Discovery Box1 Kings 15:24
Context15:24 Asa passed away 1 and was buried with his ancestors in the city of his ancestor David. His son Jehoshaphat replaced him as king.
1 Kings 22:2-50
Context22:2 In the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah came down to visit 2 the king of Israel. 22:3 The king of Israel said to his servants, “Surely you recognize that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us, though we are hesitant to reclaim it from the king of Syria.” 3 22:4 Then he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to attack Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I will support you; my army and horses are at your disposal.” 4 22:5 Then Jehoshaphat added, 5 “First seek an oracle from the Lord.” 6 22:6 So the king of Israel assembled about four hundred prophets and asked them, “Should I attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” 7 They said, “Attack! The sovereign one 8 will hand it over to the king.” 22:7 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord still here, that we may ask him?” 22:8 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can seek the Lord’s will. 9 But I despise 10 him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. 11 Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say such things.” 22:9 The king of Israel summoned an official and said, “Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah.”
22:10 Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, 12 dressed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. 13 All the prophets were prophesying before them. 22:11 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the Lord says, ‘With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed.’” 22:12 All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Attack Ramoth Gilead! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king.” 22:13 Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the prophets are in complete agreement that the king will succeed. 14 Your words must agree with theirs; you must predict success.” 15 22:14 But Micaiah said, “As certainly as the Lord lives, I will say what the Lord tells me to say.”
22:15 When he came before the king, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” He answered him, “Attack! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king.” 16 22:16 The king said to him, “How many times must I make you solemnly promise in 17 the name of the Lord to tell me only the truth?” 22:17 Micaiah 18 said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. Then the Lord said, ‘They have no master. They should go home in peace.’” 22:18 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster?” 22:19 Micaiah 19 said, “That being the case, hear the word of the Lord. I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, with all the heavenly assembly standing on his right and on his left. 22:20 The Lord said, ‘Who will deceive Ahab, so he will attack Ramoth Gilead and die 20 there?’ One said this and another that. 22:21 Then a spirit 21 stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, ‘I will deceive him.’ The Lord asked him, ‘How?’ 22:22 He replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ The Lord 22 said, ‘Deceive and overpower him. 23 Go out and do as you have proposed.’ 22:23 So now, look, the Lord has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours; but the Lord has decreed disaster for you.” 22:24 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said, “Which way did the Lord’s spirit go when he went from me to speak to you?” 22:25 Micaiah replied, “Look, you will see in the day when you go into an inner room to hide.” 22:26 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the city official and Joash the king’s son. 22:27 Say, ‘This is what the king says, “Put this man in prison. Give him only a little bread and water 24 until I safely return.”’” 25 22:28 Micaiah said, “If you really do safely return, then the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take note, 26 all you people.”
22:29 The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah attacked Ramoth Gilead. 22:30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and then enter 27 into the battle; but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and then entered into the battle. 22:31 Now the king of Syria had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight common soldiers or high-ranking officers; 28 fight only the king of Israel.” 22:32 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “He must be the king of Israel.” So they turned and attacked him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. 22:33 When the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they turned away from him. 22:34 Now an archer shot an arrow at random, 29 and it struck the king of Israel between the plates of his armor. The king 30 ordered his charioteer, “Turn around and take me from the battle line, 31 because I’m wounded.” 22:35 While the battle raged throughout the day, the king stood propped up in his chariot opposite the Syrians. He died in the evening; the blood from the wound ran down into the bottom of the chariot. 22:36 As the sun was setting, a cry went through the camp, “Each one should return to his city and to his homeland.” 22:37 So the king died and was taken to Samaria, where they buried him. 32 22:38 They washed off the chariot at the pool of Samaria (this was where the prostitutes bathed); 33 dogs licked his blood, just as the Lord had said would happen. 34
22:39 The rest of the events of Ahab’s reign, including a record of his accomplishments and how he built a luxurious palace and various cities, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel. 35 22:40 Ahab passed away. 36 His son Ahaziah replaced him as king.
22:41 In the fourth year of King Ahab’s reign over Israel, Asa’s son Jehoshaphat became king over Judah. 22:42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king and he reigned for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. 37 His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. 22:43 He followed in his father Asa’s footsteps and was careful to do what the Lord approved. 38 (22:44) 39 However, the high places were not eliminated; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense on the high places. 22:44 (22:45) Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.
22:45 The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, including his successes and military exploits, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Judah. 40 22:46 He removed from the land any male cultic prostitutes who had managed to survive the reign of his father Asa. 41 22:47 There was no king in Edom at this time; a governor ruled. 22:48 Jehoshaphat built a fleet of large merchant ships 42 to travel to Ophir for gold, but they never made the voyage because they were shipwrecked in Ezion Geber. 22:49 Then Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my sailors join yours in the fleet,” 43 but Jehoshaphat refused.
22:50 Jehoshaphat passed away 44 and was buried with his ancestors in the city of his ancestor 45 David. His son Jehoram replaced him as king.
