Ahab in the Bible

Exact Match

And Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria; and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.

Verse ConceptsKings Of The Northern Kingdom

And Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah; and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.

Verse Concepts20 To 30 Years

And Ahab the son of Omri wrought evil in the sight of Jehovah more than all that were before him.

Verse ConceptsBehaviourjezebel

In fact, as if it were nothing for him to live like Nebat's son Jeroboam, Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon. Then he went out to serve Baal and worship him.

Verse ConceptsMarriage, Restrictions ConcerningPolygamyServanthood, And Worship Of GodImitating Wicked KingsUnimportant Thingsjezebel

And Ahab made the Asherah; and Ahab did more to provoke Jehovah the God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

Verse ConceptsFalse GodsServing Asherahjezebel

During Ahab's reign, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. Abiram, his firstborn son, died when he laid the foundation; Segub, his youngest son, died when he erected its gates, just as the Lord had warned through Joshua son of Nun.

Verse ConceptsFoundationsFirstbornFathers, Sin Of TheGatesProphecy, Fulfilment Of OtSacrifice, In OtDeath Of The FirstbornThe Youngest ChildFoundations Of NationsCity GatesRebuilding Named CitiesWords To Individuals Fulfilled

And it came to pass after many days, that the word of Jehovah came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.

Verse ConceptsRainDivine DirectionGod Sending RainPeople Made KnownGod Controlling The Rain

And Elijah went to shew himself to Ahab. And the famine was severe in Samaria.

and Ahab said to Obadiah, Go through the land, to all the fountains of water and to all the torrents, perhaps we may find grass to save the horses and the mules alive, so that we may not have to destroy some of our beasts.

Verse ConceptsGrassMulesFeeding AnimalsKept Alive By Men

And they divided the land between them to pass through it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

And he said unto him, "I am he. Go and tell Ahab that Elijah is here."

Verse ConceptsThis Is MeIn Men's Presence

And he said, What have I sinned, that thou givest thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to put me to death?

Verse ConceptsWhat Sin?

And it shall come to pass when I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of Jehovah shall carry thee whither I know not; and when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he will kill me; and I thy servant fear Jehovah from my youth.

Verse ConceptsYouthChildren, Good Examples OfGodly Fear, Examples OfGuidance Of The Holy SpiritBeing Devoted From YouthGod Carrying PeopleIndividuals Fearing God

Then Elijah said, “As the Lord of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, today I will present myself to Ahab.”

Verse ConceptsBoldness Examples OfTodayPeople Made Known

So Ahab sent to all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

And Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed down on the earth, and put his face between his knees.

Verse ConceptsClimbingKneesBowing Heads Before God

And it came to pass at the seventh time that he said, Behold there is a cloud, small as a man's hand, arising out of the sea. And he said, Go up, say to Ahab, Harness and go down, that the pour of rain stop thee not.

Verse ConceptsChariotsSmallnessSmall Things God UsesSmall ThingsAvoid Being Hindered

And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heavens became black with clouds and wind, and there was a great pour of rain. And Ahab got on the chariot, and went to Jizreel.

Verse ConceptsBlackSkyGod Sending RainDarkness During Daytime

After delivering Ahab's answer, the envoys returned with this message: "This is what Ben-hadad says: "I've sent my envoys to you to tell you that your silver, gold, wives, and children are to be given to me.

Verse ConceptsPolygamyRiches, Ungodly Use OfIndeterminate Sums Of MoneyTaking Mixed MetalsTransferring Wives

So he told Ben-hadad's envoys, "Tell his majesty the king, "Everything that you asked for the first time I will do, but this thing I cannot do.'" So the envoys left to deliver Ahab's response. They returned a little while later.

Ben-hadad received Ahab's response while he was celebrating with his kings in the battle pavilions. "Sound "Battle Stations!'" he ordered, and the army began to prepare their attack.

Verse ConceptsReadinessDrunk Individuals

Behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel, and said, "Thus says Yahweh, 'Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this day; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.'"

Verse ConceptsAssurance, basis ofMany CombatantsKnowledge, Of GodProphets, Role OfUnnamed Prophets Of The LordList Of Kings Of IsraelThose God Gave Into Their Hands

Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says Yahweh, 'By the young men of the princes of the provinces.'" Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You."

Verse ConceptsCommanderOfficersWho Is The Doer?First To Fight

So Ahab assembled the 232 servants of the district governors. After that he assembled all the Israelite army, numbering 7,000.

Verse ConceptsSeven ThousandTwo Hundred And Some

So they put sackcloth around their waists and ropes on their heads and went to the king of Israel. They said, "Your servant Ben Hadad says, 'Please let me live!'" Ahab replied, "Is he still alive? He is my brother."

Verse ConceptsWaistsRelativesLiving On

The men took this as a good omen and they quickly accepted [it] as true from him, and they said, "Your brother Ben-Hadad [lives]." So he said, "Go, get him." Ben-Hadad came out to him, and [Ahab] pulled him up on the chariot.

Verse ConceptsChariots

Ben Hadad said to him, "The cities which my father took from your father I will restore. You shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria." "I," said Ahab, "will let you go with this covenant." So he made a covenant with him, and let him go.

Verse ConceptsCovenant RelationshipsAgreements, LegalCovenant breakersFaithfulness, In Human RelationshipsMarketsRestitutionTradeTreatyCities In Israel

So the prophet left and waited for King Ahab by the road, and disguised himself [as a wounded soldier] with a bandage over his eyes.

Verse ConceptsRoadsStandingWaitingdisguisesEyes Harmed

Then the prophet quickly removed the bandage from his eyes, and [Ahab] the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.

Verse ConceptsEyes HarmedRecognising PeopleRemoving People From Your Life

It happened after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

Verse ConceptsPalacesSamaritansList Of Kings Of Israel

Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near to my house; and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money."

Verse ConceptsGarden, NaturalHorticultureCovetousness, Example Of

Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He laid himself down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

Verse ConceptsResentment, Against GodSadnessTemperUnhappinessAnger, Sinful ExamplesLying Down To RestAngry People

So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles who were in his city, who lived with Naboth.

Verse ConceptsLettersNoblesSealsjezebel

It happened, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, "Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead."

Verse ConceptsSuffering, Of Jesus Christjezebel

It happened, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

Verse ConceptsConfiscation

"Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it.

