מלכים א, פרק כ״ב, פסוק כ״ז

As King Ahab prepares to ride into battle, he issues harsh orders regarding the prophet Micaiah. The king directs his commands to two officers, referring to the prophet with blatant disrespect [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He orders them to throw Micaiah into prison.

The primary approach among commentators is that the prophet is to be held under severe and strict detention conditions. He is to be placed on a punishing rationing system of bread and water. This means he will not be fed enough to satisfy his hunger. Rather, his food and drink will be limited to the absolute bare minimum required just to keep him alive.

Ahab decrees that these miserable conditions must continue until he returns safely from the war. His clear intention is to keep the prophet alive so that he can personally settle the score with him once the battle is won [ביאור שטיינזלץ].