1 Kings 22:38

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And one washed {H7857} the chariot {H7393} in the pool {H1295} of Samaria {H8111}; and the dogs {H3611} licked up {H3952} his blood {H1818}; and they washed {H7364} his armour {H2185}; according unto the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} which he spake {H1696}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They washed the chariot at the Pool of Shomron where the prostitutes bathed, and the dogs licked up his blood, in keeping with the word ADONAI had spoken.

Berean Standard Bible

And the chariot was washed at the pool of Samaria where the prostitutes bathed, and the dogs licked up Ahab’s blood, according to the word that the LORD had spoken.

American Standard Version

And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood (now the harlots washed themselves there); according unto the word of Jehovah which he spake.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The grim account of 1 Kings 22:38 vividly details the ignominious end of King Ahab of Israel, where his blood-stained chariot was washed in the public pool of Samaria, and dogs licked up his blood. This scene serves as a stark and undeniable fulfillment of divine prophecy, underscoring God's unwavering justice and the certain, humiliating consequences of persistent disobedience to His revealed word, marking the culmination of a life characterized by profound idolatry and rebellion against the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the somber conclusion to the narrative of King Ahab's final battle and death, which dominates [1 Kings 22](/1_kings/22 "1 Kings 22 - Ahab's Final Battle and Death"). The preceding verses detail Ahab's stubborn decision to go to war against Ramoth-gilead, despite the clear and consistent warnings from the prophet Micaiah, who foretold his defeat and death ([1 Kings 22:17-28](/1_kings/22-17-28 "1 Kings 22:17-28 - Micaiah's Prophecy to Ahab")). In a futile attempt to circumvent this prophecy, Ahab disguised himself, but a seemingly random arrow struck him ([1 Kings 22:34](/1_kings/22-34 "1 Kings 22:34 - The Random Arrow Strikes Ahab")). He bled out in his chariot throughout the day, dying at sunset. The journey back to Samaria and the subsequent washing of his chariot and armor, as described in [1 Kings 22:35-38](/1_kings/22-35-38 "1 Kings 22:35-38 - Ahab's Death and Burial"), are the immediate aftermath, serving as the dramatic and undeniable fulfillment of God's earlier prophetic word against him. The narrative meticulously connects Ahab’s end to his past sins, particularly his murder of Naboth, setting the stage for divine retribution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Samaria served as the strategically important and politically significant capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, established by Omri, Ahab's father ([1 Kings 16:24](/1_kings/16-24 "1 Kings 16:24 - Omri Founds Samaria")). As the seat of royal power and a prominent urban center, the pool of Samaria would have been a public and well-known location, likely utilized for various communal purposes, including water supply, bathing, or washing. The public washing of the chariot and, more strikingly, the detail of dogs licking blood in such a visible place, would have been an act of profound public humiliation for a king, contrasting sharply with the honorable burial and mourning rites typically accorded to monarchs. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, dogs were generally scavengers and considered unclean animals, often associated with contempt, impurity, and a cursed, unburied demise. Their involvement in a death scene was a potent symbol of divine judgment and utter disgrace, resonating deeply with the original audience as a sign of a truly ignoble end.
* **Key Themes:** The most dominant and overarching theme in [1 Kings 22](/1_kings/22 "1 Kings 22 - Ahab's Final Battle and Death") and culminating in this verse is **Divine Retribution and Prophetic Fulfillment**. Ahab's death is explicitly stated to be "according unto the word of the LORD," directly linking it to Elijah's earlier, severe prophecy concerning Ahab's murder of Naboth and seizure of his vineyard ([1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab")). This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant word, whether in blessing or in judgment, demonstrating that His decrees are certain to come to pass. Another crucial theme is the **Consequences of Persistent Disobedience**. Ahab's reign was characterized by profound idolatry, wickedness, and a consistent rejection of God's prophets, heavily influenced by his Phoenician wife Jezebel ([1 Kings 16:30-33](/1_kings/16-30-33 "1 Kings 16:30-33 - Ahab's Idolatry and Wickedness")). His unrepentant sin ultimately led to this ignominious end, serving as a powerful warning that even kings are not exempt from divine justice. Finally, **Public Humiliation** is a key aspect, as the public nature of the pool and the involvement of dogs underscore the depth of Ahab's disgrace, a direct and visible consequence of his unrepentant sin and God's righteous judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pool (Hebrew, _bᵉrêkâh'_):** From the root meaning "to kneel," implying a resting place or reservoir, this term refers to a body of water, often a fish-pool or cistern. In 1 Kings 22:38, its use emphasizes a public, accessible body of water in Samaria. The washing of Ahab's chariot here, rather than a private, dignified location, underscores the public nature of his disgrace and the open display of God's judgment in the very heart of his capital.
* **Dogs (Hebrew, _keleb'_):** This word denotes a dog, often associated with yelping or attacking, and by euphemism, can refer to a male prostitute. In the biblical context, dogs were generally viewed as scavengers and unclean animals, symbolizing contempt, impurity, and a cursed, dishonorable end. The detail of dogs licking Ahab's blood is not merely descriptive but deeply symbolic, signifying an utterly ignominious and unburied demise, a direct fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy that dogs would lick his blood where Naboth's blood was shed ([1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy to Ahab")).
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to arrange" or "to speak," this term signifies more than a mere utterance; it carries the weight of a matter, a thing, a decree, or an effective promise. God's "word" is not just a statement but an active, potent force that brings about what it declares. The concluding phrase, "according unto the word of the LORD which he spake," affirms that Ahab's death, though seemingly accidental, was a divinely orchestrated event, the certain outcome of God's authoritative and effective prophetic declaration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [one] washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria":** The blood-soaked chariot, a potent symbol of the king's authority, military presence, and battle-readiness, is brought back to the capital city. Its public washing in the pool of Samaria signifies the public nature of Ahab's death and the necessary cleansing after his demise. This act is not one of honor or reverence but of practical cleanup, yet its occurrence in a prominent, public location transforms the king's fate into a public spectacle, a visible sign of his downfall.
* **"and the dogs licked up his blood":** This is the most striking, visceral, and horrifying detail of the verse, directly fulfilling the specific and humiliating curse pronounced by Elijah in [1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab"). The imagery of dogs consuming the king's blood underscores the depth of his disgrace, the absence of proper burial rites, and the severity of the divine judgment on his life of wickedness. It represents a death utterly devoid of honor, a truly ignoble and cursed end.
* **"and they washed his armour":** This detail, alongside the washing of the chariot, completes the picture of the aftermath of Ahab's death. The king's battle gear, which should have protected him and signified his royal might, is now cleaned of his blood, further emphasizing the finality and ignominy of his death. It speaks to the practicalities of dealing with the fallen king's effects, but within the context of the preceding details, it contributes to the sense of a complete and public stripping away of his royal dignity and power.
* **"according unto the word of the LORD which he spake":** This concluding phrase serves as the theological climax and interpretive key of the entire verse. It unequivocally removes any notion of chance or accident from Ahab's death. It explicitly attributes the entire grim scenario—the washing, the dogs, the public disgrace—to the sovereign will and prophetic declaration of Yahweh. It affirms God's absolute control over history and His unwavering faithfulness to execute His word, whether in blessing or in judgment, demonstrating that His purposes cannot be thwarted.

