After three years of peace with Syria, Ahab wanted to retake Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat king of Judah agreed to join him but asked first to inquire of the Lord. Ahab gathered about four hundred prophets, who all said to go up because the Lord would deliver the city into the king's hand. One prophet, Zedekiah, made iron horns as a sign.

Jehoshaphat asked if there was another prophet of the Lord. Ahab named Micaiah but said he hated him, because Micaiah never prophesied good about him. Micaiah declared that as the Lord lives, he would speak what the Lord told him. He saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep without a shepherd. He described a vision of the Lord's throne and said the prophets were deceived. Ahab ordered him imprisoned until he returned in peace. Micaiah answered that if Ahab returned in peace, the Lord had not spoken by him.

Ahab disguised himself in battle, but Jehoshaphat wore his royal robes. A man drew his bow at random and struck Ahab between the joints of his armor. Ahab died that evening, and the word of the Lord came true. Jehoshaphat reigned twenty-five years and did right like Asa. Ahab's son Ahaziah became king of Israel and served Baal.

Chapter 22 closes Ahab's story with a striking picture of the power of God's word. Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab was unwise, yet his instinct to inquire of the Lord was right. Four hundred court prophets gave a unanimous yes. Unanimity is not truth. Jehoshaphat sensed something was wrong and asked for a prophet of Yahweh.

Micaiah was pressured to agree, but he vowed to speak only what the Lord said. He first answered with mock agreement, then revealed the truth: Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd. He described a heavenly vision in which a lying spirit was permitted to deceive Ahab's prophets. The vision shows that God rules even over deception and uses it to judge those who reject the truth. Micaiah was struck by Zedekiah and imprisoned, but he called on all the people to listen.

Ahab tried to outwit prophecy by disguising himself. But a soldier drew a bow at random, and the arrow found the gap in his armor. The king died at evening, and the details came to pass according to the word Elijah had spoken. No disguise can hide anyone from God's word. The book ends with Jehoshaphat's faithful reign in Judah and Ahaziah's evil reign in Israel. In the New Testament, Paul warns that a time will come when people will gather teachers to say what their ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).