Now aBen-hadad king of Aram gathered all his military force, band there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and cbesieged Samaria and fought against it. 2 Then he sent messengers to the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad, 3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your most beautiful wives and children are also mine.’” 4 Then the king of Israel answered and said, “It is according to your word, my lord, O king; I am yours, and all that I have.” 5 Then the messengers returned and said, “Thus says 1Ben-hadad, ‘Surely, I sent to you saying, “You shall give me your silver and your gold and your wives and your children,” 6 but about this time tomorrow I will send my servants to you, and they will search your house and the houses of your servants; and 1whatever is desirable in your eyes, they will put in their hand and carry away.’” 7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Please know and asee how this man is looking for trouble; for he sent to me for my wives and my children and my silver and my gold, and I withheld nothing from him.” 8 And all the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.” 9 So he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, “Say to my lord the king, ‘All that you sent for to your servant at the first I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’” And the messengers departed and brought him word again. 10 Then Ben-hadad sent to him and said, “May athe gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria will be sufficient for 1a handful for all the people who 2follow me.” 11 Then the king of Israel answered and said, “Speak to him, ‘aLet not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.’” 12 Now it happened that when Ben-hadad heard this message, as ahe was drinking 1with the kings in the booths, he said to his servants, “Station yourselves.” So they stationed themselves against the city. 13 Now behold, a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, aI will deliver them into your hand today, and byou shall know that I am Yahweh.’” 14 And Ahab said, “By whom?” So he said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall 1begin the battle?” And he said, “You.” 15 Then he mustered the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and there were 232; and after them he mustered all the people, even all the sons of Israel, 7,000. 16 And they went out at noon, while aBen-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths 1with the thirty-two kings who helped him. 17 And the young men of the rulers of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out and they told him, saying, “Men have come out from Samaria.” 18 aThen he said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive; or if they have come out for war, take them alive.” 19 So these went out from the city, the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and the military force which followed them. 20 And they each struck his man; and the Arameans fled and Israel pursued them, and Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on a horse with horsemen. 21 And the king of Israel went out and struck down the horses and chariots, and struck the Arameans with a great slaughter. 22 Then athe prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself and know and see what you have to do; for bat the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you.” 23 Now the servants of the king of Aram said to him, “aTheir gods are gods of the mountains, therefore they were stronger than we; but rather let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we will be stronger than they. 24 Do this thing: remove the kings, each from his place, and put captains in their place, 25 and you shall number a military force like the military force that you have lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot. Then we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we will be stronger than they.” And he listened to their voice and did so.
Israel Fights the Arameans
26 aNow it happened at the turn of the year, that Ben-hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to bAphek to fight against Israel. 27 Now the sons of Israel were mustered and were provided for and went to meet them; and the sons of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of goats, abut the Arameans filled the land. 28 Then aa man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel and said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Because the Arameans have said, “bYahweh is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys,” therefore cI will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am Yahweh.’” 29 So they camped one opposite the other seven days. Now it happened that on the seventh day the battle was joined, and the sons of Israel struck down of the Arameans 100,000 foot soldiers in one day. 30 But the rest fled to aAphek into the city, and the wall fell on 27,000 men who were left. And Ben-hadad fled and came into the city binto an inner chamber. 31 aThen his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are kings of lovingkindness, please let us bput sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will preserve your 1life.” 32 So athey girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, “bYour servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” And he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” 33 Now the men interpreted this as an omen, and hastily 1catching his word said, “Your brother Ben-hadad.” Then he said, “Go, bring him.” Then Ben-hadad came out to him, and he 2took him up into the chariot. 34 And Ben-hadad said to him, “aThe cities which my father took from your father I will return, and you shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria.” Ahab said, “And I will let you go with this covenant.” So he cut a covenant with him and let him go.
A Prophecy Enrages Ahab
35 Now a certain man of athe sons of the prophets said to 1another bby the word of Yahweh, “Please strike me.” But the man refused to strike him. 36 Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of Yahweh, behold, as soon as you walk away from me, aa lion will strike you down.” And as soon as he had walked away from him, a lion found him and struck him down. 37 Then he found another man and said, “Please 1strike me.” And the man 2struck him, 3wounding him. 38 So the prophet walked away and stood by, for the king by the way, and adisguised himself with a bandage over his eyes. 39 Now it happened that as the king was passing by, he cried out to the king and said, “Your servant went out into the midst of the battle; and behold, a man turned aside and brought a man to me and said, ‘Guard this man; if for any reason he is missing, athen your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a 1talent of silver.’ 40 Now it happened that while your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.” 41 Then he hastily took the bandage away from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him, that he was of the prophets. 42 And he said to him, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore ayour 1life shall go for his 1life, and your people for his people.’” 43 So athe king of Israel went to his house sullen and enraged, and came to Samaria.
