King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 22:39 Mean?

1 Kings 22:39 in the King James Version says “Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he bui...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?”

1 Kings 22:39 · KJV

Context

37

So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. was brought: Heb. came

38

And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.

39

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

40

So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

41

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

Read 1 Kings 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of ahab's death and jehoshaphat's alliance, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְיֶתֶר1 of 10

“And the rest”

wə·ye·ṯer

H3499
דִּבְרֵי2 of 10

“of the acts”

diḇ·rê

H1697
אַחְאָב3 of 10

“of Ahab”

'aḥ·'āḇ

H256
וְכָל4 of 10

“and all”

wə·ḵāl

H3605
אֲשֶׁר5 of 10

“that”

'ă·šer

H834
עָשָׂה6 of 10

“he did”

'ā·śāh

H6213
וּבֵית7 of 10

“and the palace”

ū·ḇêṯ

H1004
הַשֵּׁן8 of 10

“of ivory”

haš·šên

H8127
אֲשֶׁר9 of 10

“which”

'ă·šer

H834
בָּנָה10 of 10

“he built”

bā·nāh

H1129

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 22:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 22:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 3:151 Kings 14:191 Kings 16:5Psalms 45:81 Kings 10:221 Kings 15:31

Test Your Knowledge

1 Kings 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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