Tirzah
1 Kings 15 Tirzah (“Map 6”) was the capital of the northern kingdom for about 40 years, including the 24-year reign of its third king, Baasha (1Ki 15:33). It is located at Tell el-Far‘ah (“North”) in the tribal area of Manasseh, approximately 36 miles (58 km) north of Jerusalem. Baasha was buried at Tirzah (16:6)—the only Israelite king whom the Bible specifically states was interred there. Baasha’s son Elah, who ruled for two years (16:8), was overthrown by a chariot commander named Zimri around 885 B.C. (16:9–10). After only seven days on the throne, Zimri was supplanted by Omri, the army general (16:15–20). Recognizing his imminent defeat, Zimri “ went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him” (16:18).1 Excavators at Tell el-Far‘ah have found evidence of destruction by fire early in the ninth century B.C., with the debris layer as much as 3 feet (.9 m) thick in some places.
Reconstruction of Tirzah began after a short period of abandonment. The major building of this time was a solidly constructed structure of 31 feet (9.4 m) by 44 feet (13.4 m), built of well-dressed masonry. It was never completed, however, as evidenced by the presence of abandoned building materials, partly dressed stones and the absence of ruins. This fits the Biblical record, which states that Omri ruled at Tirzah for only six years, after which he established a new capital at Samaria (vv. 23–24; “Map 4”).2 Omri abruptly halted the rebuilding of Tirzah when he started construction on Samaria. Tirzah’s significance dwindled thereafter; by the postexilic period3 the city was abandoned. Song of Songs 6:4 sets Tirzah alongside Jerusalem as one of Israel’s two great cities, indicating that the Song was written during Tirzah’s glory days.4
1. See “The History of the Northern Kingdom.”
2. See “Omri and Samaria.”
3. See “The Postexilic Period of the Old Testament: The Persian Period.”
3He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted† to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been. 4Nevertheless, for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp† in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong. 5For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not failed to keep† any of the LORD’s commands all the days of his life—except in the case of Uriah† the Hittite.
6There was war† between Rehoboam[90] and Jeroboam throughout [Abijah’s] lifetime. 7As for the other events of Abijah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. 8And Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And Asa his son succeeded him as king.
Asa King of Judah
9In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king of Judah, 10and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother’s name was Maacah† daughter of Abishalom.
11Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done. 12He expelled the male shrine prostitutes† from the land and got rid of all the idols his fathers had made. 13He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down† and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 14Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed† to the LORD all his life. 15He brought into the temple of the LORD the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated.†
16There was war† between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their reigns. 17Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah† to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.
18Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the LORD’s temple† and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent† them to Ben-Hadad† son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. 19“Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.”
20Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. He conquered† Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maacah and all Kinnereth in addition to Naphtali. 21When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah. 22Then King Asa issued an order to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using there. With them King Asa built up Geba† in Benjamin, and also Mizpah.
23As for all the other events of Asa’s reign, all his achievements, all he did and the cities he built, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? In his old age, however, his feet became diseased. 24Then Asa rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of his father David. And Jehoshaphat† his son succeeded him as king.
Nadab King of Israel
25Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. 26He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, walking in the ways of his father† and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.
27Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar plotted against him, and he struck him down† at Gibbethon,† a Philistine town, while Nadab and all Israel were besieging it. 28Baasha killed Nadab in the third year of Asa king of Judah and succeeded him as king.
29As soon as he began to reign, he killed Jeroboam’s whole family.† He did not leave Jeroboam anyone that breathed, but destroyed them all, according to the word of the LORD given through his servant Ahijah the Shilonite— 30because of the sins† Jeroboam had committed and had caused Israel to commit, and because he provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger.
31As for the other events of Nadab’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? 32There was war† between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their reigns.
Baasha King of Israel
33In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned twenty-four years. 34He did evil† in the eyes of the LORD, walking in the ways of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.
1Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu† son of Hanani† against Baasha: 2“I lifted you up from the dust† and made you leader† of my people Israel, but you walked in the ways of Jeroboam and caused† my people Israel to sin and to provoke me to anger by their sins. 3So I am about to consume Baasha and his house,† and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat. 4Dogs† will eat those belonging to Baasha who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country.”
