1 Kings 22:26

1Ki 22:26 And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;

Ver. 26. And the king of Israel said.] In the heating of the king of Judah, who sat mute, and, loath to displease Ahab, had not a word to say for the good prophet. Ill company deadens one, casts a damp at least; "for the abundance of iniquity, the love of many shall wax cold."

Take Micaiah, and carry him back.] To prison, whence he was fetched likely; and whereof he might say, as that martyr did to the bishop who reviled and threatened him, Send me back to my frogs and toads, where I may be free to pray for your lordship.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ki 22:26-27. Take Micaiah, and carry him back — Namely, into prison, where, it seems, he was before shut up; for so the Lord’s prophets were treated by Ahab. Feed him with bread of affliction, &c. — With very coarse and spare diet, whereby he may be only supported to endure his torment. Until I come in peace — Until I return in triumph, which I doubt not I shall, in spite of all his malicious suggestions to the contrary; and then I shall call him to an account for all his lies and impudence. Hard usage for one that would have prevented his ruin! We see here how confident Ahab was of success! He questions not but he should return in peace, forgetting what he himself had said to Ben-hadad, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast: but there was little likelihood of his returning in peace when he left one of God’s prophets behind him in prison.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Take Micaiah, . . . Put this fellow in prison--Ahab, under the impulse of vehement resentment, remands the prophet until his return.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(26) Joash the king’s son, of whom we know nothing hereafter, is apparently entrusted (like the seventy sons of 2Ki_10:1) to the charge of the governor of the city, perhaps in theory left in command of Samaria with him.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

26. carry him back unto Amon] As Ahab knew so well how to find Micaiah when he was wanted, it may be that he was already under the charge of Amon, in a sort of libera custodia. But the command in the next verse to put him into prison seems conclusive that he had not been a prisoner before.

Joash the king’s son] We have nothing to guide us in deciding how this man was related to Ahab, or whether he was so at all. His occupation, in conjunction with Amon the governor of the city, as superintendent of the prison-house renders it improbable that he was very closely connected with the reigning family. On the other hand we can hardly think that Joash would have this title if he were of one of the families which had preceded Omri on the throne of Israel. Each new dynasty would probably clear out of the way any who might be likely to lay claim to the throne.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle,.... Change his clothes, his royal robes, and put on others, perhaps the habit of a common soldier; having, it may be, been informed by some deserters or spies, of the design of Benhadad against him. Abarbinel thinks the meaning is, that he would clothe himself with a coat of mail, and take to him the each of the instruments of war, and so go into the battle secure; this seems probable from Kg1 22:34 and this he might do to elude the prophecy of Micaiah:

but put thou on thy robes; his royal robes, or rather keep them on, that he might appear to be the chief commander of the army. There seems to be a good deal of insincerity and treachery in this conduct of Ahab's, whatever honour he might pretend to Jehoshaphat, or safety he might promise him in such a situation; his view seems to be to save himself at the hazard of the life of Jehoshaphat, especially if the Septuagint version could be established, "and put on my clothes"; which is natural enough, but would have been too barefaced:

and the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle; as if he had been a common soldier.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Carry him back - literally, “cause him to return.” Micaiah had been in custody before, and was brought by Ahab’s messenger from his prison.

The governor of the city - This is one out of several notices respecting what may be called the “constitution” of the Israelite kingdom. The king consulted on important matters a Council of elders 1Ki 20:7-8. The general administration was carried on by means of the governors of provinces 1Ki 20:14 and of cities 2Ki 10:5. The governors of cities, like the monarch, were assisted and checked by councils of elders, the wise men of the several towns 1Ki 21:8-12; 2Ki 10:5. Thus Samaria, as we see from the present passage, was under a special governor, who, among his other duties, had the control of the public prison, and directed the treatment of the prisoners.

The king’s son - The phrase seems to designate a state office, rather than relationship to the sovereign. Compare 2Ch 28:7.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Carry him back, to wit, into prison; where it seems he was before shut up; for so the Lord’s prophets were used by Ahab. And some think he was the deliverer of that unwelcome message, 1Ki 20:41,42.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

26. Carry him back — This expression, together with the following verse, clearly intimates that Micaiah had previously been incarcerated for prophesying contrary to the desires of the king.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And the king of Israel said, Take Sing. Take thou. This command was probably addressed to the eunuch mentioned in ver. 9 Micaiah and carry him back Heb. make him return. This shows clearly that he had come from prison unto Amon the governor rc chief; same word in 1Ki_4:2 1Ki_11:24 1Ki_16:9; Gen_37:36 Gen_40:9, Gen_40:22, etc. The "chief of the city" is also mentioned (2Ki_23:8; cf. Neh_11:9) of the city who would naturally have charge of the town prison. Probably the prison was in his house. (Cf. Gen_40:3; Jer_37:20) and to Joash the king"s son. Thenius supposes that this prince had been entrusted to Amon for his military education, and refers to 2Ki_10:1. But in that case he would hardly have been mentioned as associated with him in the charge of so important a prisoner. Whoever Joash was, he was a man in authority. It is curious that we find another prophet, Jeremiah, put into the prison of Malchiah, the son of the king (A.V the son of Hammelech; same expression as here), Jer_38:6 Jer_36:26. Some have seen in this designation a name of office, and Bahr thinks that "Joash was not probably a son of Ahab, but a prince of the blood." But when we remember what a number of sons Ahab had, (2Ki_10:1) no valid reason can be assigned why Joash should not have been one of them. He may have been billeted upon Amon, and yet associated with him in the government of the city.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

If you return safely

This describes something that would not happen. Yahweh had already told Micaiah that the king would not return safely. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

translationWords

king

kingdom of Israel

servant

seize

govern

prison

bread

save

Yahweh

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.