2 Chronicles 18:20

Verse

Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD.

American Standard Version (1901)

And there came forth a spirit, and stood before Jehovah, and said, I will entice him. And Jehovah said unto him, Wherewith?

Bible in Basic English

Then a spirit came forward and took his place before the Lord and said, I will get him to do it by a trick. And the Lord said to him, How?

Douay-Rheims 1899

There came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said: I will deceive him. And the Lord said to him: By what means wilt thou deceive him?

Free Bible Version

Finally a spirit came and approached the Lord and said, ‘I will trick him.’ ‘How are you going to do that?’ the Lord asked.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then there came forth a spirit and stoode before the Lord, and said, I will perswade him. And the Lord said vnto him, Wherein?

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

“Finally one spirit, having received a message from Satan, came to Yahweh and said, ‘I can do it!’ “Yahweh asked him, ‘How will you do it?’

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then a spirit came forward and it stood before Yahweh and said, 'I will entice him.' Yahweh said to him, 'How?'

Noah Webster Bible

Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said to him, With what?

World English Bible

A spirit came out, stood before Yahweh, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ “Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’

Young's Literal Translation

And go out doth the spirit, and stand before Jehovah, and saith, I do entice him; and Jehovah saith unto him, With what?

Context

Micaiah Prophesies against Ahab

¹⁹And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that. ²⁰Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD.

Sermons

The Lord Stirred Up the Spirit of Cyrus.

F.B. Meyer

Summary

In this verse, the prophet Micaiah describes a vision where he sees the heavenly council discussing how to entice King Ahab to go into battle and meet his downfall. The scene reveals the spiritual realm's involvement in earthly affairs, showing the sovereignty of God over all events, including the decisions of kings. Micaiah's vision serves as a warning to Ahab about the consequences of his actions and the importance of seeking God's guidance rather than following false prophets. It underscores the principle that God's will ultimately prevails, despite human intentions or schemes.

Commentary

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Then there came out a spirit - The Targum gives a strange gloss here: "Then the spirit of Naboth of Jezreel came out from the abode of the righteous, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will deceive him. And the Lord said, By what means? To which he answered, I will be a spirit of false prophecy in the mouth of his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou mayest then. But although the power of deceiving them is given unto thee, nevertheless it will not be lawful for thee to sit among the righteous; for whosoever shall speak falsely cannot have a mansion among the righteous. Therefore go forth from me, and do as thou hast said." - Targum.