Omri and Samaria
1 Kings 16 Following his coup Omri ruled the northern kingdom for 12 years (1Ki 16:15–22). Although a failure as a spiritual leader, Omri was a powerful king (vv. 16–18, 21–28). Perhaps his most significant accomplishment was the founding of the new capital at Samaria (v. 24; see “Map 6”). It was established around 885 B.C. and remained the capital until the demise of the northern kingdom in 722 B.C.1
Samaria is situated at a crossroads near the main north-south road through the highlands of Israel, 34 miles (55 km) north of Jerusalem. Situated on a high hill, the city dominates the surrounding countryside. Excavations at the site have unearthed Omri’s royal citadel on the acropolis. It was surrounded by a 5 foot (1.5 m) thick wall enclosing a four-acre area. The wall was constructed of fine ashlar (cut) masonry laid in header-stretcher fashion (alternating narrow-face and wide-face placement of rectangular blocks). On the southwestern side of the enclosure was a palace constructed around a central courtyard. The preserved portion is 78 feet (24 m) by 88 feet (27 m) in size. Outside the royal quarter was a lower city built on the slope of the hill.
Omri’s name appears in a number of ancient documents:
• The earliest known inscription to mention a king of Judah or Israel is the Mesha (or Moabite) Inscription, written approximately 846 B.C.2 It states that “Omri had occupied the land of Medeba [northern Moab], and had dwelt there in his time.”
• In a document from about five years later the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III referred to Jehu, a later Israelite king, as the “son of Omri.”3
• Other Assyrian kings, such as Tiglath-Pileser III (c. 732 B.C.) and Sargon II (c. 721 B.C.),4 attached such importance to the reign of Omri that they referred to Israel as “Omri-Land.”
Omri was an enormously famous and successful king, yet the Bible pays him virtually no attention. Political success, in the eyes of the Biblical writers, counted for very little if an individual had turned away from God.
1. See “The History of the Northern Kingdom.”
2. See “The Mesha (Moabite) Stone.”
3. See “Jehu/The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III.”
4. See “The Annals of Sargon II.”
5As for the other events of Baasha’s reign, what he did and his achievements, are they not written in the book of the annals† of the kings of Israel? 6Baasha rested with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah.† And Elah his son succeeded him as king.
7Moreover, the word of the LORD came† through the prophet Jehu† son of Hanani to Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger by the things he did, and becoming like the house of Jeroboam—and also because he destroyed it.
Elah King of Israel
8In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.
9Zimri, one of his officials, who had command of half his chariots, plotted against him. Elah was in Tirzah at the time, getting drunk† in the home of Arza, the man in charge† of the palace at Tirzah. 10Zimri came in, struck him down and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah. Then he succeeded him as king.
11As soon as he began to reign and was seated on the throne, he killed off Baasha’s whole family.† He did not spare a single male, whether relative or friend. 12So Zimri destroyed the whole family of Baasha, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken against Baasha through the prophet Jehu— 13because of all the sins Baasha and his son Elah had committed and had caused Israel to commit, so that they provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their worthless idols.†
14As for the other events of Elah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?
Zimri King of Israel
15In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned in Tirzah seven days. The army was encamped near Gibbethon,† a Philistine town. 16When the Israelites in the camp heard that Zimri had plotted against the king and murdered him, they proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day there in the camp. 17Then Omri and all the Israelites with him withdrew from Gibbethon and laid siege to Tirzah. 18When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him. So he died, 19because of the sins he had committed, doing evil in the eyes of the LORD and walking in the ways of Jeroboam and in the sin he had committed and had caused Israel to commit.
20As for the other events of Zimri’s reign, and the rebellion he carried out, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?
Omri King of Israel
21Then the people of Israel were split into two factions; half supported Tibni son of Ginath for king, and the other half supported Omri. 22But Omri’s followers proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king.
23In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned twelve years, six of them in Tirzah.† 24He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents[91] of silver and built a city on the hill, calling it Samaria,† after Shemer, the name of the former owner of the hill.
25But Omri did evil† in the eyes of the LORD and sinned more than all those before him. 26He walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sin, which he had caused† Israel to commit, so that they provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their worthless idols.†
27As for the other events of Omri’s reign, what he did and the things he achieved, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? 28Omri rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria. And Ahab his son succeeded him as king.
