וַיֵּצֵ֣א הָר֗וּחַ וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲנִ֣י אֲפַתֶּ֑נּוּ וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהוָ֛ה אֵלָ֖יו בַּמָּֽה׃
“Kemudian majulah roh itu, berdiri di hadapan Yang Mahakekal, dan berkata: Akulah yang akan membujuknya. Yang Mahakekal bertanya kepadanya: Dengan cara apa?”
Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition)
R. Nachman said: "Achab's sins and good deeds were just equal, as it is said (Ib. 22, 20) Who will persuade Achab, hence it is difficult to punish him, as his sins did not outweigh his good deeds." R. Joseph contradicted this and said that he, concerning whom it reads (Ib. 21, 25) But indeed there was none like unto Achab, etc., and we are taught that he used to give a daily allowance of golden dollars for the idols. How can you say that his sins and good deeds were equal? The reason, however, that it was necessary to persuade him, is because he was liberal with his money and assisted many scholars from his estate, and therefore half of his sins were atoned. (Ib. 22, 21) And there came forth the spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said: I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him: Wherewith? And he said: I will go forth and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said: Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also; go forth, and do so. Whose spirit was it? Said R. Jochannan: "The spirit of Naboth the Israelite." And what is meant by Go forth? Said R. Juda: "Go forth from My compartment; for it is written (Ps. 191, 7) He that speaketh falsehood shall not be establsihed before mine eyes." Said R. Papa: "This is meant what the people say: 'He that wreaks his vengeance destroys his own house'."