Definition: And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same [is] Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 18:7. It's a really important and somewhat unsettling passage about a man named Micaiah. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: King Jehoshaphat is leading Israel. He’s a leader trying to help his people through a difficult time – likely during a period of war or crisis. Micaiah is the problem. Micaiah is a man who was brought along with Jehoshaphat. He's a key part of the group, and the verse says he’s unhelpful . What the Verse Says: “And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same [is] Micaiah the son of Imla.” Let’s unpack that a little bit: “And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat…” This tells us that King Jehoshaphat was speaking directly to Micaiah. “[There is] yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD:” This means that Micaiah was a person who could potentially provide insight or guidance for God. He was meant to be a channel for prayer and seeking His will. “but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil:” This is the core of the problem. The verse says the king hated Micaiah. He consistently spoke negatively – he didn't offer any positive or encouraging messages. He was speaking about bad things and causing trouble. “the same [is] Micaiah the son of Imla.” This identifies Micaiah as a specific person. Micaiah’s name suggests he was a bit… unusual, perhaps even secretive or manipulative. The Overall Meaning – A Warning This verse is a warning to Jehoshaphat. It means that Micaiah was a significant source of doubt and potentially trouble in the group. The king needs to be cautious about relying on him because his negativity could hinder their efforts to seek God's will. Why it’s important: Trustworthiness: This verse emphasizes the importance of choosing trustworthy advisors. Divine Guidance: It highlights that God wants people to seek guidance only from those who are truly faithful and obedient to Him. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, I could: Discuss the significance of Micaiah's role in Israel’s history. Explain what “prophecy” means in the context of the Bible.