Ahab Becomes King of Israel
29In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. 30Ahab son of Omri did more† evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. 31He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married† Jezebel daughter† of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal† and worship him. 32He set up an altar for Baal in the temple† of Baal that he built in Samaria. 33Ahab also made an Asherah pole† and did more† to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him.
34In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun.†
Elijah Fed by Ravens
1Now Elijah† the Tishbite, from Tishbe[92] in Gilead,† said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain† in the next few years except at my word.”
Zarephath
1 Kings 17 A city on the Mediterranean coast 14 miles (22.5 km) north of Tyre and 8 miles (13 km) south of Sidon,1 Zarephath (“Map 7”) is mentioned in Neo-Assyrian records of the seventh century B.C. (when it surrendered to the Assyrian king Sennacherib), as well as in an Egyptian papyrus from the thirteenth century B.C. Today the small village of Sarafand lies close to the remains of the old city. Excavations have uncovered that this ancient port was not only a commercial center for the export of wine, olive oil and the purple dye extracted from murex shells but also a manufacturing hub for textiles, pottery and glassware. In the Roman period the city featured a shrine to the goddess Tannit, to whom child sacrifices are believed to have been made.2 By the fourth century A.D. pilgrims were making their way to Zarephath to commemorate Elijah’s miracles there, and a tower was erected to mark the site of the “upper room” in which he had lived (1Ki 17:19). Though never considered a city of great importance, Zarephath’s location places it in the center of the Phoenician heartland.3
First Kings 17 demonstrates in no uncertain terms that Yahweh, the God of Israel, was more powerful than the Canaanite god Baal, who was worshiped as the god of rain and fertility and the vanquisher of death.4 But in 1 Kings 17 the God of Israel provides sustenance during a famine and proves his power over death in the raising of a child (v. 22). The next chapter, 1 Kings 18, recounts the triumph of Yahweh and his prophet over Baal and his prophets.
God’s command to Elijah to remain in the home of a pagan widow must have seemed strange. Jesus cited this story as an example of how a prophet is often unwelcome in his home country (Lk 4:26).
2. See “Human Sacrifice in the Ancient Near East.”
4. See “The Ugaritic Text of the Myth of Baal” and “Baal and the Fertility Cults.”
2Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3“Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens† to feed you there.”
5So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning† and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
The Widow at Zarephath
7Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9“Go at once to Zarephath† of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow† in that place to supply you with food.” 10So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?”† 11As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”
12“As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil† in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”
13Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.’ ”
15She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.
17Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin† and kill my son?”
19“Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20Then he cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21Then he stretched† himself out on the boy three times and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”
22The LORD heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. 23Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!”
24Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know† that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.”†
Elijah and Obadiah
1After a long time, in the third† year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain† on the land.” 2So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.
Now the famine was severe in Samaria, 3and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge† of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer† in the LORD. 4While Jezebel† was killing off the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden† them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.) 5Ahab had said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals.” 6So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.
7As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized† him, bowed down to the ground, and said, “Is it really you, my lord Elijah?”
8“Yes,” he replied. “Go tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.’ ”
9“What have I done wrong,” asked Obadiah, “that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to be put to death? 10As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to look† for you. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you. 11But now you tell me to go to my master and say, ‘Elijah is here.’ 12I don’t know where the Spirit† of the LORD may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn’t find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the LORD since my youth. 13Haven’t you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred of the LORD’s prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water. 14And now you tell me to go to my master and say, ‘Elijah is here.’ He will kill me!”
15Elijah said, “As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present† myself to Ahab today.”
Elijah on Mount Carmel
16So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler† of Israel?”
18“I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you† and your father’s family have. You have abandoned† the LORD’s commands and have followed the Baals. 19Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel.† And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
20So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver† between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
But the people said nothing.
22Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the LORD’s prophets left,† but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.† 23Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire†—he is God.”
Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”
25Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26So they took the bull given them and prepared it.
Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “O Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response;† no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.
27At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”† 28So they shouted louder and slashed† themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice.† But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.†
30Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar† of the LORD, which was in ruins. 31Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.”† 32With the stones he built an altar in the name† of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs[93] of seed. 33He arranged† the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”
34“Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.