Verse ConceptsDivine DirectionList Of Kings Of IsraelTaking Possessions

Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, my enemy?" He answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh.

Verse ConceptsBuying and sellingGrudgesCharacter Of WickedCourage, Examples OfFinding People

Behold, I will bring evil on you, and will utterly sweep you away and will cut off from Ahab everyone who urinates against a wall, and him who is shut up and him who is left at large in Israel.

Verse ConceptsUrinatingDeath Of All MalesSlave Or Free

The dogs will eat he who dies of Ahab in the city; and the birds of the sky will eat he who dies in the field."

Verse ConceptsAnimals Eating PeopleEating CorpsesBirds Eating

But there was none like Ahab, who sold himself to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

Verse ConceptsBad ExampleBad Wives ExamplesTemptressesUnique IndividualsNamed Wivesjezebel

"See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but in his son's days will I bring the evil on his house."

Verse ConceptsHumilityPunishment, DelayedDivine DelaysGod Will Bring HarmHumbling OneselfHumble Yourselfhumbleness

And Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

Verse ConceptsNationalismFighting TogetherPeople Are The SameAcquiring HorsesList Of Kings Of IsraelThe Nations Attacked

"There is still one man left by whom we could ask the LORD what to do," the king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, "but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me. Instead, he prophesies evil. He is Imla's son Micaiah." But Jehoshaphat rebuked Ahab, "Kings should never talk like that."

Verse ConceptsGrudgesHatredPersecution, Forms OfHating IndividualsNamed Prophets Of The LordFake Friends

Yahweh said, 'Who shall entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One said one thing; and another said another.

Verse ConceptsEnticing

So [Ahab] the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.

Verse ConceptsThe Nations Attacked

Now the king of Aram (Syria) had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with [anyone, either] small or great, but with [Ahab] the king of Israel alone.”

Verse ConceptsThirty SomeSmallnesssyria

The battle continued on for the rest of the day while the king of Israel was propped up in front of the Arameans until the sun set, at which time he died. The blood from Ahab's wound ran down into the bottom of the chariot.

Verse ConceptsSuffering, Causes OfCovered With BloodOther Supporting

Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he built, and all the cities that he built, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Verse ConceptsArtIvoryPalacesProperty, HousesCities In IsraelHistorical Books

Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.

Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Let my servants go with your servants in the ships." But Jehoshaphat would not.

Verse ConceptsMarinersGoing Together

Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel.

Verse ConceptsTwo YearsList Of Kings Of Israel

He did evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the [idolatrous] way of his father [Ahab] and of his mother [Jezebel], and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin.

Verse ConceptsChildren, needs ofChildren, Bad Parental ExamplesMothers, Examples OfMothers, Responsibilities OfImitating Wicked Kingsjezebel

So Ahaziah [the son of King Ahab] died in accordance with the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken. And because he had no son, Jehoram [his younger brother] became king [of Israel, the northern kingdom] in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah [the southern kingdom].

Verse ConceptsWord Of GodKings Of The Northern KingdomList Of Kings Of IsraelWords To Individuals Fulfilled

Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

Verse ConceptsTen To Fourteen YearsList Of Kings Of IsraelKings of judah

But it happened, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

Now Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What business do you have with me? Go to the prophets of your [wicked] father [Ahab] and to the prophets of your [pagan] mother [Jezebel].” But the king of Israel said to him, “No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to be handed over to Moab.”

Verse ConceptsThree MenWhat Have We In Common?Given Into One's HandsGod Will Cause DefeatProphets Of Other Gods

Now in the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Joram son of Jehoshaphat became the king of Judah.

Verse ConceptsList Of Kings Of Israel

He walked in the way of the kings of Israel as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab became his wife, and he did evil in the eyes of Yahweh.

Verse ConceptsThe Kingdom Of Others

In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Joram became king of Judah.

Verse ConceptsList Of Kings Of Israel

He walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of Yahweh, as the house of Ahab; for he [was] the son-in-law of the house of Ahab.

Verse ConceptsSons In LawThe Kingdom Of Others

He went with Joram the son of Ahab for the battle against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-Gilead, and the Arameans wounded Joram.

Verse ConceptsFighting Together

Joram the king returned to Jezreel to heal from the wounds which the Arameans had inflicted at Ramah when Hazael king of Aram fought him. Ahaziah the son of Joram, king of Judah, went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, for he [was] ill.

Verse ConceptsVisitingVisiting Of The SickVisitationPeople Visiting

You will destroy the house of Ahab your master, and you will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all of the servants of Yahweh, from the hand of Jezebel.

Verse ConceptsAvenger of bloodRetributionRevenge, And RetaliationResponsibility For Blood ShedKilling ProphetsProphets Killedjezebel

I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah.

He said to Bidkar his third [servant], "Lift [him] out and throw him on the plot of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite, for remember, you and I [were] with the pair [of chariots] behind Ahab his father when Yahweh pronounced this oracle against him:

In the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab, Ahaziah had become king over Judah.

Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria, and Jehu wrote letters, and he sent them to Samaria to the officials of Jezreel, to the elders and to the guardians of Ahab, saying,

Verse ConceptsGovernorsGuardiansSeventies

So the controller of the king's house, with the ruler of the town, and the responsible men, and those who had the care of Ahab's sons, sent to Jehu, saying, We are your servants and will do all your orders; we will not make any man king; do whatever seems best to you.

Verse Conceptselders, as community leadersGovernorsPalaces

Know then that {the word of Yahweh will not fail} which Yahweh spoke concerning the house of Ahab; Yahweh has done what he spoke by the hand of his servant Elijah.

Verse ConceptsMinistry, Nature OfWords To Individuals Fulfilled

Then Jehu killed all of the remainder of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, all of his leaders, his close friends, and his priests, until there was no survivor left for him.

Verse ConceptsAbandoning FriendsNo SurvivorsKilling Whole Families

Then he came to Samaria and killed all who remained to Ahab in Samaria until he wiped them out according to the word of Yahweh which he had spoken to Elijah.

Verse ConceptsWord Of GodKilling Whole Families

Then Jehu assembled all of the people and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will worship him greatly.

