Lives of Scripture

Before King Ahab of Israel marched to battle at Ramoth-gilead, he gathered his prophets, who all promised victory. Only Micaiah son of Imlah, summoned reluctantly, told Ahab the truth: Israel would be defeated and Ahab would die (1 Kings 22:13-28). Enraged at a message he didn't want to hear, Ahab ordered him imprisoned: "Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, and say, 'Thus says the king, \"Put this man in prison and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely\"'" (1 Kings 22:26-27; 2 Chronicles 18:25-26). Amon and Joash are named as the two officials specifically entrusted with silencing God's true word by force -- reducing His prophet to prison rations rather than heeding him. Micaiah's own reply left no room for doubt about what would happen: "If you indeed return safely, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he added, "Listen, all you people" (22:28). Ahab did not return safely; he was struck by a stray arrow in the battle and died that evening, propped up in his chariot so his army wouldn't panic (22:34-37). Scripture records nothing further about Amon or what became of his prisoner, but the outcome vindicated the very word Amon had been ordered to bury.