#### Literary Devices
The passage makes powerful use of several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Irony** is prominently displayed, as Ahab's elaborate disguise to avoid his prophesied death ([1 Kings 22:30](/1_kings/22-30 "1 Kings 22:30 - Ahab's Disguise")) ultimately fails, struck by a "random arrow" that was, in fact, divinely directed. This highlights the futility of human attempts to thwart God's sovereign plan. **Prophetic Fulfillment** is the overarching device, with the entire scene serving as a direct, precise, and undeniable realization of Elijah's curse against Ahab in [1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab"). The explicit statement "according unto the word of the LORD" emphasizes this divine orchestration. **Symbolism** is heavily employed, particularly with the "dogs licking up his blood," which vividly symbolizes utter disgrace, a cursed death, and the absence of a proper, honorable burial, contrasting sharply with the honor due to a king. The "pool of Samaria" functions as a symbol of public humiliation, transforming a place of daily life into a scene of royal ignominy and divine judgment. Finally, the narrative employs **Contrast** between Ahab's former power, wealth, and royal status and his humiliating, undignified end, underscoring the severity and certainty of divine judgment for unrepentant sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 22:38 stands as a profound and sobering testament to the unwavering truthfulness, sovereign power, and unyielding justice of God's word. It demonstrates that divine judgment for unrepentant sin is certain, inescapable, and meticulously executed, even for the most powerful and defiant of kings. Ahab's ignominious end serves as a stark reminder that God is not mocked; His warnings are to be heeded with utmost seriousness, and His justice will ultimately prevail over all human rebellion. The precise fulfillment of Elijah's specific prophecy, down to the detail of dogs licking blood, underscores God's meticulous attention to His declarations and His absolute, providential control over the course of human events, even those that appear to be accidental or random. This event powerfully reinforces the biblical principle that there are indeed dire and unavoidable consequences for persistent disobedience, idolatry, and the rejection of divine truth, and no one, regardless of status or power, is above accountability to the Creator.