1 Kings 22:2
Context22:2 In the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah came down to visit 46 the king of Israel.
1 Kings 3:1-2
Context3:1 Solomon made an alliance by marriage with Pharaoh, king of Egypt; he married Pharaoh’s daughter. He brought her to the City of David 47 until he could finish building his residence and the temple of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 48 3:2 Now the people were offering sacrifices at the high places, 49 because in those days a temple had not yet been built to honor the Lord. 50
1 Kings 17:1--20:37
Context17:1 Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As certainly as the Lord God of Israel lives (whom I serve), 51 there will be no dew or rain in the years ahead unless I give the command.” 52 17:2 The Lord told him: 53 17:3 “Leave here and travel eastward. Hide out in the Kerith Valley near the Jordan. 17:4 Drink from the stream; I have already told 54 the ravens to bring you food 55 there.” 17:5 So he did 56 as the Lord told him; he went and lived in the Kerith Valley near the Jordan. 17:6 The ravens would bring him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he would drink from the stream.
17:7 After a while, 57 the stream dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 17:8 The Lord told him, 58 17:9 “Get up, go to Zarephath in Sidonian territory, and live there. I have already told 59 a widow who lives there to provide for you.” 17:10 So he got up and went to Zarephath. When he went through the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. He called out to her, “Please give me a cup 60 of water, so I can take a drink.” 17:11 As she went to get it, he called out to her, “Please bring me a piece of bread.” 61 17:12 She said, “As certainly as the Lord your God lives, I have no food, except for a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. Right now I am gathering a couple of sticks for a fire. Then I’m going home to make one final meal for my son and myself. After we have eaten that, we will die of starvation.” 62 17:13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go and do as you planned. 63 But first make a small cake for me and bring it to me; then make something for yourself and your son. 17:14 For this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The jar of flour will not be empty and the jug of oil will not run out until the day the Lord makes it rain on the surface of the ground.’” 17:15 She went and did as Elijah told her; there was always enough food for Elijah and for her and her family. 64 17:16 The jar of flour was never empty and the jug of oil never ran out, just as the Lord had promised 65 through Elijah.
17:17 After this 66 the son of the woman who owned the house got sick. His illness was so severe he could no longer breathe. 17:18 She asked Elijah, “Why, prophet, have you come 67 to me to confront me with 68 my sin and kill my son?” 17:19 He said to her, “Hand me your son.” He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him down on his bed. 17:20 Then he called out to the Lord, “O Lord, my God, are you also bringing disaster on this widow I am staying with by killing her son?” 17:21 He stretched out over the boy three times and called out to the Lord, “O Lord, my God, please let this boy’s breath return to him.” 17:22 The Lord answered Elijah’s prayer; the boy’s breath returned to him and he lived. 17:23 Elijah took the boy, brought him down from the upper room to the house, and handed him to his mother. Elijah then said, “See, your son is alive!” 17:24 The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a prophet and that the Lord really does speak through you.” 69
18:1 Some time later, in the third year of the famine, the Lord told Elijah, 70 “Go, make an appearance before Ahab, so I may send rain on the surface of the ground.” 18:2 So Elijah went to make an appearance before Ahab.
Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 71 18:3 So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who supervised the palace. (Now Obadiah was a very loyal follower of the Lord. 72 18:4 When Jezebel was killing 73 the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them in two caves in two groups of fifty. He also brought them food and water.) 18:5 Ahab told Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grazing areas 74 so we can keep the horses and mules alive and not have to kill 75 some of the animals.” 18:6 They divided up the land between them; Ahab went 76 one way and Obadiah went the other.
18:7 As Obadiah was traveling along, Elijah met him. 77 When he recognized him, he fell facedown to the ground and said, “Is it really you, my master, Elijah?” 18:8 He replied, “Yes, 78 go and say to your master, ‘Elijah is back.’” 79 18:9 Obadiah 80 said, “What sin have I committed that you are ready to hand your servant over to Ahab for execution? 81 18:10 As certainly as the Lord your God lives, my master has sent to every nation and kingdom in an effort to find you. When they say, ‘He’s not here,’ he makes them 82 swear an oath that they could not find you. 18:11 Now you say, ‘Go and say to your master, “Elijah is back.”’ 83 18:12 But when I leave you, the Lord’s spirit will carry you away so I can’t find you. 84 If I go tell Ahab I’ve seen you, he won’t be able to find you and he will kill me. 85 That would not be fair, 86 because your servant has been a loyal follower of 87 the Lord from my youth. 18:13 Certainly my master is aware of what I did 88 when Jezebel was killing the Lord’s prophets. I hid one hundred of the Lord’s prophets in two caves in two groups of fifty and I brought them food and water. 18:14 Now you say, ‘Go and say to your master, “Elijah is back,”’ 89 but he will kill me.” 18:15 But Elijah said, “As certainly as the Lord who rules over all 90 lives (whom I serve), 91 I will make an appearance before him today.”