Verse ConceptsFollowers Of Baal

Yahweh said to Jehu, "Because you have done well by doing right in my eyes and you have done to the house of Ahab according to all that [was] in my heart; [therefore,] sons of the fourth generation will sit for you on the throne of Israel."

Verse ConceptsGenerationsSittingThrone

He returned and rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed. He erected altars for Baal and made a pole of Asherah worship just as Ahab king of Israel had made, and he bowed down to all of the host of heaven and served them.

Verse ConceptsFalse GodsFalse ReligionBowingAltars, PaganBuilding AltarsList Of Kings Of IsraelServing Asherah

I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plumb line of the house of Ahab, and I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes the dish; he wipes it and turns it on its face.

Verse ConceptsPlumb LineTurning Upside DownClean Objects

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and he made an alliance with Ahab through marriage.

Verse ConceptsAliances

Then after some years, he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab sacrificed many sheep and cattle for him and for the people who were with him. Then he persuaded him to march up to Ramoth-gilead,

Verse ConceptsVisiting

for Israel’s King Ahab asked Judah’s King Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?”

He replied to him, “I am as you are, my people as your people; we will be with you in the battle.”

Verse ConceptsPeople Are The Same

"There is still one man left by whom we could ask the LORD what to do," the king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, "but I hate him because he won't prophesy anything good about me. Instead, he always prophesies evil. He is Imla's son Micaiah." But Jehoshaphat rebuked Ahab, "Kings should never talk like that."

Verse ConceptsPersecution, Forms Of

And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spoke saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

So [Ahab] the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead.

Then a certain man drew his bow at random and struck [Ahab] the king of Israel between the scales of his armor. So Ahab said to his chariot driver, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, because I am seriously wounded.”

Verse ConceptsBreastplatesBow And Arrows, Uses OfArmour

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab as his wife: and he did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.

Verse ConceptsImitating Wicked Kings

But have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot, like the harlotries of the house of Ahab, and also have slain your brothers of your father's house, who were better than yourself:

Verse ConceptsSpiritual HarlotryMurderImitating Wicked Kings

Therefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.

He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead: and the Syrians wounded Joram.

Thematic Bible



The thirty eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and reigned in Samaria twenty two years.

And Elijah the Tishbite, which was of the inhabiters of Gilead, said unto Ahab, "As truly as the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, save as I appoint it."

And Ahab said unto Obadiah, "Walk through the land, unto all fountains of water and unto all brooks, to see whether any grass may be found that we may save the horses and the mules, that we destroy not the beasts."

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and altogether how he had slain the Prophets with the sword.

And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city,

For there was none at all like Ahab, that was so utterly given to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, and that because Jezebel his wife pricked him forward.

Then said the king of Israel unto his servants, "Know ye not that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we sit still and take it not out of the hands of the king of Syria?"

Then he found another man and said to him, "Smite me, I pray thee." And the man gave him a good stripe and wounded him.

Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria - unto the elders that were lords of Jezreel, and to them that nursed up Ahab's children - saying, "Now at the coming of these letters to you,

Consider now how there is nothing of the LORD's word fallen to the earth, which he spake against the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that he spake to his servant Elijah."


And he said unto the king, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'Because thou hast let go a man that ought to have died, thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his."

And say unto him, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: thou hast killed and thereto gotten possession.' And say moreover unto him, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: in the place where dogs lapped the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lap even thy blood also.'" And Ahab said to Elijah, "Hast thou found me thine enemy at any time?" And he said, "Yea, because thou art utterly given to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will make clean riddance of thee, and will destroy unto Ahab all that pisseth against the wall, and if ought be prisoned or forsaken in Israel: read more.
and will make thine house, like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the angering wherewith thou hast angered and made Israel sin." And thereto against Jezebel came the word of the LORD, saying, "Dogs shall eat Jezebel, under the walls of Jezreel. And he that dieth of Ahab in the town, him shall dogs eat: and he that dieth in the fields, him shall the fowls of the air eat."

And Micaiah said, "Hear therefore the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sit on his seat and all his company of heaven standing about him, on his righthand and on his left. And the LORD said, 'Who shall deceive Ahab that he may go and be slain at Ramoth in Gilead?' And one said on this manner and another on that. Then came forth a spirit and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will deceive him.' And the LORD said, 'Wherewith?' read more.
And he said, 'I will go out and be a false spirit in the mouths of all Prophets.' And the LORD said, 'Thou shalt deceive him and also prevail, go forth and do even so.' Now therefore behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets: when in very deed the LORD hath spoken evil toward thee." Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "How is the spirit of the LORD gone from me, to speak in thee?" And Micaiah said, "Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go from chamber to chamber to hide thee." And the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and carry him back again into Amon the governor of the city, and unto Joab the king's son, and say, 'Thus sayeth the king. Put ye this fellow in the prison house and feed him with bread and water straightly, until I return in peace.'" Then Micaiah said, "If thou come safe again, the LORD hath not spoken in me." And he said moreover, "Hearken to the people every one of you."

for the whole house of Ahab shall be destroyed; and I will destroy unto Ahab what pisseth against the wall, and so much as the prisoned or that which is forsaken in Israel,

Then he said to Bidkar, a lord of his, "Take and cast him in the plot of ground of Naboth the Jezreelite. For I remember as I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, how the LORD spake these words against him: 'I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth and of his sons,' said the LORD, 'and I will quite him in this ground,' sayeth the LORD. Now therefore take him and cast him in the plot of ground according to the word of the LORD."


And he wrought that was evil in the sight of the LORD: but not like his father or his mother, for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.

And he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab - for a daughter of Ahab was his wife - and he wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD.

And he walked also in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor for to do evil. Wherefore he did that displeased the LORD like to the house of Ahab, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.

Ye keep the ordinances of Omri, and all the customs of the house of Ahab: Ye follow their pleasures, therefore will I make thee waste, and cause thy inhabiters to be abhorred, O my people: and thus shalt thou bear thine own shame.


And he displeased the LORD above all that were before him. For it seemed him a light thing to walk in the sin of Jeroboam - But took Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians to wife, and went and served Baal and bowed unto him. And he reared an altar to Baal in the house of Baal which he had made in Samaria. read more.
And Ahab made a grove, and proceeded further in angering the LORD God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

And he said, "It is not I that trouble Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and hast followed Baal. But now send and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel; and the Prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty; and the Prophets of the groves; four hundred, which eat of Jezebel's table.

