When The God Of The Bible Sent Lying Spirits To Tell Lies

Yes, you read that correctly. The god of the Bible sent lying spirits. The story is outlined in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18 .

The story begins when King Jehoshaphat of Judah visited King Ahab of Israel. King Ahab expressed a desire to to war against Ramoth-Gilead and claim that area for Israel. King Jehoshaphat suggested they inquire of “the Lord” to see if this is a good idea.

King Ahab then gathered 400 prophets, who all prophesy success in the future war against Ramoth-Gilead.

However, King Jehoshaphat expressed doubt about the messages of the many prophets and requested “a prophet of the Lord”. King Ahab reluctantly mentioned Micaiah, although he was not fond of that prophet because, as he states “There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil” 2 Chronicles 18:7.

Micaiah is summoned and first tells them that King Ahab would be successful in the war. Almost immediately thereafter, Micaiah tells Ahab that he will actually lose the war and die.

This prophet also reveals a bizarre scene that he claims he had witnessed from the heavenly realm.

This prophet Micaiah recounts being in some kind of heavenly realm, wherein the god of the universe is asking for help on how to entice King Ahab to go to war and be killed in that war. A discussion ensues. Then a spirit speaks up with a suggestion – to become a lying spirit, speak a lie through all of the prophets, to deceive King Ahab, assuring him that he will win the war! “The Lord” agrees to this plan.

Here is the King James version of this scene, from 2 Chronicles 18:18-22.

“Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the Lord; I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

 And the Lord said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith?

And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.

 Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil against thee.”


The story continues with King Jehoshaphat, despite what he heard from Micaiah, joining forces with King Ahab to fight. They lose the war and King Ahab is killed in the battle.

If the weird things do not jump out at you upon reading this, let me help you out.

Why did King Jehoshaphat join forces to fight this war? Did he not believe the prophesy of Micaiah?

When this god asks the question, “Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? ” is looking for help or suggestions because it sure looks that way?

If this god wanted King Ahab dead, why didn’t he just kill him like he did with thousands of others?

Does this story tell you that spirits from the heavenly realm might lie to humans?

Does it make sense that a god of truth and light would use lying spirits?

Does anything else jump out at you? Please feel free to comment.


Next time you think you’re hearing from god, remember that this god might have sent a lying spirit to speak to you.

See it for what it is, not for what you want it to be.