18:16 When Obadiah went and informed Ahab, the king went to meet Elijah. 92 18:17 When Ahab saw Elijah, he 93 said to him, “Is it really you, the one who brings disaster 94 on Israel?” 18:18 Elijah 95 replied, “I have not brought disaster 96 on Israel. But you and your father’s dynasty have, by abandoning the Lord’s commandments and following the Baals. 18:19 Now send out messengers 97 and assemble all Israel before me at Mount Carmel, as well as the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah whom Jezebel supports. 98
18:20 Ahab sent messengers to all the Israelites and had the prophets assemble at Mount Carmel. 18:21 Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long are you going to be paralyzed by indecision? 99 If the Lord is the true God, 100 then follow him, but if Baal is, follow him!” But the people did not say a word. 18:22 Elijah said to them: 101 “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but there are 450 prophets of Baal. 18:23 Let them bring us two bulls. Let them choose one of the bulls for themselves, cut it up into pieces, and place it on the wood. But they must not set it on fire. I will do the same to the other bull and place it on the wood. But I will not set it on fire. 18:24 Then you 102 will invoke the name of your god, and I will invoke the name of the Lord. The god who responds with fire will demonstrate that he is the true God.” 103 All the people responded, “This will be a fair test.” 104
18:25 Elijah told the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls for yourselves and go first, for you are the majority. Invoke the name of your god, but do not light a fire.” 105 18:26 So they took a bull, as he had suggested, 106 and prepared it. They invoked the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us.” But there was no sound and no answer. They jumped 107 around on the altar they had made. 108 18:27 At noon Elijah mocked them, “Yell louder! After all, he is a god; he may be deep in thought, or perhaps he stepped out for a moment or has taken a trip. Perhaps he is sleeping and needs to be awakened.” 109 18:28 So they yelled louder and, in accordance with their prescribed ritual, 110 mutilated themselves with swords and spears until their bodies were covered with blood. 111 18:29 Throughout the afternoon they were in an ecstatic frenzy, 112 but there was no sound, no answer, and no response. 113
18:30 Elijah then told all the people, “Approach me.” So all the people approached him. He repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down. 114 18:31 Then Elijah took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of tribes that descended from Jacob, to whom the Lord had said, “Israel will be your new 115 name.” 116 18:32 With the stones he constructed an altar for the Lord. 117 Around the altar he made a trench large enough to contain two seahs 118 of seed. 18:33 He arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. 18:34 Then he said, “Fill four water jars and pour the water on the offering and the wood.” When they had done so, 119 he said, “Do it again.” So they did it again. Then he said, “Do it a third time.” So they did it a third time. 18:35 The water flowed down all sides of the altar and filled the trench. 18:36 When it was time for the evening offering, 120 Elijah the prophet approached the altar 121 and prayed: “O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, prove 122 today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 18:37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are the true God 123 and that you are winning back their allegiance.” 124 18:38 Then fire from the Lord fell from the sky. 125 It consumed the offering, the wood, the stones, and the dirt, and licked up the water in the trench. 18:39 When all the people saw this, they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground and said, “The Lord is the true God! 126 The Lord is the true God!” 18:40 Elijah told them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Don’t let even one of them escape!” So they seized them, and Elijah led them down to the Kishon Valley and executed 127 them there.
18:41 Then Elijah told Ahab, “Go on up and eat and drink, for the sound of a heavy rainstorm can be heard.” 128 18:42 So Ahab went on up to eat and drink, while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel. He bent down toward the ground and put his face between his knees. 18:43 He told his servant, “Go on up and look in the direction of the sea.” So he went on up, looked, and reported, “There is nothing.” 129 Seven times Elijah sent him to look. 130 18:44 The seventh time the servant 131 said, “Look, a small cloud, the size of the palm of a man’s hand, is rising up from the sea.” Elijah 132 then said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up the chariots and go down, so that the rain won’t overtake you.’” 133 18:45 Meanwhile the sky was covered with dark clouds, the wind blew, and there was a heavy rainstorm. Ahab rode toward 134 Jezreel. 18:46 Now the Lord energized Elijah with power; 135 he tucked his robe into his belt 136 and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
19:1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, including a detailed account of how he killed all the prophets with the sword. 19:2 Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah with this warning, 137 “May the gods judge me severely 138 if by this time tomorrow I do not take your life as you did theirs!” 139
19:3 Elijah was afraid, 140 so he got up and fled for his life to Beer Sheba in Judah. He left his servant there, 19:4 while he went a day’s journey into the desert. He went and sat down under a shrub 141 and asked the Lord to take his life: 142 “I’ve had enough! Now, O Lord, take my life. After all, I’m no better than my ancestors.” 143 19:5 He stretched out 144 and fell asleep under the shrub. All of a sudden an angelic messenger 145 touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 19:6 He looked and right there by his head was a cake baking on hot coals and a jug of water. He ate and drank and then slept some more. 146 19:7 The Lord’s angelic messenger came back again, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, for otherwise you won’t be able to make the journey.” 147 19:8 So he got up and ate and drank. That meal gave him the strength to travel forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
19:9 He went into a cave there and spent the night. All of a sudden the Lord spoke to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 19:10 He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal 148 to the Lord, the sovereign God, 149 even though the Israelites have abandoned the agreement they made with you, 150 torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.” 151 19:11 The Lord 152 said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. Look, the Lord is ready to pass by.”