For there was none at all like Ahab, that was so utterly given to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, and that because Jezebel his wife pricked him forward. And therefore he did exceeding abominably, in following Idols, in all things like as did the Amorites which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.


And he displeased the LORD above all that were before him. For it seemed him a light thing to walk in the sin of Jeroboam - But took Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians to wife, and went and served Baal and bowed unto him. And he reared an altar to Baal in the house of Baal which he had made in Samaria. read more.
And Ahab made a grove, and proceeded further in angering the LORD God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

And therefore he did exceeding abominably, in following Idols, in all things like as did the Amorites which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.


For there was none at all like Ahab, that was so utterly given to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, and that because Jezebel his wife pricked him forward.

Then said Jezebel his wife unto him, "What a goodly kingdom were thou able to make in Israel? Up, and eat meat and set thine heart at rest, for I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."



and will make thine house, like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the angering wherewith thou hast angered and made Israel sin."


Then Micaiah said, "If thou come safe again, the LORD hath not spoken in me." And he said moreover, "Hearken to the people every one of you."


Then went Ahab unto his house wayward and evil apaid, because of the words which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken unto him, saying, "I will not give to thee the inheritance of my fathers." And he laid him down upon his bed and turned away his face, and would eat no meat.


And when Ahab saw Elijah, he said unto him, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" And he said, "It is not I that trouble Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and hast followed Baal. But now send and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel; and the Prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty; and the Prophets of the groves; four hundred, which eat of Jezebel's table. read more.
And Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the Prophets unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came unto all the people and said, "Why halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be very God, follow him: or if Baal be he, follow him." And the people answered him not one word. Then said Elijah unto the people, "I only remain of the LORD's Prophets, and Baal's Prophets are four hundredth and fifty. Let two oxen be given us, and let them choose the one and cut him in pieces and lay him on wood, and put no fire under. And I will dress the other and put him on wood, and will put no fire under. And call ye on the name of your God, and I will call on the name of the LORD. And then the God that answereth by fire, he is the very God." And all the people said, "It is well spoken." Then said Elijah unto the Prophets of Baal, "Choose you an ox and dress him first - for ye are many - and call on the name of your God, but put no fire under." And they took the ox that was given them and dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning to noon saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice nor answer. And they leapt about the altar that they had made. And at noon Elijah mocked them, and said, "Call loud, for he is a god: but he is talking, or occupied, or in the way, or haply he sleepeth, that he may awake!" And they cried loud and cut themselves, as their manner was, with knives and lances, till the blood flowed on them. And when midday was passed, they prophesied until it was time to offer. But there was neither voice nor answer nor any that regarded them. Then Elijah said to all the folk, "Come to me." And all the people came to him. And he mended the altar of the LORD that was broken. And he took twelve stones according to the number of the twelve tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came saying, "Israel shall be thy name." And with the stones he made an altar in the name of the LORD. And he made a gutter round about the altar, able to receive two pecks of corn. And he put the wood in order, and hewed the ox in pieces, and put him on the wood, and said, "Fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the sacrifice and on the wood." And he said, "Do so again." And they did so again. Then he said, "Do it the third time." And they did so the third time. And the water ran round about the altar, and the gutter was full of water also. And when offering time was come, Elijah the prophet went to and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and of Israel, let it be known this day, that thou art the God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I do all these things at thy commandment. Hear me, O LORD; hear me, that this people may know, that thou LORD, art the God, and that thou hast turned their hearts backward." And there fell fire from the LORD and consumed the sacrifice and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the gutter. And when all the people saw that, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God, the LORD, he is God." Then said Elijah unto them, "Lay hands on the Prophets of Baal - let not one of them escape." And when they had taken them, Elijah brought them down unto the brook Kishon, and slew them there. Then Elijah said unto Ahab, "Get thee up and eat and drink, for there is a sound of much rain." And when Ahab went up to eat and to drink, Elijah went up to the top of mount Carmel; and bowed himself to the earth, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, "Go up and look toward the sea." And he went up and looked, and said, "Here is nothing." And he said, "Go again seven times." And the seventh time he said, "Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like the palm of a man's hand." Then he said, "Go and say to Ahab, 'Put the horses in the chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.'" And within a little while, heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab, till they came to Jezreel.


Thus hath the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel spoken, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy lies unto you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, that he may slay them before your eyes. And all the prisoners of Judah that are in Babylon, shall take upon them this term of cursing, and say, 'Now God do unto thee, as he did unto Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;


It fortuned in the days of Ahasuerus - which reigned from India unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty lands -


Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria - unto the elders that were lords of Jezreel, and to them that nursed up Ahab's children - saying, "Now at the coming of these letters to you, ye have with you your master's sons, and ye have with you chariots and horses, and a strong city and harness. Therefore choose the best, and him that most pleaseth you of your master's sons, and put him on his father's seat, and fight for your lord's house." read more.
And they were accordingly afraid, and said, "See, two kings were not able to stand before him: how shall we then stand?" And the governor of the king's house and of the city and of the elders and the nurses sent to Jehu, saying, "We are thy servants and will do all that thou shalt bid us. We will make no man king: but do thou what seemeth good in thine eyes." Then he wrote another letter to them saying, "If ye be mine and will obey my voice, then take the heads of your master's sons and come to me to Jezreel, by tomorrow this time." And the king's sons were seventy persons with the great men of the city which nourished them. And when the letter came to them, they took the king's children and slew them in number, seventy persons, and put their heads in coffins and sent them to him to Jezreel. And there came a messenger and told him, saying, "They have brought the heads of the king's sons." And he said, "Let them put them on two heaps in the entering of the gate, till it be day."


And when Ahab was laid to rest with his fathers, Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.


For it seemed him a light thing to walk in the sin of Jeroboam - But took Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians to wife, and went and served Baal and bowed unto him.


The thirty eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and reigned in Samaria twenty two years.




Then went Ahab unto his house wayward and evil apaid, because of the words which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken unto him, saying, "I will not give to thee the inheritance of my fathers." And he laid him down upon his bed and turned away his face, and would eat no meat.


When Ahab heard those words, he rent his clothes and put sackcloth about his flesh and fasted, and lay in sack and went comfortless.


