9 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, "Quickly get Micaiah the son of Imlah."
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
An officer - More properly, as in the margin, "a eunuch." Eunuchs seem to have been first introduced among the Israelites by David (1-Chronicles 28:1 note). They were a natural accompaniment of the seraglio of Solomon. The present passage is the first which shows that, after the separation of the kingdom, the kings of Israel employed them (compare 2-Kings 8:6; 2-Kings 9:32).
The king of Israel called an officer - סריס saris, literally a eunuch; probably a foreigner, for it was not lawful to disgrace an Israelite by reducing him to such a state.
Then the king of Israel called an (i) officer, and said, Hasten [hither] Micaiah the son of Imlah.
(i) Read (Genesis 37:36).
Then the king of Israel called an officer,.... An eunuch, as the word is sometimes used, one of pages:
and said, hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah; who, as it seems from 1-Kings 22:26 was in prison, where perhaps Ahab had cast him for his last prophecy to him, and where he had lain ever since; and this gives a reason why he could so readily send for him, knowing where he was.
By Jehoshaphat's desire, Ahab nevertheless sent a chamberlain (סריס; see at 1-Samuel 8:15 and Genesis 37:36) to fetch Micah (מהרה, bring quickly).
Micaiah - It seems, he had imprisoned him; for 1-Kings 22:26, he bids the officer carry him back, namely to the place where he was before. Probably this was he that had reproved him, for letting Ben - hadad go: And for that, had lain in prison three years. But this did not make him less confident, or less faithful in delivering his message.
*More commentary available at chapter level.