A very powerful wind went before the Lord, digging into the mountain and causing landslides, 153 but the Lord was not in the wind. After the windstorm there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 19:12 After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a soft whisper. 154 19:13 When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. All of a sudden 155 a voice asked him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 19:14 He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal 156 to the Lord, the sovereign God, 157 even though the Israelites have abandoned the agreement they made with you, 158 torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.” 159 19:15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came and then head for the Desert of Damascus. Go and anoint Hazael king over Syria. 19:16 You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet. 19:17 Jehu will kill anyone who escapes Hazael’s sword, and Elisha will kill anyone who escapes Jehu’s sword. 19:18 I still have left in Israel seven thousand followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him.” 160
19:19 Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen; he was near the twelfth pair. Elijah passed by him and threw his robe over him. 19:20 He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, then I will follow you.” Elijah 161 said to him, “Go back! Indeed, what have I done to you?” 19:21 Elisha 162 went back and took his pair of oxen and slaughtered them. He cooked the meat over a fire that he made by burning the harness and yoke. 163 He gave the people meat and they ate. Then he got up and followed Elijah and became his assistant.
20:1 Now King Ben Hadad of Syria assembled all his army, along with thirty-two other kings with their horses and chariots. He marched against Samaria 164 and besieged and attacked it. 165 20:2 He sent messengers to King Ahab of Israel, who was in the city. 166 20:3 He said to him, “This is what Ben Hadad says, ‘Your silver and your gold are mine, as well as the best of your wives and sons.’” 20:4 The king of Israel replied, “It is just as you say, my master, O king. I and all I own belong to you.”
20:5 The messengers came again and said, “This is what Ben Hadad says, ‘I sent this message to you, “You must give me your silver, gold, wives, and sons.” 20:6 But now at this time tomorrow I will send my servants to you and they will search through your palace and your servants’ houses. They will carry away all your valuables.” 167 20:7 The king of Israel summoned all the leaders 168 of the land and said, “Notice how this man is looking for trouble. 169 Indeed, he demanded my wives, sons, silver, and gold, and I did not resist him.” 20:8 All the leaders and people said to him, “Do not give in or agree to his demands.” 170 20:9 So he said to the messengers of Ben Hadad, “Say this to my master, the king, ‘I will give you everything you demanded at first from your servant, but I am unable to agree to this latest demand.’” 171 So the messengers went back and gave their report.
20:10 Ben Hadad sent another message to him, “May the gods judge me severely 172 if there is enough dirt left in Samaria for my soldiers to scoop up in their hands.” 173 20:11 The king of Israel replied, “Tell him the one who puts on his battle gear should not boast like one who is taking it off.” 174 20:12 When Ben Hadad received this reply, 175 he and the other kings were drinking in their quarters. 176 He ordered his servants, “Get ready to attack!” So they got ready to attack the city.
20:13 Now a prophet visited King Ahab of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says, ‘Do you see this huge army? 177 Look, I am going to hand it over to you this very day. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 20:14 Ahab asked, “By whom will this be accomplished?” 178 He answered, “This is what the Lord says, ‘By the servants of the district governors.’” Ahab 179 asked, “Who will launch the attack?” He answered, “You will.”
20:15 So Ahab 180 assembled the 232 servants of the district governors. After that he assembled all the Israelite army, numbering 7,000. 181 20:16 They marched out at noon, while Ben Hadad and the thirty-two kings allied with him were drinking heavily 182 in their quarters. 183 20:17 The servants of the district governors led the march. When Ben Hadad sent messengers, they reported back to him, “Men are marching out of Samaria.” 184 20:18 He ordered, “Whether they come in peace or to do battle, take them alive.” 185 20:19 They marched out of the city with the servants of the district governors in the lead and the army behind them. 20:20 Each one struck down an enemy soldier; 186 the Syrians fled and Israel chased them. King Ben Hadad of Syria escaped on horseback with some horsemen. 20:21 Then the king of Israel marched out and struck down the horses and chariots; he thoroughly defeated 187 Syria.
