1 Kings 22:6 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The prophets together, about four hundred men— It is clear enough, from the 7th and 23rd verses, that these were idolatrous and false prophets; most probably the worshippers of Baal, and the tools of Ahab and Jezebel. Some have thought, since the number so exactly hits, that these false prophets were the four hundred prophets of the groves, who were constantly fed at Jezebel's table, chap. 1 Kings 18:19. But it appears not likely that Ahab would presume to affront Jehoshaphat in so gross a manner, by bringing Jezebel's prophets (prophets probably of Astarte, and known idolaters) before him, and making them speak in the name of Jehovah the true God. Neither, on the other hand, does it appear at all probable, that they were such as had been bred up in the schools of the prophets, under Elijah, or any other true prophet of God. For, besides that one may reasonably suppose such to have been better men, Jezebel but a little before had made so great slaughter of them, that there could hardly be any such number as four hundred left, though some, indeed, might have been hid at that time, whom Elijah knew not of. It remains, therefore, that they might, very probably, be Ahab's own prophets, such as he had set up by rewards and promises, and who accordingly knew how to suit his humour, and to flatter his vanity, all agreeing to a man in the same fawning compliances, and the same treacherous counsels which pleased and tickled for the present, but proved fatal in the end.