“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.
36At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “O LORD, God of Abraham,† Isaac and Israel, let it be known† today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.† 37Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
38Then the fire† of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
39When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!”†
40Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley† and slaughtered† there.
41And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 42So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.†
43“Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.
“There is nothing there,” he said.
Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”
44The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud† as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”
45Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. 46The power† of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt,† he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
Elijah Flees to Horeb
1Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed† all the prophets with the sword. 2So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely,† if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
Beersheba
1 Kings 19 Beersheba was the proverbial southern limit of Israel, as in the expression “from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba” (e.g., Jdg 20:1; see “Map 6”). Elijah, therefore, wanting to separate himself as far as possible from Queen Jezebel of the northern kingdom, fled to Beersheba. The name of the site originates from Abraham’s treaty with Abimelech and means “well of the oath” or “well of the seven” (Ge 21:31). Located 50 miles (81 km) south of Jerusalem in the center of the Negev region,1 Beersheba’s general location is not in doubt, although scholars have debated which mound to identify as the city’s location during the time of the monarchy.
A partition wall in a storehouse at Iron Age Beersheba
Photograph courtesy of © Dr. Gary Pratico
Beersheba assumed a prominent role in the administration of the southern region of the kingdom during the united and later the divided monarchy. Archaeological excavations of Tel Beersheba have revealed nine strata, or levels of occupation, dating from the Iron Age.2 The earliest, strata IX through VI from the Iron Age I (late judges period), reveal a site no larger than a small village. Strata V through II date to the period of the monarchy, with stratum II being the best preserved and most visible today. Stratum V has been equated with the Beersheba of the united monarchy, which was violently destroyed, quite possibly during the campaign of Pharaoh Sheshonk (Biblical Shishak; 1Ki 14:25).3 Soon afterward the city was rebuilt, but it was again destroyed at the stratum II level. This destruction is generally dated to Sennacherib’s campaign against Judah in 701 B.C.,4 although some suggest that it was leveled by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C.5 Stratum I (the most recent)—fairly meager and soon abandoned—was built shortly thereafter.
Domestic structures at Beersheba
Photograph courtesy of © Dr. Gary Pratico
Beersheba occupied a three-acre site and was used largely for governmental purposes. The city was laid out in an oval shape, with a ring of typical Israelite houses abutting its casemate wall. Streets radiated out from the town gate and plaza, with three large government storehouses located near the gate.6 One large structure from stratum II, dubbed the “Governor’s Palace,” was an impressive administrative building featuring three large reception halls. It was built of ashlars (cut stones), in contrast to the other buildings, which were constructed of field stones. A remarkable find at Beersheba was a dismantled, sacrificial altar. Archaeologists who located the stones of this altar—in secondary use in one of these storehouses—were able to reconstruct it. The altar may have been part of a temple complex destroyed during the reforms of King Hezekiah (2Ki 18:4). The prophet Amos spoke harshly against the religious practices that took place in this city (Am 5:5; 8:14).
The location of the Beersheba of the patriarchs is unknown. This earlier settlement was undoubtedly in the Beersheba Valley but not necessarily at the identical site. The Bible does not suggest a large settlement at Beersheba during patriarchal times, and it is unlikely that archaeologists will be able to pinpoint its location.
1. See “The Negev: Its Climate and Features.”
2. See “Archaeological Periods Chart” in the beginning of this Bible.
3. See “The Campaign of Shishak.”
4. See “The Sennacherib Prism.”
5. See “Nebuchadnezzar.”
6. See “The Israelite Town and Home.”
3Elijah was afraid[94] and ran† for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life;† I am no better than my ancestors.” 5Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.†
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty† days and forty nights until he reached Horeb,† the mountain of God. 9There he went into a cave† and spent the night.
The LORD Appears to Elijah
And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10He replied, “I have been very zealous† for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left,† and now they are trying to kill me too.”
11The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain† in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind† tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.† 13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face† and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left,† and now they are trying to kill me too.”
15The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael† king over Aram. 16Also, anoint† Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha† son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael,† and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18Yet I reserve† seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed† him.”
The Call of Elisha
19So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak† around him. 20Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother good-by,”† he said, “and then I will come with you.”
