Although Jehoshaphat in a moment of weakness had rashly promised to join the king of Israel in his war against the Syrians, yet his better judgment led him to seek to learn the will of God concerning the undertaking. "Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord today," he suggested to Ahab. In response, Ahab called together four hundred of the false prophets of Samaria, and asked of them, "Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear?" And they answered, "Go up; for God will deliver it into the kings's hand." Verses 4, 5.

Skønt Josafat i et svagheds øjeblik havde lovet at drage med Israels konge i krig mod syrerne, tilskyndende hans sunde dømmekraft ham til at undersøge, hvad der var Guds vilje med hensyn til dette felttog. Han sagde til Akab: "Spørg dog først om, hvad Herren siger!" Akab lod nu 400 falske profeter, som var i Samaria, kalde sammen og spurgte dem: "Skal jeg drage i krig mod Ramot i Gilead, eller skal jeg lade være?" De svarede: "Drag derop, så vil Gud give det i kongens hånd!" 4-5. vers.