And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, "Let me have thy vineyard, to make me a garden of herbs thereof, because it lieth so nigh my house: and I will give thee a better vineyard for it: or if it please thee I will give thee, the worth of it in silver." But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that from me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee." Then went Ahab unto his house wayward and evil apaid, because of the words which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken unto him, saying, "I will not give to thee the inheritance of my fathers." And he laid him down upon his bed and turned away his face, and would eat no meat.


And a certain man drew a bow ignorantly and smote the king of Israel between the ribs of his harness. Wherefore the king said unto the driver of his chariot, "Turn thy hand and carry me out of the host, for I am hurt."


When Ahab heard those words, he rent his clothes and put sackcloth about his flesh and fasted, and lay in sack and went comfortless.


And he said, "It is not I that trouble Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and hast followed Baal.


And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one, by whom we may ask counsel of the LORD: one Micaiah the son of Imlah. But I hate him: for he never prophesieth good unto me, but evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."


And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one, by whom we may ask counsel of the LORD: one Micaiah the son of Imlah. But I hate him: for he never prophesieth good unto me, but evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."


"Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he so submitteth himself before me, I will not bring that evil in his days: but in his son's days, I will bring evil upon his house."


"Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he so submitteth himself before me, I will not bring that evil in his days: but in his son's days, I will bring evil upon his house."


"Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he so submitteth himself before me, I will not bring that evil in his days: but in his son's days, I will bring evil upon his house."


For it seemed him a light thing to walk in the sin of Jeroboam - But took Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians to wife, and went and served Baal and bowed unto him.



And while they washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria, the dogs licked up his blood, and harlots washed him according to the word of the LORD which he spake.