* [1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy to Ahab")
* [2 Kings 9:36](/2_kings/9-36 "2 Kings 9:36 - Fulfillment of Elijah's Prophecy Against Jezebel")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The chilling account of Ahab's death in 1 Kings 22:38 offers timeless and profoundly sobering lessons for believers today. It powerfully reminds us that God's word is utterly trustworthy and true, both in its promises of blessing and its warnings of judgment. Just as Elijah's prophecy against Ahab came to pass with precise and humiliating detail, so too can we be absolutely confident in every word God has spoken, whether it concerns His faithfulness to us or the ultimate consequences of sin. This passage challenges us to deeply examine our own lives: are we, like Ahab, prone to disregard divine warnings, to pursue our own will over God's revealed truth, or to compromise with the world's idolatries and fleeting pleasures? The fact that even a king faced such public and ignominious judgment should instill in us a profound reverence for God's holiness, His unblemished justice, and His unfailing sovereignty. It calls us to genuine repentance, deep humility, and a steadfast commitment to wholehearted obedience, knowing that our actions have eternal consequences and that God's all-seeing eye is upon all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise fulfillment of prophecy in Ahab's death deepen your trust in the absolute reliability and authority of God's Word?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be tempted to disregard God's warnings or pursue your own desires over His explicit commands, mirroring Ahab's stubbornness?**
* **What does Ahab's ignominious end teach us about the immutable nature of divine justice and the profound seriousness of unrepentant sin in God's eyes?**
* **How can the certainty of God's judgment, as demonstrated here, motivate us to live lives of greater obedience, spiritual integrity, and humble submission to His will?**

### FAQ
**Why is the detail about dogs licking his blood so significant?**

Answer: The detail about dogs licking Ahab's blood is profoundly significant because it is a direct and literal fulfillment of the specific prophecy given by Elijah in [1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab"). In that prophecy, Elijah declared, "In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine." While the exact location shifted (from Naboth's vineyard to the pool of Samaria), the core element of dogs licking his blood, a potent symbol of utter disgrace, a cursed, and unburied death in ancient Near Eastern culture, was precisely fulfilled. This detail underscores the meticulous precision and unwavering certainty of God's judgment and the depth of Ahab's humiliation.

**Was Ahab's death truly "random" or divinely orchestrated?**

Answer: While the text states that Ahab was struck by a "random arrow" ([1 Kings 22:34](/1_kings/22-34 "1 Kings 22:34 - The Random Arrow Strikes Ahab")), the concluding phrase of [1 Kings 22:38](/1_kings/22-38 "1 Kings 22:38 - Ahab's Death Fulfilled Prophecy"), "according unto the word of the LORD which he spake," unequivocally affirms that his death was divinely orchestrated. This highlights God's sovereign control over all events, even those that appear to be by chance or accident from a human perspective. The "random" arrow was, in fact, God's precise instrument to bring about the prophesied judgment, demonstrating that no human effort, disguise, or cunning can thwart the divine will or escape the reach of God's justice.

**What does "the pool of Samaria" signify in this context?**

Answer: The "pool of Samaria" was a public and prominent location within the capital city of the Northern Kingdom, the very heart of Ahab's power and the center of his idolatrous reign. Its significance lies in the public nature of the event. The washing of the blood-stained chariot and the presence of scavenging dogs in such a visible and communal place ensured that Ahab's humiliating end was a public spectacle, contrasting sharply with the honor and dignity typically accorded to a fallen king. It served as a visible and undeniable testament to God's judgment, enacted in the very place where Ahab had exercised his unrighteous authority and fostered widespread idolatry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ignominious death of King Ahab in 1 Kings 22:38, a direct and public consequence of his unrepentant sin and persistent rebellion against God, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate judgment that awaits all who reject God's word and cling to their sin. Ahab's blood, publicly consumed by dogs, symbolizes the dire wages of sin, which is death and eternal disgrace ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Yet, in profound and glorious contrast, the New Testament reveals the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed not in judgment for His own sin—for He was sinless—but as a perfect, once-for-all atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). While Ahab faced the full, terrifying weight of God's righteous wrath for his disobedience, Christ willingly bore that wrath on the cross, becoming sin for us so that in Him we might become the very righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The unwavering certainty of God's word, so vividly evident in Ahab's judgment, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the promises of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life offered freely through faith in Christ Jesus ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Ahab's death serves as a stark reminder of the terrible cost of sin and the inevitability of judgment, while Christ's death reveals the immeasurable grace, boundless love, and perfect justice of God, providing a way of escape from the judgment that all humanity rightfully deserves ([Hebrews 9:27-28](/hebrews/9-27-28 "Hebrews 9:27-28 - Appointed to Die Once, Then the Judgment")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 21:19

And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Isaiah 44:25

That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise [men] backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

Isaiah 44:26

That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

Zechariah 1:4

Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

Zechariah 1:6

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Isaiah 48:3

I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did [them] suddenly, and they came to pass.