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Prophecy

Micaiah son of Imlah and Ahab’s death at Ramoth (1 Kings 22)

The death of Ahab at Ramoth-gilead, artist’s impression by Gustave Doré (1866 Bible), after 1 Kgs 22:34-37.
Artist’s impression The death of Ahab at Ramoth-gilead, artist’s impression by Gustave Doré (1866 Bible), after 1 Kgs 22:34-37. — Gustave Doré, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

○ Written after the events, according to historians; tradition dates it before

Written c. 853–852 BC according to tradition; c. 640–560 BC according to historians. Event: c. 853–852 BC.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. The prophet Micaiah son of Imlah, in the first book of Kings, around 853 BC, announces to King Ahab that he will not return in peace from the battle of Ramoth and that Israel will be scattered like sheep without a shepherd.

What happened. According to the Bible, Ahab disguises himself, but an arrow shot at random wounds him, and he dies in the evening. An Assyrian monument confirms that Ahab was still reigning in 853 BC, but his death in battle is told only by the Bible.

What is still debated. the same account contains the announcement and its fulfillment, and some scholars think it originally concerned another king of Israel.

What would be striking if the text came first

Ahab dies despite his disguise, from an arrow shot “at random”, and Micaiah had staked his credibility on the outcome. But only the Bible tells of this death, in an account that historians date to two centuries later.

Main objection (in French for now)

En 853, Kurkh montre Achab allié de Damas contre l’Assyrie ; une guerre contre Aram la même année n’est pas impossible, mais elle demande une reconstruction.

The text (World English Bible)

He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. The LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace.’”

1 Kgs 22:17

The LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ One said one thing, and another said another.

1 Kgs 22:20

Micaiah said, “If you return at all in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me.” He said, “Listen, all you people!”

1 Kgs 22:28

Sources