“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”
21So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen† and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.†
Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria
1Now Ben-Hadad† king of Aram mustered his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he went up and besieged Samaria and attacked it. 2He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, saying, “This is what Ben-Hadad says: 3‘Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.’ ”
Ben-Hadad I and II
1 Kings 20 There are at least two, and probably three, kings named Ben-Hadad in the Old Testament. They ruled Aram from Syria’s capital city, Damascus1 (see “Map 6”). Ben-Hadad I (late tenth to early ninth centuries B.C.), the son of Tabrimmon, is known in the Bible for having entered into a treaty with Judah to attack Israel (1Ki 15).
Ben-Hadad II (also called Hadadezer; r. c. 860–841 B.C.) is prominent in 1 Kings 20 and in 2 Kings 5–8. He attacked Samaria (“Map 4”) around 857 B.C. but was defeated by Ahab (1Ki 20:1–21). The following year he returned to engage Israel at Aphek2 (“Map 4”), 3 miles (4.8 km) east of the southern coast of the Sea of Galilee, but once again Ahab emerged victorious (vv. 22–34). Ben-Hadad was more successful three years later when he at last overcame the joint forces of Ahab and Jehoshaphat of Judah at Ramoth Gilead3 (ch. 22; “Map 4”). Ben-Hadad laid siege to Samaria once again during the reign of Joram (2Ki 6–7)—and once again was defeated, this time by divine intervention (2Ki 7:6).4
Apart from the Bible, ancient inscriptions also mention Ben-Hadad II:
• In the records of Shalmaneser III, king of Assyria from approximately 858–824 B.C., Ben-Hadad II is referred to as “Adad-idri.” Along with other kings from the region (including Ahab of Israel), Ben-Hadad fought against Shalmaneser repeatedly—in 853, 849, 848 and 845 B.C. In the battle of Qarqar, Syria, in 853 B.C., Ben-Hadad commanded a force of 20,000 foot soldiers, 1,200 chariots and 1,200 cavalry.5
• Lines 3 and 4 of the Tel Dan Stele refer to an unnamed individual as “my father.”6 Since the author of the text appears to have been Hazael, Ben-Hadad II’s successor (but not actually his son),7 the reference to “my father” is probably to Ben-Hadad II.
An apparent third Ben-Hadad ruled during the early eighth century B.C. and fought against Jehoash (see 2Ki 13:14–19, 25).8
3. See “Ramoth (in) Gilead.”
4. See “Dothan, Ben-Hadad and a Chronological Problem.”
5. See “Ahab and the Battle of Qarqar.”
6. See “The Tel Dan Stele.”
7. See “Hazael, the Nemesis of Israel.”
8. See also “Ben-Hadad III of Aram and Jehoash of Israel.”
4The king of Israel answered, “Just as you say, my lord the king. I and all I have are yours.”
5The messengers came again and said, “This is what Ben-Hadad says: ‘I sent to demand your silver and gold, your wives and your children. 6But about this time tomorrow I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will seize everything you value and carry it away.’ ”
7The king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said to them, “See how this man is looking for trouble!† When he sent for my wives and my children, my silver and my gold, I did not refuse him.”
8The elders and the people all answered, “Don’t listen to him or agree to his demands.”
9So he replied to Ben-Hadad’s messengers, “Tell my lord the king, ‘Your servant will do all you demanded the first time, but this demand I cannot meet.’ ” They left and took the answer back to Ben-Hadad.
10Then Ben-Hadad sent another message to Ahab: “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if enough dust† remains in Samaria to give each of my men a handful.”
11The king of Israel answered, “Tell him: ‘One who puts on his armor should not boast† like one who takes it off.’ ”
12Ben-Hadad heard this message while he and the kings were drinking† in their tents,[95] and he ordered his men: “Prepare to attack.” So they prepared to attack the city.
Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad
13Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and announced, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know† that I am the LORD.’ ”
14“But who will do this?” asked Ahab.
The prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘The young officers of the provincial commanders will do it.’ ”
“And who will start† the battle?” he asked.
The prophet answered, “You will.”
15So Ahab summoned the young officers of the provincial commanders, 232 men. Then he assembled the rest of the Israelites, 7,000 in all. 16They set out at noon while Ben-Hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.† 17The young officers of the provincial commanders went out first.
