In the book of 1 Kings, there is a passage of scripture that is confusing and for some Christians, a bit scary, concerning this "lying spirit". To get a better understanding as to what is going on, we must read about the events that is taking place during king Ahab's rule. One event in particular, the battle of Qarqar, was significant in that it kept Ahab from occupying a region called Ramoth in Gilead, which he greatly wanted because it would strategically put him in control of the plain of Jezreel.
King Ahab reigned over Israel from 871-852 and was the son and successor of Omri. Most biblical scholars agree that Ahab was one of Israel's worst kings. Jezebel was his wife and was very influential during his reign over Israel. She was so influential that she convinced Ahab to give Baal equal worship and respect as everyone gave God. The Bible tells us that king Ahab, "did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all of the other Kings of Israel that were before him".
1 Kings 22:1-6 Jehoshaphat of Judah was now legally related to Ahab through the marriage of his son. King Ahab asks his prophets(400 of them), "shall I go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?" Now Jehoshaphat knew that these 400 men of the king's were not true prophets of God. The king of Judah believed in the Lord and therefore could recognize their lies. So, before Jehoshaphat would join forces with Ahab, he wanted to seek God's will in the matter first(very wise), and wanted a true prophet to deliver the message to them. They both agreed that Micaiah was this prophet.
1 Kings 22:8-18 King Ahab recognizes Micaiah as a true prophet of the Lord, "there is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord." It is interesting that Ahab acknowledges Micaiah as a true prophet, but doesn't take the prophets advice, saying "but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil."
1 Kings 22:19-23 Micaiah explains to king Ahab why the 400 prophets persuaded him to go to battle. Micaiah clearly tells the king that this lying spirit put lies in the mouths of his prophets, which God allowed.
Who was this "lying spirit"?
1.) When the spirit volunteers to do this deed, "all the host of heaven" are present, so is it possible that wicked spirits/demons can roam freely in and out of Heaven? Revelation 12 says that at some point, Satan and his angels will be no longer able or allowed any place in Heaven. This "lying spirit" could have been a demon used as a tool by God.
2.) Something to think about. Could the spirit have been Naboth the Jezreelite? Naboth was someone who had been framed and put to death by Ahab's queen. If his spirit was in Heaven, then he was present during this "gathering" and would have stepped out and volunteered out of vengeance. God could have allowed this to happen, to carry out His plan. The story of Naboth the Jezreelite, can be found in the Talmud, which is a central text of mainstream Judaism, consisting of Jewish law, customs, and culture.
Why God used this "lying spirit".
God had given king Ahab ample opportunities to repent and turn from his unrighteous ways. During his entire tenure as king of Israel, he failed to listen to any messenger of God. God showed him mercy countless times, giving him enough opportunities for repentance, until finally God gave him a final warning for consistently living a life of wicked rebellion. So, God allowed the lies and persuasion of a spirit to carry-out His plan. 1 Kings 22:20-22, "The Lord said, who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?........and there came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord and said, I will persuade him." The Bible describes all the hosts of Heaven standing on God's right and left of Him seated upon His throne. This was quite a gathering and the Lord's court was obviously in session. The verdict was guilty and sentenced to death at Ramoth-gilead.
Final thoughts
We have to acknowledge God's ultimate power and authority in what or whom He chooses to accomplish His holy purpose. Many church leaders say this "lying spirit" was an angel. But this may be a problem since the Bible doesn't address angels as a "spirit". Most scholars lean toward this spirit as being a demon. Regardless, everything is under His authority and control and God chooses to use both good and evil for His Divine purpose, "All inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will", Daniel 4:35
King Ahab reigned over Israel from 871-852 and was the son and successor of Omri. Most biblical scholars agree that Ahab was one of Israel's worst kings. Jezebel was his wife and was very influential during his reign over Israel. She was so influential that she convinced Ahab to give Baal equal worship and respect as everyone gave God. The Bible tells us that king Ahab, "did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all of the other Kings of Israel that were before him".
1 Kings 22:1-6 Jehoshaphat of Judah was now legally related to Ahab through the marriage of his son. King Ahab asks his prophets(400 of them), "shall I go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?" Now Jehoshaphat knew that these 400 men of the king's were not true prophets of God. The king of Judah believed in the Lord and therefore could recognize their lies. So, before Jehoshaphat would join forces with Ahab, he wanted to seek God's will in the matter first(very wise), and wanted a true prophet to deliver the message to them. They both agreed that Micaiah was this prophet.
1 Kings 22:8-18 King Ahab recognizes Micaiah as a true prophet of the Lord, "there is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord." It is interesting that Ahab acknowledges Micaiah as a true prophet, but doesn't take the prophets advice, saying "but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil."
1 Kings 22:19-23 Micaiah explains to king Ahab why the 400 prophets persuaded him to go to battle. Micaiah clearly tells the king that this lying spirit put lies in the mouths of his prophets, which God allowed.
Who was this "lying spirit"?
1.) When the spirit volunteers to do this deed, "all the host of heaven" are present, so is it possible that wicked spirits/demons can roam freely in and out of Heaven? Revelation 12 says that at some point, Satan and his angels will be no longer able or allowed any place in Heaven. This "lying spirit" could have been a demon used as a tool by God.
2.) Something to think about. Could the spirit have been Naboth the Jezreelite? Naboth was someone who had been framed and put to death by Ahab's queen. If his spirit was in Heaven, then he was present during this "gathering" and would have stepped out and volunteered out of vengeance. God could have allowed this to happen, to carry out His plan. The story of Naboth the Jezreelite, can be found in the Talmud, which is a central text of mainstream Judaism, consisting of Jewish law, customs, and culture.
Why God used this "lying spirit".
God had given king Ahab ample opportunities to repent and turn from his unrighteous ways. During his entire tenure as king of Israel, he failed to listen to any messenger of God. God showed him mercy countless times, giving him enough opportunities for repentance, until finally God gave him a final warning for consistently living a life of wicked rebellion. So, God allowed the lies and persuasion of a spirit to carry-out His plan. 1 Kings 22:20-22, "The Lord said, who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?........and there came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord and said, I will persuade him." The Bible describes all the hosts of Heaven standing on God's right and left of Him seated upon His throne. This was quite a gathering and the Lord's court was obviously in session. The verdict was guilty and sentenced to death at Ramoth-gilead.
Final thoughts
We have to acknowledge God's ultimate power and authority in what or whom He chooses to accomplish His holy purpose. Many church leaders say this "lying spirit" was an angel. But this may be a problem since the Bible doesn't address angels as a "spirit". Most scholars lean toward this spirit as being a demon. Regardless, everything is under His authority and control and God chooses to use both good and evil for His Divine purpose, "All inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will", Daniel 4:35
