The sixth of the minor prophets and son of Imlah, Micaiah the Elder prophesied the defeat and death of King Ahab despite the false oracles of the priests of Baal. Imprisoned for his frankness, he was released after the fulfillment of his prophecy during the siege of Ramoth. He is traditionally buried in Samaria.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
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SAINT MICAIAH THE ELDER, PROPHET
Historical context and royal alliance
In 916 BC, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied with King Ahab of Israel against Syria and requested to consult the divine will before the battle.
(Year of the world 3138; before Jesus Christ 916).
Micah the Elder, son of Imlah, was the sixth of the twelve minor pro phets. Jehoshaphat, k ing of Judah, who was a religious and God-fearing prince, having gone with his troops to the aid of Ahab, king of Israel, who was waging w ar against t he king of Syria, persuaded him to consult, before setting out on the campaign, the will of the Lord. Ahab, who joined idolatry to impiety, assembled his prophets, that is to say the priests of his idols, and asked for their advice: they advised him to enter the campaign and assured him that the Lord would deliver into his hands the city of Ramoth-Gilea d (a Levitical city of the tribe of Gad) which he intended to besiege.
The Prophetic Vision of Micaiah
Summoned to the court, Micaiah reveals a vision of the throne of God where a lying spirit is sent to deceive Ahab's false prophets and lead the king to his ruin.
However, Jehoshaphat, little reassured by the fallacious promises of Ahab's prophets, suggested to that prince to seek the advi ce of the prophet Micaiah of Samaria, whom he knew to be instructed in the secrets of Jehovah. He was brought; when he was in the presence of the two kin gs and the priests of Baal, he pronounced the oracles of the Almighty thus: "I saw the Lord sitting on His throne and surrounded by all the heavenly host who said: Who is it that will seduce Ahab to persuade him to march against Ramoth, so that he may perish there? Then the seducing spirit came forward and told the Lord that he would take it upon himself to seduce Ahab. — How will you do it? the Lord said to him. — The spirit replied: I will go and put a lie in the mouth of all his prophets. — The Lord said: You will indeed seduce him and you will have the advantage over him. — The Lord has therefore today put a spirit of lying in the mouth of all your prophets who are here, and He has pronounced your sentence."
Persecution, punishment and liberation
Micaiah is imprisoned for his frankness, but his prophecy is fulfilled: Ahab dies in battle and Micaiah is finally released.
The frankness of Micaiah excited the anger of the priests of the idols and the fury of the king; the former slapped him with contempt, the latter had him locked in a narrow prison (978 BC), intending, upon his return from his expedition, to have him put to death; but both soon expiated their crimes. The priests of Baal, convicted of lying, suffered much at the hands of the Jews, and Ahab, too confident in the oracles of his idols, lost his life in the battle he waged against the Syrians: an arrow pierced his heart. They washed his chariot and the reins of his horses in the pool where the dogs licked his blood, following the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of the prophet Elijah. Meanwhile, Micaiah was set at liberty. It is believed that after his death he was buried in Samaria, in Palestine (a city des troyed under Vespasian).
Distinction and sources
The text highlights the necessary distinction from Micah of Moresheth and cites hagiographic sources such as the Acta Sanctorum.
One must not confuse, as the Greeks have sometimes done, Saint Micah the Elder with Saint Mic ah of Moresheth, whose l ife we provided on January 15.
Baillet: Lives of the Saints of the Old Testament; Acta Sanctorum , August 14.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
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The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah)
Frequently asked questions about Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah)
Who was Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah)?
The sixth of the minor prophets and son of Imlah, Micaiah the Elder prophesied the defeat and death of King Ahab despite the false oracles of the priests of Baal. Imprisoned for his frankness, he was released after the fulfillment of his prophecy during the siege of Ramoth. He is traditionally buried in Samaria.
How is Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah) depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah) is recognizable by: prophet's clothing and prison.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah)?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Vision / apparition and Prophecy / infused knowledge.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Samuel, Prophet and Judge of Israel, Saint Elijah of Tishbe and Shemaiah (Shemaiah).
When did Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah) die?
Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah) died around -801.
What are the other names of Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah)?
Other forms of the name: Michée de Samarie and Michée fils de Jemla.
Who are the relatives of Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah)?
Relatives of Saint Micaiah the Elder (son of Imlah): Jemla (father).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Consulted by Kings Jehoshaphat and Ahab before the war against Syria
- Denunciation of the spirit of falsehood among the prophets of Baal
- Imprisonment by King Ahab
- Liberation after the death of Ahab in battle
- Burial in Samaria
Quotes
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I saw the Lord sitting on his throne and surrounded by all the heavenly host
Source text (Volume 9)