20:22 The prophet 188 visited the king of Israel and instructed him, “Go, fortify your defenses. 189 Determine 190 what you must do, for in the spring 191 the king of Syria will attack 192 you.” 20:23 Now the advisers 193 of the king of Syria said to him: “Their God is a god of the mountains. That’s why they overpowered us. But if we fight them in the plains, we will certainly overpower them. 20:24 So do this: Dismiss the kings from their command, and replace them with military commanders. 20:25 Muster an army like the one you lost, with the same number of horses and chariots. 194 Then we will fight them in the plains; we will certainly overpower them.” He approved their plan and did as they advised. 195
20:26 In the spring 196 Ben Hadad mustered the Syrian army 197 and marched to Aphek to fight Israel. 198 20:27 When the Israelites had mustered and had received their supplies, they marched out to face them in battle. When the Israelites deployed opposite them, they were like two small flocks 199 of goats, but the Syrians filled the land. 20:28 The prophet 200 visited the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Syrians said, “The Lord is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys,” I will hand over to you this entire huge army. 201 Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
20:29 The armies were deployed opposite each other for seven days. On the seventh day the battle began, and the Israelites killed 100,000 Syrian foot soldiers in one day. 20:30 The remaining 27,000 ran to Aphek and went into the city, but the wall fell on them. 202 Now Ben Hadad ran into the city and hid in an inner room. 203 20:31 His advisers 204 said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind. 205 Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads 206 and surrender 207 to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives.” 20:32 So they put sackcloth around their waists and ropes on their heads and went to the king of Israel. They said, “Your servant 208 Ben Hadad says, ‘Please let me live!’” Ahab 209 replied, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” 210 20:33 The men took this as a good omen and quickly accepted his offer, saying, “Ben Hadad is your brother.” Ahab 211 then said, “Go, get him.” So Ben Hadad came out to him, and Ahab pulled him up into his chariot. 20:34 Ben Hadad 212 said, “I will return the cities my father took from your father. You may set up markets 213 in Damascus, just as my father did in Samaria.” 214 Ahab then said, “I want to make a treaty with you before I dismiss you.” 215 So he made a treaty with him and then dismissed him.
20:35 One of the members of the prophetic guild, speaking with divine authority, ordered his companion, “Wound me!” 216 But the man refused to wound him. 20:36 So the prophet 217 said to him, “Because you have disobeyed the Lord, as soon as you leave me a lion will kill you.” When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him. 20:37 He found another man and said, “Wound me!” So the man wounded him severely. 218
[15:24] 1 tn Heb “lay down with his fathers.”
[22:2] 2 tn The word “visit” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
[22:3] 3 tn Heb “Do you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us, and we hesitate to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?” The rhetorical question expects the answer, “Of course, you must know!”
[22:4] 4 tn Heb “Like me, like you; like my people, like your people; like my horses; like your horses.”
[22:5] 5 tn Heb “and Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel.”
[22:5] 6 tn Heb “the word of the
[22:6] 7 tn Heb “Should I go against Ramoth Gilead for war or should I refrain?”
[22:6] 8 tn Though Jehoshaphat requested an oracle from “the
[22:8] 9 tn Heb “to seek the
[22:8] 11 tn The words “his name is” are supplied for stylistic reasons.
[22:10] 12 tn Heb “were sitting, a man on his throne.”
[22:10] 13 map For location see Map2 B1; Map4 D3; Map5 E2; Map6 A4; Map7 C1.
[22:13] 14 tn Heb “the words of the prophets are [with] one mouth good for the king.”
[22:13] 15 tn Heb “let your words be like the word of each of them and speak good.”
[22:15] 16 sn “Attack! You will succeed; the
[22:16] 17 tn Or “swear an oath by.”
[22:17] 18 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Micaiah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[22:19] 19 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Micaiah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[22:21] 21 tn Heb “the spirit.” The significance of the article prefixed to רוּחַ (ruakh) is uncertain, but it could contain a clue as to this spirit’s identity, especially when interpreted in light of v. 24. It is certainly possible, and probably even likely, that the article is used in a generic or dramatic sense and should be translated, “a spirit.” In the latter case it would show that this spirit was vivid and definite in the mind of Micaiah the storyteller. However, if one insists that the article indicates a well-known or universally known spirit, the following context provides a likely referent. Verse 24 tells how Zedekiah slapped Micaiah in the face and then asked sarcastically, “Which way did the spirit from the
[22:22] 22 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the
[22:22] 23 tn The Hebrew text has two imperfects connected by וְגַם (vÿgam). These verbs could be translated as specific futures, “you will deceive and also you will prevail,” in which case the
[22:27] 24 tn Heb “the bread of affliction and the water of affliction.”
[22:27] 25 tn Heb “come in peace.” So also in v. 28.
[22:30] 27 tn The Hebrew verbal forms could be imperatives (“Disguise yourself and enter”), but this would make no sense in light of the immediately following context. The forms are better interpreted as infinitives absolute functioning as cohortatives. See IBHS 594 §35.5.2a. Some prefer to emend the forms to imperfects.
[22:31] 28 tn Heb “small or great.”
[22:34] 29 tn Heb “now a man drew a bow in his innocence” (i.e., with no specific target in mind, or at least without realizing his target was the king of Israel).
[22:34] 30 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the king) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[22:37] 32 tn Heb “and the king died and he came to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria.”
[22:38] 33 tn Heb “now the prostitutes bathed.”
[22:38] 34 tn Heb “according to the word of the
[22:39] 35 tn Heb “As for the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, and the house of ivory which he built and all the cities which he built, are they not written on the scroll of the events of the days of the kings of Israel?”
