1 Kings 22:24

But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah [Rawlinson holds that he was a sort of coryphaeus of the false prophets. It is more probable that, having put himself forward on a former occasion ( 1 Kings 22:11 ), he now feels specially aggrieved at Micaiah's blunt assertion, that he and the rest have been possessed by a spirit of lies] went near, and smote Micaiah [A thoroughly natural touch. But the whole narrative has every mark of naturalness and veracity. It is easy to see how enraged Zedekiah would be at the slight cast upon his prophetic powers. Apparently this gross indignity elicited no protest or word of displeasure from either of the kings. Micaiah, like Elijah, was left alone], on the cheek [cf. Job 16:10 ; Lamentations 3:30 ; Luke 6:29 ; and above all Matthew 26:67 ; Luke 22:64 ; Acts 23:2 . Herein Micaiah had "the fellowship of sufferings" ( Philippians 3:10 ) with our blessed Lord. Rawlinson thinks that his hands would be bound, but this is extremely improbable. In that case Ahab could hardly have asked him to prophesy ( Acts 23:15 ), or if he did, Jehoshaphat would know beforehand what to expect], and said, Which way [Heb. What, or where . The chronicler supplies "way," thereby bringing the expression into unison with 1 Kings 13:12 ; 2 Kings 3:8 ; Job 38:24 ] went [Heb. passed, crossed, עָבַר ] the Spirit of the Lord [These words are important, as showing that the speaker had not identified "the spirit" of verse 21 with the evil spirit: Job 1:6 sqq.] from me to speak unto thee? [It is pretty clear from these words, in connexion with verse 23, that Zedekiah had been conscious of an inspiration, of a spirit not his own, which impelled him to speak and act as he did. We must not attach too much import-ante to a taunting and passionate speech, but its meaning appears to be: I have spoken in the name and by the spirit of Jehovah. Thou claimest to have done the same. How is it that the Spirit of God speaks one thing by me, another by thee? Thou hast seen ( Job 1:19 ) the secret counsels of Heaven. Tell us, then, which way, etc.