Ahab Takes Possession of Naboth’s Vineyard
Now it happened after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in aJezreel beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “aGive me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden because it is close beside my house, and I will give you a better vineyard than it in its place; if it is good in your sight, I will give you the price of 1it in money.” 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “Yahweh forbid me athat I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 4 aSo Ahab came into his house sullen and enraged because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and ate no 1food. 5 But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “How is it that your spirit is so sullen that you are not eating 1food?” 6 So he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you a vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” 7 And Jezebel his wife said to him, “aDo you now exercise kingship over Israel? Arise, eat bread, and let your heart be merry; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” 8 aSo she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and sent letters to bthe elders and to the nobles who were living with Naboth in his city. 9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, “Call for a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people; 10 and seat two avile men before him, and let them testify against him, saying, ‘bYou 1cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and cstone him so that he will die.” 11 So the men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them, just as it was written in the letters which she had sent them. 12 They acalled for a fast and seated Naboth at the head of the people. 13 Then the two vile men came in and sat before him; and the vile men testified against him, against Naboth, before the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” aSo they took him outside the city and stoned him with stones and he died. 14 Then they sent word to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned and is dead.” 15 Now it happened that when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” 16 Now it happened that when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
Yahweh Speaks Against Ahab
17 Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 18 “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, awho is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth where he has gone down to take possession of it. 19 And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “aHave you murdered and also taken possession?”’ And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “bIn the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth the dogs will lick up your blood, even yours.”’” 20 And Ahab said to Elijah, “aHave you found me, O my enemy?” And he 1answered, “I have found you,bbecause you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh. 21 Behold, I will bring evil upon you, and awill utterly sweep you away, and will cut off from Ahab every 1male, both bond and free in Israel; 22 and aI will make your house blike the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger, and because you chave made Israel sin. 23 Of Jezebel also has Yahweh spoken, saying, ‘aThe dogs will eat Jezebel in the 1district of Jezreel.’ 24 aThe one belonging to Ahab, who dies in the city, the dogs will eat, and the one who dies in the field the birds of the sky will eat.”
Ahab Humbles Himself
25 aSurely there was no one who sold himself to do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. 26 aAnd he acted very abominably in following idols, baccording to all that the Amorites had done, whom Yahweh dispossessed before the sons of Israel. 27 Now it happened when Ahab heard these words, that ahe tore his clothes and put 1on sackcloth and fasted, and he lay in sackcloth and went about 2despondently. 28 Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house ain his son’s days.”
Ahab Battles Against Aram
So 1they lived for three years without war between Aram and Israel. 2 aNow it happened in the third year, that bJehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 3 Then the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that aRamoth-gilead belongs to us, but we are sitting still so as not to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?” 4 So he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “aI am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
Ahab Hates Micaiah
5 Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire 1first for the word of Yahweh.” 6 Then athe king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 7 But aJehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of Yahweh here that we may inquire of him?” 8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 9 Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Hasten to bring Micaiah son of Imlah.” 10 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, clothed in their royal garments, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and aall the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made ahorns of iron for himself and said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘bWith these you will gore the Arameans until they are consumed.’” 12 All the prophets were also prophesying thus, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, and Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king.”
Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
13 Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets, as if from one mouth, are good towards the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.” 14 But Micaiah said, “aAs Yahweh lives, what bYahweh says to me, that I shall speak.” 15 Then he came to the king, and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he said to him, “aGo up and succeed, and Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king.” 16 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear that you will speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?” 17 So he said,
“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
aLike sheep which have no shepherd.
And Yahweh said,
‘These have no master.
Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”
18 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “aDid I not say to you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” 19 Then 1Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of Yahweh. aI saw Yahweh sitting on His throne, and ball the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. 20 And Yahweh said, ‘Who will entice Ahab so that he will go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before Yahweh and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and abe a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You shall entice him and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ 23 So now, behold, aYahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; but Yahweh has spoken calamity against you.” 24 Then aZedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “bHow did the Spirit of Yahweh pass from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you will see on that day when you aenter an inner room to hide.” 26 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the commander of the city and to Joash the king’s son; 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “aPut this man in prison and feed him 1sparingly with bread and water until I come back safely.”’” 28 And Micaiah said, “aIf you indeed return safely, Yahweh has not spoken by me.” And he said, “bListen, all you people.”
The Death of Ahab
29 So athe king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “aI will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your garments.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle. 31 Now athe king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two commanders of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with small or great, but with the king of Israel alone.” 32 Now it happened that when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Surely it is the king of Israel,” and they turned aside to fight against him, and Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 So it happened that when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 34 Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel 1in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn 2around and take me out of the 3fight, afor I am severely wounded.” 35 Now the battle 1raged that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot in front of the Arameans, and died at evening, and the blood from the wound ran into the bottom of the chariot. 36 aThen a shout of lament passed throughout the camp close to sunset, saying, “Every man to his city and every man to his land.” 37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria. 38 And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (now the harlots bathed themselves there), aaccording to the word of Yahweh which He spoke. 39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did and athe ivory house which he built and all the cities which 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 became king in his place.
Jehoshaphat Reigns over Judah
41 aNow Jehoshaphat the son of Asa became king over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 aAnd he walked in all the way of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it, doing what is right in the sight of Yahweh. bHowever, the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places. 44 aJehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel. 45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might which he showed and how he warred, are they not written ain the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 46 And the remnant of athe male cult prostitutes who remained in the days of his father Asa, he purged from the land. 47 Now athere was no king in Edom; a deputy was king. 48 Jehoshaphat made aships of Tarshish to go to bOphir for gold, but cthey did not go for the ships were broken at dEzion-geber. 49 Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships.” But Jehoshaphat was not willing. 50 aAnd Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David, and Jehoram his son became king in his place.
Ahaziah Reigns over Israel
51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab abecame king over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. 52 And he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and awalked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. 53 aSo he served Baal and worshiped him and provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger, according to all that his father had done.