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 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 vivid scene serves as a stark and undeniable fulfillment of divine prophecy, underscoring God's unwavering justice and the certain consequences of persistent disobedience to His word. It marks the culmination of a life characterized by idolatry and rebellion against the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the narrative of King Ahab's final battle and death, which begins in [1 Kings 22](/1_kings/22 "1 Kings 22 - Ahab's Death at Ramoth-Gilead"). Ahab, despite repeated warnings from the prophet Micaiah that he would be defeated and die at Ramoth-gilead ([1 Kings 22:17-28](/1_kings/22-17 "1 Kings 22:17-28 - Micaiah's Prophecy to Ahab")), stubbornly allied with King Jehoshaphat of Judah to reclaim Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans. In a desperate attempt to evade the 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")). 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 "1 Kings 22:35-38 - Ahab's Death and Burial"), are the immediate aftermath, vividly demonstrating the fulfillment of God's earlier prophetic word against him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Samaria was the 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, the pool of Samaria would have been a prominent and public location, likely used for various purposes, including bathing or washing. The public washing of the chariot and the detail of dogs licking blood in such a place would have been a profound public humiliation for a king, contrasting sharply with the honorable burial typically accorded to monarchs. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, dogs were often scavengers, and their involvement in a death scene was a potent symbol of a cursed, dishonorable, and unburied demise, often associated with divine judgment. This imagery would have resonated deeply with the original audience, signifying utter disgrace and the absence of a proper, dignified end.
* **Key Themes:** The most dominant 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 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 word, whether in blessing or judgment. Another crucial theme is the **Consequences of Disobedience**. Ahab's reign was marked by profound idolatry and wickedness, heavily influenced by his wife Jezebel ([1 Kings 16:30-33](/1_kings/16-30 "1 Kings 16:30-33 - Ahab's Idolatry")). His persistent rejection of God's prophets and commands 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 consequence of his unrepentant sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Samaria (Hebrew, _Shomron'_):** This refers to the capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, built by Omri, Ahab's father. Its inclusion emphasizes the public nature of Ahab's disgrace. The king who ruled from this powerful city, the center of his idolatrous kingdom, now has his blood publicly cleansed within its very confines, underscoring the completeness of his downfall in the place of his power.
* **Dogs (Hebrew, _kelev'_):** In ancient Israelite culture, dogs were generally scavengers and considered unclean animals, often associated with contempt, impurity, and a cursed death. The detail of dogs licking Ahab's blood is not merely descriptive but deeply symbolic, signifying an utterly dishonorable and ignominious end, a direct fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy that dogs would lick his blood in the place 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, _davar'_):** This term is crucial, as it signifies more than just spoken utterance; it carries the weight of an active, effective force. God's "word" is not merely a statement but a decree that brings about what it declares. The 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 prophetic declaration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [one] washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria":** The blood-soaked chariot, a symbol of the king's authority and battle presence, is brought back to the capital. 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 but of practical cleanup, yet it occurs in a prominent location, making the king's fate a public spectacle.
* **"and the dogs licked up his blood":** This is the most striking and horrifying detail, 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 and the divine judgment on his life of wickedness. It represents a death devoid of honor and proper burial rites, a truly ignoble end.
* **"and they washed his armour":** This detail, alongside the chariot, completes the picture of the aftermath. The king's battle gear, which should have protected him, 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.
* **"according unto the word of the LORD which he spake":** This concluding phrase is the theological climax of the verse. It 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.

#### Literary Devices
The passage makes powerful use of several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, 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 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. **Symbolism** is also heavily employed, particularly with the "dogs licking up his blood," which symbolizes utter disgrace, a cursed death, and the absence of a proper 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. Finally, the narrative employs **Contrast** between Ahab's former power and his humiliating, undignified end, underscoring the severity of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 22:38 stands as a profound testament to the unwavering truthfulness and sovereign power of God's word. It demonstrates that divine judgment for unrepentant sin is certain and inescapable, even for the most powerful of kings. Ahab's ignominious end serves as a stark reminder that God is not mocked; His warnings are to be heeded, and His justice will ultimately prevail. The 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 control over the course of human events, even those that appear to be accidental. This event reinforces the biblical principle that there are indeed dire consequences for persistent disobedience and idolatry, and no one 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 sobering lessons for believers today. It powerfully reminds us that God's word is utterly trustworthy and true, both in its promises and its warnings. Just as Elijah's prophecy against Ahab came to pass with precise and humiliating detail, so too can we be 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 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? The fact that even a king faced such public and ignominious judgment should instill in us a profound reverence for God's holiness and justice. It calls us to genuine repentance, humility, and a steadfast commitment to obedience, knowing that our actions have eternal consequences and that God's eye is upon all.

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

### 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 symbol of utter disgrace and a cursed, unburied death in ancient Near Eastern culture, was fulfilled. This detail underscores the precision and 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")), 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. The "random" arrow was, in fact, God's instrument to bring about the prophesied judgment, demonstrating that no human effort or disguise can thwart the divine will.

**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 dogs in such a visible place ensured that Ahab's humiliating end was a public spectacle, contrasting sharply with the honor typically accorded to a fallen king. It served as a visible testament to God's judgment, enacted in the very place where Ahab had exercised his unrighteous authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ignominious death of King Ahab in 1 Kings 22:38, a direct consequence of his unrepentant sin and rebellion against God, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate judgment that awaits all who reject God's word. Ahab's blood, licked by dogs, symbolizes the wages of sin, which is death and disgrace ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Yet, in profound contrast, the New Testament reveals the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed not in judgment for His own sin, but as a perfect, 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 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 righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The certainty of God's word, so evident in Ahab's judgment, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the promises of salvation and eternal life offered through faith in Christ ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Ahab's death reminds us of the terrible cost of sin, while Christ's death reveals the immeasurable grace and love of God, providing a way of escape from the judgment that all humanity deserves ([Hebrews 9:27-28](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27-28 - Appointed to Die Once")).

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.