The thirty eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and reigned in Samaria twenty two years. And he displeased the LORD above all that were before him. For it seemed him a light thing to walk in the sin of Jeroboam - But took Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians to wife, and went and served Baal and bowed unto him. read more.
And he reared an altar to Baal in the house of Baal which he had made in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove, and proceeded further in angering the LORD God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel that were before him. In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. And it cost him Abiram his eldest son when he laid the foundation, and his youngest son when he set up the gates, agreeing unto the word of the LORD which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun. And Elijah the Tishbite, which was of the inhabiters of Gilead, said unto Ahab, "As truly as the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, save as I appoint it." And the word of God came to him, saying, "Get thee hence and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself in the brook Cherith that lieth before Jordan. Drink of the river for I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there." And he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that lieth before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh every morning and every evening, and he drank of the brook. And it chanced after a while that the brook dried up, because there fell no rain upon the earth. Then came the word of the LORD unto him, saying, "Up, and get thee to Zarephath a city of Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain thee." And he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, there was a widow there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a dish that I may drink." And as she went to fetch it, he cried to her and said, "Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand." And she answered, "As surely as the LORD thy God liveth, I have no bread, but even a handful of meal in a pitcher, and a little oil in a cruse. And see, I have gathered a few sticks for to go and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it and then die." And Elijah said unto her, "Fear not, but go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first of all, and bring it out to me, and afterward make for thee and thy son. For thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel, 'The pitcher of meal shall not be wasted, neither shall thy oil cruse be without oil, until the LORD have sent rain upon the earth.'" And she went and did as Elijah bade. And she and he and her house did eat a good space, and the pitcher of meal wasted not neither was the oil cruse without oil according to the word of the LORD which he spake through Elijah. And after these things, it happened that the son of the wife of the house fell sick. And his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. Then said she unto Elijah, "What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? Art thou come unto me, that my sin should be thought on and my son slain?" And Elijah said unto her, "Give me thy son." And he took him out of her lap and carried him up into a loft where he lay, and laid him upon his own bed, and called unto the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, hast thou been so evil unto the widow with whom I sojourn, that thou hast slain her son?" And he stretched himself upon the lad three times, and called unto the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, let the lad's soul come into him again." And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the lad came into him again and he revived. And Elijah took the boy and brought him down out of the chamber into the house and delivered him unto his mother and said, "See, thy son liveth." Then the wife said to Elijah, "Now I know that thou art God's man, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth." And at the last, the word of the LORD came to Elijah the third year, saying, "Go show thyself unto Ahab, that I may send rain upon the earth." And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab, for there was a great famishment in Samaria. Wherefore Ahab called Obadiah the governor of his house - which Obadiah feared God greatly, insomuch that when Jezebel destroyed the Prophets of the LORD, he took a hundred of the Prophets and hid them, fifty in one cave and fifty in another, and provided bread and water for them. And Ahab said unto Obadiah, "Walk through the land, unto all fountains of water and unto all brooks, to see whether any grass may be found that we may save the horses and the mules, that we destroy not the beasts." And they divided the land between them to walk through it. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another by himself. And it chanced, as Obadiah went in the way, that Elijah met him. And Obadiah knew him and fell on his face and said, "Art not thou my lord Elijah?" And he said unto him, "I am he. Go and tell Ahab that Elijah is here." And the other answered, "What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver me unto the hand of Ahab, to slay me? As surely as the LORD thy God liveth there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent, to seek thee. And when they said thou wast not there, he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, because he found thee not. And now thou sayest, 'Go and tell thy Lord Elijah is here.' And as soon as I am gone from thee, the spirit of the LORD shall carry thee away, whither I shall not know: and then when I have gone and told Ahab, and then he can not find thee, he shall slay me. And yet I thy servant have feared the LORD from my young age. Was it not told my lord what I did, when Jezebel slew the Prophets of the LORD? How I hid a hundred of the LORD's Prophets, fifty in one cave and as many in another, and provided them of bread and water? And yet now thou sayest, "Go show thy lord that Elijah is here, that he should slay me." Then Elijah said, "As truly as the LORD of Hosts liveth, before whom I stand: I will show myself unto him this day." And thereupon Obadiah went to Ahab and told him. And Ahab went against Elijah. And when Ahab saw Elijah, he said unto him, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" And he said, "It is not I that trouble Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and hast followed Baal. But now send and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel; and the Prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty; and the Prophets of the groves; four hundred, which eat of Jezebel's table. And Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the Prophets unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came unto all the people and said, "Why halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be very God, follow him: or if Baal be he, follow him." And the people answered him not one word. Then said Elijah unto the people, "I only remain of the LORD's Prophets, and Baal's Prophets are four hundredth and fifty. Let two oxen be given us, and let them choose the one and cut him in pieces and lay him on wood, and put no fire under. And I will dress the other and put him on wood, and will put no fire under. And call ye on the name of your God, and I will call on the name of the LORD. And then the God that answereth by fire, he is the very God." And all the people said, "It is well spoken." Then said Elijah unto the Prophets of Baal, "Choose you an ox and dress him first - for ye are many - and call on the name of your God, but put no fire under." And they took the ox that was given them and dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning to noon saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice nor answer. And they leapt about the altar that they had made. And at noon Elijah mocked them, and said, "Call loud, for he is a god: but he is talking, or occupied, or in the way, or haply he sleepeth, that he may awake!" And they cried loud and cut themselves, as their manner was, with knives and lances, till the blood flowed on them. And when midday was passed, they prophesied until it was time to offer. But there was neither voice nor answer nor any that regarded them. Then Elijah said to all the folk, "Come to me." And all the people came to him. And he mended the altar of the LORD that was broken. And he took twelve stones according to the number of the twelve tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came saying, "Israel shall be thy name." And with the stones he made an altar in the name of the LORD. And he made a gutter round about the altar, able to receive two pecks of corn. And he put the wood in order, and hewed the ox in pieces, and put him on the wood, and said, "Fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the sacrifice and on the wood." And he said, "Do so again." And they did so again. Then he said, "Do it the third time." And they did so the third time. And the water ran round about the altar, and the gutter was full of water also. And when offering time was come, Elijah the prophet went to and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and of Israel, let it be known this day, that thou art the God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I do all these things at thy commandment. Hear me, O LORD; hear me, that this people may know, that thou LORD, art the God, and that thou hast turned their hearts backward." And there fell fire from the LORD and consumed the sacrifice and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the gutter. And when all the people saw that, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God, the LORD, he is God." Then said Elijah unto them, "Lay hands on the Prophets of Baal - let not one of them escape." And when they had taken them, Elijah brought them down unto the brook Kishon, and slew them there. Then Elijah said unto Ahab, "Get thee up and eat and drink, for there is a sound of much rain." And when Ahab went up to eat and to drink, Elijah went up to the top of mount Carmel; and bowed himself to the earth, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, "Go up and look toward the sea." And he went up and looked, and said, "Here is nothing." And he said, "Go again seven times." And the seventh time he said, "Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like the palm of a man's hand." Then he said, "Go and say to Ahab, 'Put the horses in the chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.'" And within a little while, heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab, till they came to Jezreel. And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and altogether how he had slain the Prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, "So do God to me, and so thereto, except I make thy soul like one of theirs by tomorrow this time." When he saw that, he arose and went for his life, and came to Beersheba in Judah, and left his lad there. And he went a day's journey into the wilderness, and when he was come sat down under a Juniper tree, and desired for his soul, that he might die, and said, "It is now enough, O LORD, take my soul; for I am not better than my fathers." And as he lay and slept under the Juniper tree, behold, there came an Angel and touched him, and said unto him, "Up and eat." And he looked about him: and see, there was a loaf of broiled bread and a cruse of water at his head. And he ate and drank and laid him down again to sleep. And the Angel of the LORD came again the second time and touched him, and said, "Up and eat, for thou hast a long Journey to go." And he arose and did eat and drink and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights, unto Horeb the mount of God, and entered there into a cave and lodged there all night. And then the word of the LORD came to him, and said, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" And he answered, "I have been thorough angry for the LORD God of Hosts' sake. For the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, and have broken down thine altars and slain the Prophets with the sword, and I only am left, and they seek my soul to have it too." And he said, "Come out and stand before the LORD." And behold, the LORD went by: and a mighty strong wind that rent the mountains and brake the rocks, before him. But the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind came an earthquake. But the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, came fire. But the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire, came a small still voice. And when Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his mantle, and went out and stood in the mouth of the cave. And see, there came a voice unto him and said, "What doest thou here Elijah?" And he answered, "I was jealous for the LORD God of Hosts' sake: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant and have cast down thine altars and slain thy prophets with the sword, and I only am left, and they seek my soul to have it." Then the LORD said unto him, "Go and turn thy way to the wilderness of Damascus, and go and anoint Hazael to be king of Syria; and Jehu the son of Nimshi, anoint to be king over Israel; And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah anoint to be Prophet in thy room. And whoso escapeth the sword of Hazael, him shall Jehu slay: and if any man escape the sword of Jehu, him shall Elisha slay. And thereto I have left me seven thousand in Israel, of which never man bowed his knees unto Baal nor kissed him with his mouth." And he departed thence and found Elisha the son of Shaphat plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelve. And Elijah went to him and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow thee." