And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
Ver. 8. There is yet one man.] Even king Ahab - as bad as he was - kept count of his prophets, and could give account of one that was missing.
But I hate him.] Evildoers hate the light, because it stands in the light of their wicked ways, as the angel did in Balaam's way to his sin. But, Micaiah, could not you, to avoid Ahab's hatred, meddle only with toothless truths, as Balak bid Balaam neither curse nor bless at all? Cannot you preach placentia? Know you not that truth breeds hatred?
For he doth not prophesy good concerning me.] Yes, once he did (if at least this were the same, as Pellican holdeth that he was), when he told you once and again that the Syrians should be given into your hands. Howsoever, it is very probable that Micaiah was that disguised prophet who brought to Ahab the fearful message of displeasure and death for dismissing Benhadad, for which he was ever since fast in prison, deep in disgrace.
But evil.] Ahab was not, as Vespasian was said to be, patientissimus veri, a most willing to hear the truth.
And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.] This was a too cold reproof, which should ever be warm, but not scalding.
a Quintilian.