[22:40] 36 tn Heb “lay down with his fathers.”
[22:42] 37 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[22:43] 38 tn Heb “he walked in all the way of Asa his father and did not turn from it, doing what is right in the eyes of the
[22:43] 39 sn Beginning with 22:43b, the verse numbers through 22:53 in the English Bible differ from the verse numbers in the Hebrew text (BHS), because 22:43b in the English Bible = 22:44 in the Hebrew text. The remaining verses in the chapter differ by one, with 22:44-53 ET = 22:45-54 HT.
[22:45] 40 tn Heb “As for the rest of the events of Jehoshaphat, and his strength that he demonstrated and how he fought, are they not written on the scroll of the events of the days of the kings of Judah?”
[22:46] 41 tn Heb “and the rest of the male cultic prostitutes who were left in the days of Asa his father, he burned from the land.” Some understand the verb בִּעֵר (bi’er) to mean “sweep away” here rather than “burn.” See the note at 1 Kgs 14:10.
[22:48] 42 tn Heb “a fleet of Tarshish [ships].” This probably refers to large ships either made in or capable of traveling to the distant western port of Tarshish.
[22:49] 43 tn Heb “Let my servants go with your servants in the fleet.”
[22:50] 44 tn Heb “lay down with his fathers.”
[22:50] 45 tn Heb “with his fathers in the city of his father.”
[22:2] 46 tn The word “visit” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
[3:1] 47 sn The phrase City of David refers here to the fortress of Zion in Jerusalem, not to Bethlehem. See 2 Sam 5:7.
[3:1] 48 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[3:2] 49 sn Offering sacrifices at the high places. The “high places” were places of worship that were naturally or artificially elevated.
[3:2] 50 tn Heb “for the name of the
[17:1] 51 tn Heb “before whom I stand.”
[17:1] 52 tn Heb “except at the command of my word.”
[17:2] 53 tn Heb “and the word of the
[17:4] 55 tn Heb “to provide for you.”
[17:5] 56 tn Heb “So he went and did.”
[17:7] 57 tn Heb “And it came about at the end of days.”
[17:8] 58 tn Heb “And the word of the
[17:9] 59 tn Heb “Look, I have commanded.”
[17:11] 61 tn The Hebrew text also includes the phrase “in your hand.”
[17:12] 62 tn Heb “Look, I am gathering two sticks and then I will go and make it for me and my son and we will eat it and we will die.”
[17:13] 63 tn Heb “according to your word.”
[17:15] 64 tn Heb “and she ate, she and he and her house [for] days.”
[17:16] 65 tn Heb “out, according to the word of the
[17:17] 66 tn Heb “after these things.”
[17:18] 67 tn Heb “What to me and to you, man of God, that you have come.”
[17:18] 68 tn Heb “to make me remember.”
[17:24] 69 tn Heb “you are a man of God and the word of the
[18:1] 70 tn Heb “the word of the
[18:2] 71 map For location see Map2 B1; Map4 D3; Map5 E2; Map6 A4; Map7 C1.
[18:3] 72 tn Heb “now Obadiah greatly feared the
[18:4] 73 tn Heb “cutting off.”
[18:5] 75 tn Heb “to cut off.”
[18:6] 76 tn The Hebrew text has “alone” here and again in reference to Obadiah toward the end of the verse.
[18:7] 77 tn Heb “look, Elijah [came] to meet him.”
[18:8] 79 tn Heb “Look, Elijah”; or “Elijah is here.”
[18:9] 80 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Obadiah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[18:9] 81 tn Heb “to kill me.”
[18:10] 82 tn Heb “he makes the kingdom or the nation swear an oath.”
[18:11] 83 tn Heb “Look, Elijah”; or “Elijah is here.”
[18:12] 84 tn Heb “to [a place] which I do not know.”
[18:12] 85 tn Heb “and I will go to inform Ahab and he will not find you and he will kill me.”
[18:12] 86 tn The words “that would not be fair” are added to clarify the logic of Obadiah’s argument.
[18:12] 87 tn Heb “has feared the
[18:13] 88 tn Heb “Has it not been told to my master what I did…?” The rhetorical question expects an answer, “Of course it has!”
[18:14] 89 tn Heb “Look, Elijah”; or “Elijah is here.”
[18:15] 90 tn Traditionally, “the
[18:15] 91 tn Heb “(before whom I stand).”
[18:16] 92 tn Heb “Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah.”
[18:18] 95 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Elijah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[18:19] 97 tn The word “messengers” is supplied in the translation both here and in v. 20 for clarification.
[18:19] 98 tn Heb “who eat at the table of Jezebel.”
[18:21] 99 tn Heb “How long are you going to limp around on two crutches?” (see HALOT 762 s.v. סְעִפִּים). In context this idiomatic expression refers to indecision rather than physical disability.
[18:22] 101 tn Heb “to the people.”
[18:24] 102 tn Elijah now directly addresses the prophets.
[18:24] 104 tn Heb “The matter [i.e., proposal] is good [i.e., acceptable].”