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to thee?" And he went back again from after him, and took a yoke of oxen and slew them, and dressed the flesh with the instruments of the oxen and gave it the people, and they did eat. And then he arose and went after Elijah and ministered unto him. And Benhadad, king of Syria, gathered all his host together - and thirty two kings with him, with horse and chariot - and went up and besieged Samaria and warred against it. And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, "Thus sayeth Benhadad, 'Thy silver and thy gold is mine, and the best of thy wives, and the best of thy children be mine.'" And the king of Israel answered, and said, "My lord king, according to thy saying, I am thine with all I have." And the messengers came again to Ahab and said, "Thus sayeth Benhadad, 'I have therefore sent unto thee, saying: deliver me then thy silver and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children. Or else I will send my servants unto thee by tomorrow this time: and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants, which shall take all that is glorious in thine eyes, and bring it away with them.'" Then the king of Israel sent for the elders of the land and said, "Take heed I pray you and see, how this fellow goeth about mischief. For he sent unto me, for my wives and my children, and my silver and my gold: and I denied him nothing of it." And all the elders of Israel and all the people said, "Hearken not to him nor consent." Whereupon he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, "Tell my lord the king, all that he sent for the first time, that I will do: but this request I may not do." And the messengers departed and brought him word. Then Benhadad sent unto him and said, "Thus do the gods to me and so thereto, if the dust of Samaria be enough for all the people that follow me, that every man may have a handful." And the king of Israel answered and said, "Tell him, 'Let not him that putteth on his harness boast himself, as he putteth it off.'" And when Benhadad heard that tidings, as he and the kings were drinking in the pavilions, he said unto his servants, "Put ye in array." And they put themselves in array against the city. And behold there came a Prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, and said to him, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'Seest thou all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver them into thine hand this day, that thou mayest know that I am the LORD.'" And Ahab said, "By whom?" And he said, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'Even by the men of the governors of the shires.'" And Ahab said, "Who shall join battle?" And he said, "Thou." Then he numbered the men of the governors of the shires: and they were two hundred and thirty two. And after them he numbered all the people, and all the children of Israel were seven thousand. And they went out at noon when Benhadad was a drinking strong drink in the pavilions with the thirty two kings that holp him. And the men of the sheriffs of the shires went out first. And Benhadad sent out, and they showed him, saying, "There came men out of Samaria." And he said, "If they come out for peace, take them alive. And also if they come for war, take them yet alive." And when those men of the sheriffs of the shires were come out of the city and the Host after them, they slew every one of them his man. And the Syrians fled, and Israel followed after them. And Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with his horsemen. And the king of Israel went out and smote horse and chariot, and slew a great slaughter of the Syrians. Then there came a Prophet to the king of Israel, and said to him, "Go forth and play the man: be wise and take heed what thou doest. For when the year is about, the king of Syria will come against thee again." Then said the servants of the kings of Syria to him, "The gods of the hills are their gods, and therefore they had the better of us. But let us fight with them in the plain, and for what ye will, we shall have the better of them. And this do: take the kings away every man out of his place, and put dukes in their rooms. And do thou number thee a host, like the host that thou hast lost, and horse for horse and chariot for chariot, and let us fight with them in the plain; and for a wager, we get the better of them." And the king hearkened unto their voice and did even so. And as soon as the year was about, Benhadad numbered the Syrians and went up to Aphek to war with Israel. And the children of Israel were numbered and provided of victuals, and went against them, and pitched before them like two little flocks of kids: but the Syrians filled the country. Then there came a man of God and said unto the king of Israel, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'Because the Syrians say that the LORD is but a God of the hills, and not God of the valleys too: therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand that ye may know that I am the LORD.'" And they pitched one over against the other seven days, and the seventh day joined battle. And the children of Israel slew of the Syrians, a hundred thousand footmen in one day. And the rest fled to Aphek into the city. And there fell a wall upon twenty seven thousand of them that were left. And Benhadad fled and went into the city, from chamber to chamber. Then said his servants unto him, "Behold, we have heard say that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Let us put sack cloth about our Loins and ropes about our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: haply he will save thy life." And they girded sack cloth about their loins and put ropes about their heads, and went out to the king of Israel and said, "Thy servant Benhadad sayeth, 'I pray thee let me live.'" And he said, "Is he yet alive? He is my brother." And they took the word for good luck and hastily caught it out of his mouth, and said, "Yea, thy brother Benhadad." Then he said, "Go and bring him." And Benhadad came out to him, and the other took him up into the chariot. And Benhadad said, "The cities which my father took from thy father, I will restore again. And thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria. And I will make a covenant with thee and send thee away." And so he made a covenant with him and sent him away. Then a certain man of the children of the Prophets said unto his fellow, with the word of the LORD, "Smite me, I pray thee." And the man would not smite him. And he said, "Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD: behold, as soon as thou art departed from me a lion shall slay thee." And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him and slew him. Then he found another man and said to him, "Smite me, I pray thee." And the man gave him a good stripe and wounded him. And the Prophet went forth and waited for the king by the way and altered his face with ashes. And when the king came by, he cried unto him and said, "Thy servant went out in the midst of the battle. And see, there was one began to flee. And there came a man to me and said, 'Keep this man. And if he be missed thy life shall go for his, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.' And as thy servant had here and there to do, he was gone." And the king of Israel said unto him, "Even so shall thy judgment be, as thou hast defined it thyself." And he hasted and took the ashes away from his eyes: and the king of Israel knew him, that he was of the Prophets. And he said unto the king, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'Because thou hast let go a man that ought to have died, thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his." And the king of Israel went to his house wayward and heavy, and entered into Samaria. After these things were done, it chanced that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel hard by the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, "Let me have thy vineyard, to make me a garden of herbs thereof, because it lieth so nigh my house: and I will give thee a better vineyard for it: or if it please thee I will give thee, the worth of it in silver." But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that from me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee." Then went Ahab unto his house wayward and evil apaid, because of the words which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken unto him, saying, "I will not give to thee the inheritance of my fathers." And he laid him down upon his bed and turned away his face, and would eat no meat. And then Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, "Why art thou so froward, that thou eatest no meat?" And he said unto her, "I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, 'Give me thy vineyard for silver, or else if thou wilt, I will give thee another vineyard for it.' And he said, 'I will not give thee my vineyard.'" Then said Jezebel his wife unto him, "What a goodly kingdom were thou able to make in Israel? Up, and eat meat and set thine heart at rest, for I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." And she wrote a letter in Ahab's name and sealed it with his seal, and sent it unto the elders and chief men of his city that dwelt where Naboth dwelt. And she wrote in the letter, saying, "Proclaim fasting and set Naboth on high among the people, and set two unthrifties before him, and let them testify against him, saying, 'Thou didst curse both God and the king.' And upon that carry him out and stone him to death." And the elders and nobles of his city, which dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letter which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed fasting, and set Naboth on high among the people, and there came in two unthrifty persons and sat before him. And the two unthrifty persons witnessed against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth did curse God and the king." And upon that they carried him out of the city and stoned him with stones to death. And then they sent to Jezebel saying, "Naboth is stoned to death." And when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Up, and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth, the Jezreelite, which he denied to give thee for silver, for Naboth is not alive, but dead." And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead. He stood up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. And the word of the LORD came unto Elijah the Tishbite, saying, "Up, and go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth: for he is gone down thither, to take possession of it. And say unto him, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: thou hast killed and thereto gotten possession.' And say moreover unto him, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: in the place where dogs lapped the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lap even thy blood also.'" And Ahab said to Elijah, "Hast thou found me thine enemy at any time?" And he said, "Yea, because thou art utterly given to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will make clean riddance of thee, and will destroy unto Ahab all that pisseth against the wall, and if ought be prisoned or forsaken in Israel: and will make thine house, like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the angering wherewith thou hast angered and made Israel sin." And thereto against Jezebel came the word of the LORD, saying, "Dogs shall eat Jezebel, under the walls of Jezreel. And he that dieth of Ahab in the town, him shall dogs eat: and he that dieth in the fields, him shall the fowls of the air eat." For there was none at all like Ahab, that was so utterly given to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, and that because Jezebel his wife pricked him forward. And therefore he did exceeding abominably, in following Idols, in all things like as did the Amorites which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. When Ahab heard those words, he rent his clothes and put sackcloth about his flesh and fasted, and lay in sack and went comfortless. And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, "Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he so submitteth himself before me, I will not bring that evil in his days: but in his son's days, I will bring evil upon his house." And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. And the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah came to the king of Israel. Then said the king of Israel unto his servants, "Know ye not that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we sit still and take it not out of the hands of the king of Syria?" And he said unto Jehoshaphat, "Wilt thou go with me to battle, to Ramoth in Gilead?" And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, "I will be as thou art, and my people shall be as thine, and my horses as thine." And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, "Ask counsel, I pray thee, of the LORD today." And then the king of Israel gathered of the Prophets together, upon a four hundred men, and said unto them, "Shall I go to Ramoth in Gilead to battle, or be still?" And they said, "Go: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hands of the king." And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there never a Prophet of the LORD's here, more, that we might enquire of him?" And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one, by whom we may ask counsel of the LORD: one Micaiah the son of Imlah. But I hate him: for he never prophesieth good unto me, but evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so." Then the king of Israel called unto one of his chamberlains and said, "Fetch Micaiah the son of Imlah hither at once." And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat either in his seat and their apparel on them, in a void place beside the entering of the gate of Samaria, and all the Prophets prophesying before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron and said, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'With these horns thou shalt winnow the Syrians until thou have made an end of them." And all the Prophets prophesied even so, saying, "Go to Ramoth in Gilead and prosper, for the LORD shall deliver it into the hands of the king." And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah, said unto him, "See, the words of the Prophets speak good unto the king with one voice: let thy words, I pray thee, be like the words of one of them, and speak that is good." And Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD liveth, what the LORD putteth in my mouth, that will I speak." And when he was come to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to battle, or shall we be still?" And he said unto him, "Go and prosper, the LORD deliver it unto the hands of the king." And the king said unto him, "How often shall I adjure thee, that thou tell me nothing but truth, in the name of the LORD?" Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have no shepherds. And the LORD said, 'Those have no master; let them return, every man to his house in peace.'" Then said the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell thee, that he would prophesy no good unto me, but evil?" And Micaiah said, "Hear therefore the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sit on his seat and all his company of heaven standing about him, on his righthand and on his left. And the LORD said, 'Who shall deceive Ahab that he may go and be slain at Ramoth in Gilead?' And one said on this manner and another on that. Then came forth a spirit and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will deceive him.' And the LORD said, 'Wherewith?' And he said, 'I will go out and be a false spirit in the mouths of all Prophets.' And the LORD said, 'Thou shalt deceive him and also prevail, go forth and do even so.' Now therefore behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy Prophets: when in very deed the LORD hath spoken evil toward thee." Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "How is the spirit of the LORD gone from me, to speak in thee?" And Micaiah said, "Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go from chamber to chamber to hide thee." And the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and carry him back again into Amon the governor of the city, and unto Joab the king's son, and say, 'Thus sayeth the king. Put ye this fellow in the prison house and feed him with bread and water straightly, until I return in peace.'" Then Micaiah said, "If thou come safe again, the LORD hath not spoken in me." And he said moreover, "Hearken to the people every one of you." And so the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth in Gilead. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Change thee and get thee to war: but put on thine own apparel." And the king of Israel changed himself, and went to battle also. But the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, of which he had thirty two, saying, "Fight neither with small nor great, save with the king of Israel only." And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they thought he had been the king of Israel, and therefore turned to him to fight. But Jehoshaphat cried out. And when the captains of the chariots saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from him. And a certain man drew a bow ignorantly and smote the king of Israel between the ribs of his harness. Wherefore the king said unto the driver of his chariot, "Turn thy hand and carry me out of the host, for I am hurt." And the battle increased that day, and the king continued in his chariot before the Syrians, and died at evening. And the blood ran out of the wound into the bottom of the chariot. And there went a proclamation throughout the host after the sun was down, saying, "Every man to his city and to his own country." And when the king of Israel was dead, they came to Samaria and buried him there. And while they washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria, the dogs licked up his blood, and harlots washed him according to the word of the LORD which he spake. The rest of the deeds of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and the cities that he built, are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. And when Ahab was laid to rest with his fathers, Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.


