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I Kings 22:39

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As for the rest of the acts of Ahab, along with all his accomplishments and the ivory palace and all the cities he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 39

This chapter finishes the history of Ahab's reign. It was promised in the close of the foregoing chapter that the ruin of his house should not come in his days, but his days were soon at an end. His war with the Syrians at Ramoth-Gilead is that which we have an account of in this chapter. I. His preparations for that war. He consulted, 1. His privy-council (Kg1 22:1-3). 2. Jehoshaphat (Kg1 22:4). 3. His prophets. (1.) His own, who encouraged him to go on this expedition (Kg1 22:5, Kg1 22:6), Zedekiah particularly (Kg1 22:11, Kg1 22:12). (2.) A prophet of the Lord, Micaiah, who was desired to come by Jehoshaphat (Kg1 22:7, Kg1 22:8), sent for (Kg1 22:9, Kg1 22:10-13, Kg1 22:14), upbraided Ahab with his confidence in the false prophets (Kg1 22:15), but foretold his fall in this expedition (Kg1 22:16-18), and gave him an account how he came to be thus imposed upon by his prophets (Kg1 22:19-23). He is abused by Zedekiah (Kg1 22:24, Kg1 22:25), and imprisoned by Ahab (Kg1 22:26-28). II. The battle itself, in which, 1. Jehoshaphat is exposed. But, 2. Ahab is slain (Kg1 22:29-40). In the close of the chapter we have a short account, (1.) Of the good reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah (Kg1 22:41-50). (2.) Of the wicked reign of Ahaziah king of Israel (Kg1 22:51-53).

Open source ↗
Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 39

22:39-40 Excavations at Samaria have disclosed Ahab’s palace and a nearby pool. The description of the palace as ivory may arise from the ivory-covered furnishings and wall panels. Gleaming white limestone covering the outside of the building also added to the palace’s ivory-like luster.

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Amos 3:15rank 5

I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house; the houses of ivory will also perish, and the great houses will come to an end,” declares the LORD.

Amos 6:4rank 2

You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.

Ezekiel 27:6rank 2

Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; of wood from the coasts of Cyprus they made your deck, inlaid with ivory.

Ezekiel 27:15rank 2

The men of Dedan were your clients; many coastlands were your market; they paid you with ivory tusks and ebony.

I Kings 16:20rank 2

As for the rest of the acts of Zimri and the treason he committed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

I Kings 10:22rank 2

For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

I Kings 15:23rank 2

Now the rest of the acts of Asa, along with all his might, all his accomplishments, and the cities he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? In his old age, however, he became diseased in his feet.

I Kings 10:18rank 2

Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold.

I Kings 15:31rank 2

As for the rest of the acts of Nadab, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

I Kings 14:19rank 2

As for the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he waged war and how he reigned, they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

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