The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 534

Oh11;1"ch, which is _pract~cally understoo~ to be the clergy in co:nncil, has authority to bmd the consc10nce m matters of faith. The arguments relied upon to sustain this view are generally based upon claims of profession, numbers, and agreement. (2) On the other hand, the definition of the Church is questioned, and the claims are refused as insufficient for their purpose, since by them Ahab's prophets might prove themselves true I II. TESTS WHICH MAY BE TRUSTED. 1. The witnesses should be honest. (1) Ahab's prophets were interested in their testimony. They enjoyed the patronage of the king, and they said what they knew would gratify him. Their testimony, therefore, is open to suspicion. (2) Micaiah, on the contrary, had nothing to gain, but everything to lose, in taking his course. He knew the temper of the king. He was importuned by the king's messenger to concur with the king's prophets. He had already suffered for his faithfulness, for he seems to have been brought from the custody of Amon, in whose prison he had probably lain for three years. By flattering Ahab he might now obtain release, but by taking e.n opposite course he could only expect to go back to jail. Probabilities also were against him, for in the last two battles, Ahab, without the aid of Jehoshaphat, worsted the Syrians. Should the king of Israel now " return in peace " what may Micaiah expect? (3) Nothing but the consciousness that he was uttering the truth of God could account for the son of Imlah deliberately encountering all this. And only upon this ground could he hope for any favour from God. Suspicion, therefore, as to the honesty of Micaiah is out of the question. (4) But ce.n it be pleaded that the honesty of the ecclesiastics who framed the decrees of councils is beyond suspicion? In decreeing the infallibility of the bishop of Rome, e.g., were they disinterested, when they knew bow pleasing to him would be the reputation of such an attribute, and when they knew what patronage and power to injure were vested in his ha.nds? 2. They should have miraculous authentication. (1) It is easy to say, "Thus sa.ith the Lord,'' but not so easy to evince it. The four hundred could say it, but they could show no miracle to prove that they spoke from God. (2) It was otherwise with Micaiah. For, with the Jews, we presume he was that prophet who "prophesieu evil con- cerning Aha.b," and authenticated his message by the sign of the lion destroying his fellow for disobedience (cf. ver. 8 with eh. xx. 35--43). (3) Clergy in council may claim Divine authority for their decrees, but unless they can verify their claim by adequate signs they presume when they impose. a. Their testimony should be agreeable to the word of God. (1) "Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, wha.t the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak." The one question for us in these days is this: Is tho testimony agreeable to the Bible? This we know by infallible proofs to Le the word of God. "But," it is objected, "the Bible needs a.uthorita.tive in- terpret1ition, and who is to interpret but the Church?" To which we ma.y answer, And the Church still more needs authoritative interpretation, and who is to inter- pret but the Bible ? The authority of the Bible is admitted ; that of the Church is in question. (2) The right of private judgment must be maintained. For the exercise of this right we shnll every one of us give account of himself unto God. That ill-dc:finecl thing, the Church, cannot relea.se us from this obligo.tion. We co.nuot put our judgment and conscience into commission.-J. A. M. Vers .. 16-23.-Micaiah's Prophecy. It is evident from the text and from ver. 8 that this was not the first time Ahab and Micaiah had met. The Jews suppose, nppo.renLly with reason, that Micaiah was that prophet who, when Ahab sent Bcn-hadcul nway with a covenant, said to the king of Israel, " Thus saith the Lord: Because_ thou hast let go out of thine hand a man whom I appointed to utter dcstmct10n, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people " (se~ eh. xx. 35-43). In considering the prophecy of Micaiah now before UB, we notice- I. THAT I~ IS PREFACED WITH A SALLY OF IRONY. 1. He answers the king in the words of his proph~ts. (1) Cf. vers. 6, 12, 16. (2) These words are equivocal. "The Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king." What king? "The kin"" may mean either Ahab or Ben-hadad . . What? This is not clear; for the wird 650 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [cH. XXII. 1-58.