And say unto him, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: thou hast killed and thereto gotten possession.' And say moreover unto him, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: in the place where dogs lapped the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lap even thy blood also.'"



When Ahab heard those words, he rent his clothes and put sackcloth about his flesh and fasted, and lay in sack and went comfortless. And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, "Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he so submitteth himself before me, I will not bring that evil in his days: but in his son's days, I will bring evil upon his house."


When Ahab heard those words, he rent his clothes and put sackcloth about his flesh and fasted, and lay in sack and went comfortless.


And the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and carry him back again into Amon the governor of the city, and unto Joab the king's son,


And when the king came by, he cried unto him and said, "Thy servant went out in the midst of the battle. And see, there was one began to flee. And there came a man to me and said, 'Keep this man. And if he be missed thy life shall go for his, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.' And as thy servant had here and there to do, he was gone." And the king of Israel said unto him, "Even so shall thy judgment be, as thou hast defined it thyself." And he hasted and took the ashes away from his eyes: and the king of Israel knew him, that he was of the Prophets. read more.
And he said unto the king, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'Because thou hast let go a man that ought to have died, thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his."


And Benhadad said, "The cities which my father took from thy father, I will restore again. And thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria. And I will make a covenant with thee and send thee away." And so he made a covenant with him and sent him away.

And the children of Israel were numbered and provided of victuals, and went against them, and pitched before them like two little flocks of kids: but the Syrians filled the country.


References

Hastings

Easton

American

Fausets

Morish

Smith

Watsons