20:8 - Ramoth Judges 1:4 - Lord Judges 18:6 - Go in peace 2 Samuel 5:19 - And the Lord 1 Kings 12:9 - General 1 Kings 16:33 - did more to provoke 1 Kings 18:22 - I only 1 Kings 22:12 - Go up 2 Kings 3:13 - the prophets 2 Kings 10:11 - his priests 2 Kings 10:19 - all the prophets 1 Chronicles 14:10 - Go up 2 Chronicles 10:9 - What advice 2 Chronicles 18:4 - Inquire Proverbs 11:9 - An hypocrite Proverbs 17:4 - General Proverbs 27:14 - He that Jeremiah 28:11 - Thus Ezekiel 13:6 - made Daniel 2:9 - for Hosea 7:3 - General Hosea 9:8 - but Micah 2:11 - I will Micah 3:2 - hate Luke 6:26 - so Luke 10:2 - are Revelation 16:14 - which

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:6
We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way. But the Lord has put on him the punishment for all the evil we have done.
Matthew 8:17
He did these things to bring about what Isaiah the prophet had said: "He took our suffering on him and carried our diseases." Isaiah 53:4
John 19:17
Carrying his own cross, Jesus went out to a place called The Place of the Skull, which in the Hebrew language is called Golgotha.
1 Peter 2:24
Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And you are healed because of his wounds.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men,.... False prophets, as the Targum and Arabic version; and they are called Ahab's prophets, and not the Lord's, 1 Kings 22:23 perhaps these were the prophets of the groves, that ate at Jezebel's table, and were preserved when the prophets of Baal were destroyed, since the number agrees with them, see 1 Kings 18:19

and said unto them, shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? which would you advise to? signifying he should take their advice:

and they said, go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king: which words are very ambiguous, like the oracles of the Heathens; for they do not express who or what should be delivered up, for the word it is a supplement, nor to what king the delivery should be made; whether the Syrians, and the place they held should be given up to king Ahab, which they would have understood; or whether the Israelites should be delivered up to king Benhadad; so that, whichever had been the case, the credit of their prophecy would be secured. They used the word "Lord", and not Baal, in complaisance to Jehoshaphat, and perhaps as directed by Ahab.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The prophets - i. e., In all probability the prophets attached to the worship of the calves; not real prophets of Yahweh. This seems evident both from Jehoshaphat’s dissatisfaction 1 Kings 22:7, and from the strong antagonism apparent between the true Yahweh-prophet Micaiah, and these self-styled “prophets of the Lord” 1 Kings 22:22-25.

The Lord shall deliver it - In the Hebrew the word here used for “Lord” is אדני 'ǎdonāy. Later (i. e., in 1 Kings 22:11-12) Lord or יהוה yehovâh is used. It would seem as if the idolatrous prophets shrank from employing the latter title until they found that Jehoshaphat insisted on learning the will of Yahweh in the matter.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Kings 22:6. About four hundred men — These were probably the prophets of Asherah or Venus, maintained by Jezebel, who were not present at the contention on Mount Carmel. See 1 Kings 18:19, &c.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile