Ka-thump! Ka-thump!

Micaiah's ears perked up at the sound of footsteps. A messenger rushed in to his gloomy jail cell. “Hurry up!” the messenger commanded. “The king wants to see you!”

“How many prophets has the king summoned this time?” Micaiah asked as they raced to King Ahab's court.

“Four hundred,” the messenger said, “and they're all predicting victory for the king.”

Micaiah shook his head sadly. “Then they are false prophets,” he replied.

“Can't you just predict victory like everyone else?” the messenger hissed.

King Ahab was famous for his bad temper. Prophets who displeased the king were thrown in prison or killed.

Micaiah shuddered. Oh, Lord, give me the strength to speak Your truth.

Micaiah turned to the messenger. “I will speak only as God leads me,” he said. Then he bravely stepped into the court.

King Ahab sat center stage on his throne with King Jehoshaphat seated beside him. King Ahab's 400 false prophets swarmed around the court. “Hear again what the Lord has to say!” they chanted.

“Like a mighty bull,” roared their leader, “you'll be fierce in battle!” Holding two iron horns to his head, he charged about like a bull.

King Ahab beamed with evil delight. “See? I was right!” he bragged to King Jehoshaphat. “Even 400 prophets agree! Now is the time to fight!”

But King Jehoshaphat looked doubtful. “First let's listen to Micaiah.”

“If we must,” King Ahab pouted. “But he never says anything good.”

King Ahab turned to Micaiah. “Tell us what God has to say!” he growled.

Micaiah trembled. I'm scared, Lord, the prophet prayed.

Suddenly Micaiah remembered something important. God delights in the truth. Micaiah shook off his fear. “I know what you want me to say!” he declared. He wiggled his fingers like two horns.

King Ahab was not amused. “Stop making fun of my prophets!” he thundered.

“Then listen carefully,” Micaiah replied. “I see sheep lost and alone on a field, for their shepherd has died.” Looking King Ahab right in the eye, he explained. “God says that shepherd is you.”

“Get rid of this man!” King Ahab screamed. Turning to King Jehoshaphat, he hollered, “Didn't I warn you he'd say something bad?!”

Still eager to please the king, the false prophets bullied Micaiah.

“How dare you!” some ranted.

“What makes your word better than ours!” others raged.

Someone struck Micaiah's cheek.

Micaiah stumbled, but inside he stood firm in God's strength. “I am a prophet of God,” he declared. “It is His Word, not mine, that I speak.”

As guards dragged him to jail, Micaiah had the last word. “Be careful,” he warned. “God's truth always wins.”

Sure enough, everything happened just the way Micaiah predicted, and King Ahab died in battle.

Even in jail, Micaiah felt peace. Thank you, Lord, he rejoiced, for giving me the strength to be truthful- even when I was afraid.

Truth Teller
The prophet Micaiah lived when King Ahab ruled Israel (about 874 B.C. to 853 B.C.). King Ahab was known for being evil. He worshipped idols. He destroyed God's altars. And he killed or imprisoned most of God's chosen prophets. King Ahab preferred false prophets who supported his evil ways. Micaiah refused to change his message to please the evil king, so he spent time in prison.

God loves truth tellers. Can you think of a time when telling the truth meant being in trouble? How did you feel?

Read Proverbs 12:22. Just as Micaiah's story proves, honesty is the best policy.