[18:25] 105 tc The last sentence of v. 25 is absent in the Syriac Peshitta.
[18:26] 106 tn Heb “and they took the bull which he allowed them.”
[18:26] 107 tn Heb “limped” (the same verb is used in v. 21).
[18:26] 108 tc The MT has “which he made,” but some medieval Hebrew
[18:27] 109 sn Elijah’s sarcastic proposals would have been especially offensive and irritating to Baal’s prophets, for they believed Baal was imprisoned in the underworld as death’s captive during this time of drought. Elijah’s apparent ignorance of their theology is probably designed for dramatic effect; indeed the suggestion that Baal is away on a trip or deep in sleep comes precariously close to the truth as viewed by the prophets.
[18:28] 110 tn Or “as was their custom.”
[18:28] 111 tn Heb “until blood poured out on them.”
[18:29] 112 tn Heb “when noon passed they prophesied until the offering up of the offering.”
[18:29] 113 tc The Old Greek translation and Syriac Peshitta include the following words here: “When it was time to offer the sacrifice, Elijah the Tishbite spoke to the prophets of the abominations: ‘Stand aside for the time being, and I will offer my burnt offering.’ So they stood aside and departed.”
[18:30] 114 sn Torn down. The condition of the altar symbolizes the spiritual state of the people.
[18:31] 115 tn The word “new” is implied but not actually present in the Hebrew text.
[18:31] 116 sn Israel will be your new name. See Gen 32:28; 35:10.
[18:32] 117 tn Heb “and he built the stones into an altar in the name of the
[18:32] 118 tn A seah was a dry measure equivalent to about seven quarts.
[18:34] 119 tn The words “when they had done so” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
[18:36] 120 tn Heb “at the offering up of the offering.”
[18:36] 121 tn The words “the altar” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
[18:36] 122 tn Heb “let it be known.”
[18:37] 124 tn Heb “that you are turning their heart[s] back.”
[18:38] 125 tn The words “from the sky” are added for stylistic reasons.
[18:39] 126 tn Heb “the God” (the phrase occurs twice in this verse).
[18:40] 127 tn Or “slaughtered.”
[18:41] 128 tn Heb “for [there is] the sound of the roar of the rain.”
[18:43] 129 sn So he went on up, looked, and reported, “There is nothing.” Several times in this chapter those addressed by Elijah obey his orders. In vv. 20 and 42 Ahab does as instructed, in vv. 26 and 28 the prophets follow Elijah’s advice, and in vv. 30, 34, 40 and 43 the people and servants do as they are told. By juxtaposing Elijah’s commands with accounts of those commands being obeyed, the narrator emphasizes the authority of the
[18:43] 130 tn Heb “He said, ‘Return,’ seven times.”
[18:44] 131 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the servant) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[18:44] 132 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Elijah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[18:44] 133 tn Heb “so that the rain won’t restrain you.”
[18:45] 134 tn Heb “rode and went to.”
[18:46] 135 tn Heb “and the hand of the
[18:46] 136 tn Heb “and girded up his loins.” The idea is that of gathering up the robes and tucking them into the sash or belt so that they do not get in the way of the legs when running (or working or fighting).
[19:2] 138 tn Heb “So may the gods do to me, and so may they add.”
[19:2] 139 tn Heb “I do not make your life like the life of one of them.”
[19:3] 140 tc The MT has “and he saw,” but some medieval Hebrew
[19:4] 141 tn Or “broom tree” (also in v. 5).
[19:4] 142 tn Heb “and asked with respect to his life to die.”
[19:5] 145 tn Heb “Look, a messenger.”
[19:6] 146 tn Heb “and again lay down”
[19:7] 147 tn Heb “for the journey is too great for you.”
[19:10] 148 tn Or “very zealous.” The infinitive absolute preceding the finite verb emphasizes the degree of his zeal and allegiance.
[19:10] 149 tn Traditionally, “the God of hosts.”
[19:10] 150 tn Heb “abandoned your covenant.”
[19:10] 151 tn Heb “and they are seeking my life to take it.”
[19:11] 152 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the
[19:11] 153 tn Heb “tearing away the mountains and breaking the cliffs” (or perhaps, “breaking the stones”).
[19:12] 154 tn Heb “a voice, calm, soft.”
[19:14] 156 tn Or “very zealous.” The infinitive absolute preceding the finite verb emphasizes the degree of his zeal and allegiance.
[19:14] 157 tn Traditionally, “the God of hosts.”
[19:14] 158 tn Heb “abandoned your covenant.”
[19:14] 159 tn Heb “and they are seeking my life to take it.”
[19:18] 160 tn Heb “I have kept in Israel seven thousand, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and all the mouths that have not kissed him.”
[19:20] 161 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Elijah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[19:21] 162 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Elijah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[19:21] 163 tn Heb “and with the equipment of the oxen he cooked them, the flesh.”
[20:1] 164 map For location see Map2 B1; Map4 D3; Map5 E2; Map6 A4; Map7 C1.
