The holy prophet Micah, son of Iemla, was a contemporary of the prophet Elijah and lived during the reign of Ahab, king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. He foretold the unfortunate end of Ahab's war against Syria. When Jehoshaphat visited Ahab, he proposed to unite forces against Syria, but Jehoshaphat wanted to know the will of God. Ahab summoned the false prophets of Baal, who predicted victory. However, Jehoshaphat asked about the prophet of the Lord, and Ahab mentioned Micah, whom he disliked for his negative prophecies.
When Micah was summoned, he prophesied that Israel would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd and advised the kings to return home in peace. Ahab, not heeding him, engaged in battle and received a mortal wound in the first encounter, while Jehoshaphat returned to Judah.
