I Kings 22:8

Micaiah the son of Imlah - The Jews suppose that it was this prophet who reproved Ahab for dismissing Ben-hadad, Kg1 20:35, etc. And that it was because of the judgments with which he had threatened him, that Ahab hated him: I hate him, for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.

AHAB SLAIN AT RAMOTH-GILEAD. (1Ki. 22:1-36) continued three years without war between Syria and Israel--The disastrous defeat of Ben-hadad had so destroyed his army and exhausted the resources of his country, that, however eager, he was unable to recommence active hostilities against Israel. But that his hereditary enmity remained unsubdued, was manifest by his breach of faith concerning the treaty by which he had engaged to restore all the cities which his father had seized (Kg1 20:34).

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron,.... Horns are emblems of power and might, and iron ones of greater strength still; the prophets sometimes made use of visible signs, to represent the things they prophesied of should come to pass, see Isa 20:2, and the same method this prophet took: and he saith, thus saith the Lord; imitating the true prophets: with these shall thou push the Syrians until thou hast consumed them: Abarbinel thinks he had in view the blessing of Joseph by Moses, Deu 33:17 where he is compared to a bullock with horns; and these said to be the ten thousands of Ephraim, and the thousands of Manasseh; and Ahab being of the tribe of Joseph, and ruling in Ephraim and Manasseh, the prophet chose to make use of this emblem for his encouragement.

This chapter finishes the history of Ahab's reign. It was promised in the close of the foregoing chapter that the ruin of his house should not come in his days, but his days were soon at an end. His war with the Syrians at Ramoth-Gilead is that which we have an account of in this chapter. I. His preparations for that war. He consulted, 1. His privy-council (Kg1 22:1-3). 2. Jehoshaphat (Kg1 22:4). 3. His prophets. (1.) His own, who encouraged him to go on this expedition (Kg1 22:5, Kg1 22:6), Zedekiah particularly (Kg1 22:11, Kg1 22:12). (2.) A prophet of the Lord, Micaiah, who was desired to come by Jehoshaphat (Kg1 22:7, Kg1 22:8), sent for (Kg1 22:9, Kg1 22:10-13, Kg1 22:14), upbraided Ahab with his confidence in the false prophets (Kg1 22:15), but foretold his fall in this expedition (Kg1 22:16-18), and gave him an account how he came to be thus imposed upon by his prophets (Kg1 22:19-23). He is abused by Zedekiah (Kg1 22:24, Kg1 22:25), and imprisoned by Ahab (Kg1 22:26-28). II. The battle itself, in which, 1. Jehoshaphat is exposed. But, 2. Ahab is slain (Kg1 22:29-40). In the close of the chapter we have a short account, (1.) Of the good reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah (Kg1 22:41-50). (2.) Of the wicked reign of Ahaziah king of Israel (Kg1 22:51-53).