26 The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Carry him back - literally, "cause him to return." Micaiah had been in custody before, and was brought by Ahab's messenger from his prison.
The governor of the city - This is one out of several notices respecting what may be called the "constitution" of the Israelite kingdom. The king consulted on important matters a Council of elders 1-Kings 20:7-8. The general administration was carried on by means of the governors of provinces 1-Kings 20:14 and of cities 2-Kings 10:5. The governors of cities, like the monarch, were assisted and checked by councils of elders, the wise men of the several towns 1-Kings 21:8-12; 2-Kings 10:5. Thus Samaria, as we see from the present passage, was under a special governor, who, among his other duties, had the control of the public prison, and directed the treatment of the prisoners.
The king's son - The phrase seems to designate a state office, rather than relationship to the sovereign. Compare 2-Chronicles 28:7.
And the king of Israel said,.... To some of his officers:
take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city: the chief magistrate under the king; a sort of sheriff, who had the care of malefactors, and of all committed to prison, from whom he was received by the messenger, and now sent back to him:
and to Joash the king's son; who might be over his household, as sometimes the king's son was, 2-Chronicles 26:21 or might be viceroy while the king was without the city, and at the gate of it, and about to go to war.
Take Micaiah, . . . Put this fellow in prison--Ahab, under the impulse of vehement resentment, remands the prophet until his return.
*More commentary available at chapter level.