Now Ben-Hadad had dispatched scouts, who reported, “Men are advancing from Samaria.”
18He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive.”
19The young officers of the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind them 20and each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen. 21The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans.
22Afterward, the prophet† came to the king of Israel and said, “Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring† the king of Aram will attack you again.”
23Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, “Their gods are gods† of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they. 24Do this: Remove all the kings from their commands and replace them with other officers. 25You must also raise an army like the one you lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight Israel on the plains. Then surely we will be stronger than they.” He agreed with them and acted accordingly.
26The next spring† Ben-Hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to Aphek† to fight against Israel. 27When the Israelites were also mustered and given provisions, they marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped opposite them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside.†
28The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god† of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know† that I am the LORD.’ ”
29For seven days they camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle was joined. The Israelites inflicted a hundred thousand casualties on the Aramean foot soldiers in one day. 30The rest of them escaped to the city of Aphek,† where the wall collapsed on twenty-seven thousand of them. And Ben-Hadad fled to the city and hid† in an inner room.
31His officials said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go to the king of Israel with sackcloth† around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.”
32Wearing sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-Hadad says: ‘Please let me live.’ ”
The king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”
33The men took this as a good sign and were quick to pick up his word. “Yes, your brother Ben-Hadad!” they said.
“Go and get him,” the king said. When Ben-Hadad came out, Ahab had him come up into his chariot.
34“I will return the cities† my father took from your father,” Ben-Hadad offered. “You may set up your own market areas in Damascus,† as my father did in Samaria.”
[Ahab said, ] “On the basis of a treaty† I will set you free.” So he made a treaty with him, and let him go.
A Prophet Condemns Ahab
35By the word of the LORD one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me with your weapon,” but the man refused.†
36So the prophet said, “Because you have not obeyed the LORD, as soon as you leave me a lion† will kill you.” And after the man went away, a lion found him and killed him.
37The prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please.” So the man struck him and wounded him. 38Then the prophet went and stood by the road waiting for the king. He disguised himself with his headband down over his eyes. 39As the king passed by, the prophet called out to him, “Your servant went into the thick of the battle, and someone came to me with a captive and said, ‘Guard this man. If he is missing, it will be your life for his life,† or you must pay a talent[96] of silver.’ 40While your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.”
“That is your sentence,” the king of Israel said. “You have pronounced it yourself.”
41Then the prophet quickly removed the headband from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets. 42He said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have set free a man I had determined should die.[97] † Therefore it is your life for his life,† your people for his people.’ ” 43Sullen and angry,† the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria.
Naboth’s Vineyard
1Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth† the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel,† close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”
3But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance† of my fathers.”
4So Ahab went home, sullen and angry† because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.
5His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?”
6He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ”
7Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard† of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
8So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal† on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. 9In those letters she wrote:
“Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10But seat two scoundrels† opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed† both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.”
11So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. 12They proclaimed a fast† and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 13Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.† 14Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned and is dead.”
15As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard† of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” 16When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard.
17Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18“Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. 19Say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood,† dogs† will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’ ”
20Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!”†
“I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold† yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. 21‘I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male† in Israel—slave or free. 22I will make your house† like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.’†
23“And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: ‘Dogs† will devour Jezebel by the wall of[98] Jezreel.’
24“Dogs† will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country.”
25(There was never† a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 26He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites† the LORD drove out before Israel.)
27When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth† and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.
28Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”†
Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
1For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. 2But in the third year Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to see the king of Israel. 3The king of Israel had said to his officials, “Don’t you know that Ramoth Gilead† belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?”
4So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight† against Ramoth Gilead?”
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” 5But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel† of the LORD.”
6So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
“Go,”† they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”
7But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet† of the LORD here whom we can inquire of? ”
8The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate† him because he never prophesies anything good† about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
“The king should not say that,” Jehoshaphat replied.