[20:1] 165 tn Heb “and he went up and besieged Samaria and fought against it.”
[20:2] 166 tn Heb “to the city.”
[20:6] 167 tn Heb “all that is desirable to your eyes they will put in their hand and take.”
[20:7] 169 tn Heb “Know and see that this [man] is seeking trouble.”
[20:8] 170 tn Heb “Do not listen and do not be willing.”
[20:9] 171 tn Heb “all which you sent to your servant in the beginning I will do, but this thing I am unable to do.”
[20:10] 172 tn Heb “So may the gods do to me, and so may they add.”
[20:10] 173 tn Heb “if the dirt of Samaria suffices for the handfuls of all the people who are at my feet.”
[20:11] 174 sn The point of the saying is that someone who is still preparing for a battle should not boast as if he has already won the battle. A modern parallel would be, “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.”
[20:12] 175 tn Heb “When he heard this word.”
[20:12] 176 tn Heb “in the temporary shelters.” This is probably referring to tents.
[20:13] 177 tn Heb “this great horde.”
[20:14] 178 tn The words “will this be accomplished” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
[20:14] 179 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Ahab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[20:15] 180 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Ahab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[20:15] 181 tn Heb “after them he assembled all the people, all the sons of Israel, seven thousand.”
[20:16] 182 tn Heb “drinking and drunken.”
[20:16] 183 tn Heb “in the temporary shelters.” This is probably referring to tents.
[20:17] 184 map For location see Map2 B1; Map4 D3; Map5 E2; Map6 A4; Map7 C1.
[20:18] 185 tn Heb “if they come in peace, take them alive; if they come for battle, take them alive.”
[20:20] 186 tn Heb “each struck down his man.”
[20:21] 187 tn Heb “struck down Aram with a great striking down.”
[20:22] 188 tn The definite article indicates previous reference, that is, “the prophet mentioned earlier” (see v. 13).
[20:22] 189 tn Heb “strengthen yourself.”
[20:22] 190 tn Heb “know and see.”
[20:22] 191 tn Heb “at the turning of the year.”
[20:22] 192 tn Heb “go up against.”
[20:25] 194 tn Heb “And you, you muster an army like the one that fell from you, horse like horse and chariot like chariot.”
[20:25] 195 tn Heb “he listened to their voice and did so.”
[20:26] 196 tn Heb “at the turning of the year.”
[20:26] 197 tn Heb “mustered Aram.”
[20:26] 198 tn Heb “and went up to Aphek for battle with Israel.”
[20:27] 199 tn The noun translated “small flocks” occurs only here. The common interpretation derives the word from the verbal root חשׂף, “to strip off; to make bare.” In this case the noun refers to something “stripped off” or “made bare.” HALOT 359 s.v. II חשׂף derives the noun from a proposed homonymic verbal root (which occurs only in Ps 29:9) meaning “cause a premature birth.” In this case the derived noun could refer to goats that are undersized because they are born prematurely.
[20:28] 200 tn Heb “the man of God.”
[20:28] 201 tn Heb “I will place all this great horde in your hand.”
[20:30] 202 tn Heb “and the remaining ones fled to Aphek to the city and the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand men, the ones who remained.”
[20:30] 203 tn Heb “and Ben Hadad fled and went into the city, [into] an inner room in an inner room.”
[20:31] 205 tn Or “merciful.” The word used here often means “devoted” or “loyal.” Perhaps the idea is that the Israelite kings are willing to make treaties with other kings.
[20:31] 206 sn Sackcloth was worn as a sign of sorrow and repentance. The precise significance of the ropes on the head is uncertain, but it probably was a sign of submission. These actions were comparable to raising a white flag on the battlefield or throwing in the towel in a boxing match.
[20:32] 208 sn Your servant. By referring to Ben Hadad as Ahab’s servant, they are suggesting that Ahab make him a subject in a vassal treaty arrangement.
[20:32] 209 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Ahab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[20:32] 210 sn He is my brother. Ahab’s response indicates that he wants to make a parity treaty and treat Ben Hadad as an equal partner.
[20:33] 211 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Ahab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[20:34] 212 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Ben Hadad) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[20:34] 213 tn Heb “streets,” but this must refer to streets set up with stalls for merchants to sell their goods. See HALOT 299 s.v. חוּץ.
[20:34] 214 map For location see Map2 B1; Map4 D3; Map5 E2; Map6 A4; Map7 C1.
[20:34] 215 tn Heb “I will send you away with a treaty.” The words “Ahab then said” are supplied in the translation. There is nothing in the Hebrew text to indicate that the speaker has changed from Ben Hadad to Ahab. Some suggest adding “and he said” before “I will send you away.” Others prefer to maintain Ben Hadad as the speaker and change the statement to, “Please send me away with a treaty.”
[20:35] 216 tn Heb “Now a man from the sons of the prophets said to his companion by the word of the
[20:36] 217 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the prophet) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[20:37] 218 tn Heb “and the man wounded him, wounding and bruising.”