9So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”
10Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor† by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. 11Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns† and he declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’ ”
Ahab and the Battle of Qarqar
1 Kings 22 Ahab, son of Omri, ruled the northern kingdom for 22 years, from approximately 874–853 B.C.—the fourth longest rule of the 20 kings of that nation.1 Four Old Testament chapters are devoted to his reign (1Ki 18; 20–22), more than to any other king of the northern kingdom. Because Ahab promoted the worship of Baal and Asherah, he carries the ignominious distinction of having been Israel’s most wicked king (16:30–33).2 During the last four years of his reign Ahab was involved in a war with Aram to the north. In his first two encounters with the Arameans he was victorious,3 but in the third recorded battle, at Ramoth Gilead4 (“Map 4”), Israel was badly defeated and Ahab mortally wounded (22:29–37). Although he died a violent death, Ahab at least avoided the fate of several other kings of the north, who were assassinated by rivals (see 21:20–29).
Ahab was known as an enthusiastic and skilled “builder” (meaning that he commissioned the construction of various buildings; 16:32; 22:39), and archaeological findings have borne this out. Remains of his palace have been unearthed at Samaria, where Ahab expanded the royal quarters built by his father.5 Inside the compound archaeologists have unearthed numerous fragments of carved ivory plaques from his palace (v. 39).6 In the northwest corner of the citadel was a pool, quite possibly the one in which Ahab’s bloodied chariot was washed (v. 38). Fortifications and elaborate constructions at Megiddo, Hazor (both “Map 6”) and Tel Dan have also been attributed to this king.
In 853 B.C., just prior to his engagement with the Arameans at Ramoth Gilead (“Map 4”), Ahab participated in a coalition of 12 states that were opposed to Assyria’s westward expansion, an event not recorded in the Old Testament. The Assyrian king Shalmaneser III confronted the coalition at Qarqar, Syria, and defeated its combined forces. In the Assyrian record of the event, “Ahab the Israelite” is credited with having contributed one of the largest forces—2,000 chariots and 10,000 infantry soldiers. The Assyrian record, as well as artifactual and architectural evidence excavated in Israel, fully substantiates the tone of the Biblical record concerning Ahab. He was a powerful and prosperous, albeit idolatrous, Biblical king.
1. See “The History of the Northern Kingdom.”
2. See “Baal and the Fertility Cults” and “Devotion to Asherah in the Khirbet El-Qom Inscription.”
3. See “Ben-Hadad I and II.”
4. See “Ramoth (in) Gilead.”
5. See “Omri and Samaria.”
6. See “The Samaria Ivories.”
12All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. “Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,” they said, “for the LORD will give it into the king’s hand.”
13The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.”
14But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I can tell him only what the LORD tells me.”†
15When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
“Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for the LORD will give it into the king’s hand.”
16The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?”
17Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd,† and the LORD said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’ ”
18The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”
19Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne† with all the host† of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. 20And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’
“One suggested this, and another that. 21Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’
22“ ‘By what means?’ the LORD asked.
“ ‘I will go out and be a lying† spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.
“ ‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’
23“So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets† of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you.”
24Then Zedekiah† son of Kenaanah went up and slapped† Micaiah in the face. “Which way did the spirit from[99] the LORD go when he went from me to speak to you?” he asked.
25Micaiah replied, “You will find out on the day you go to hide† in an inner room.”
26The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son 27and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison† and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’ ”
28Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken† through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”
Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead
29So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 30The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
31Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king† of Israel.” 32When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “Surely this is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, 33the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him.
34But someone drew his bow† at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” 35All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died. 36As the sun was setting, a cry spread through the army: “Every man to his town; everyone to his land!”†
37So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him there. 38They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria (where the prostitutes bathed),[100] and the dogs† licked up his blood, as the word of the LORD had declared.
39As for the other events of Ahab’s reign, including all he did, the palace he built and inlaid with ivory,† and the cities he fortified, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? 40Ahab rested with his fathers. And Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king.
Jehoshaphat King of Judah
41Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. 43In everything he walked in the ways of his father Asa† and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places,† however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. 44Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.
45As for the other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 46He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes† who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa. 47There was then no king† in Edom; a deputy ruled.
48Now Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships[101] † to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail—they were wrecked at Ezion Geber. 49At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my men sail with your men,” but Jehoshaphat refused.
50Then Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son succeeded him.
Ahaziah King of Israel
51Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. 52He did evil† in the eyes of the LORD, because he walked in the ways of his father and mother and in the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. 53He served and worshiped Baal† and provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father† had done.
