Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

1 Kings 22:38

Next

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

1 Kings 22:38 marks the grim and ignominious end of King Ahab of Israel, a stark fulfillment of divine prophecy.

Context of 1 Kings 22:38

This verse concludes the account of King Ahab's death in battle against the Syrians at Ramoth-gilead. Ahab, despite warnings from the prophet Micaiah, had disguised himself to enter the battle but was struck by a random arrow. The scene described here is the aftermath: his chariot, stained with his blood, was washed in the pool of Samaria, the capital city of his kingdom. The detail of "the dogs licked up his blood" is particularly significant, directly echoing a prophecy given by the prophet Elijah earlier in Ahab's reign.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Retribution and Judgment: The most prominent theme is the unwavering faithfulness of God to execute judgment. The phrase "according unto the word of the LORD which he spake" underscores that Ahab's death was not accidental but a direct consequence of his persistent wickedness, particularly his idolatry and his role in the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard (see 1 Kings 21:19).
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: This verse is a powerful demonstration of God's word coming to pass. Elijah had prophesied that "in the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine" (1 Kings 21:19). While not precisely the same location, the public nature of the pool of Samaria and the involvement of dogs signified the fulfillment of the curse in a humiliating way. Micaiah had also prophesied Ahab's defeat and death (1 Kings 22:28).
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Ahab's reign was marked by profound disobedience to God, influenced heavily by his wife Jezebel. This verse serves as a sober reminder that rejecting God's warnings and persisting in sin inevitably leads to severe consequences.
  • Public Humiliation: The washing of the chariot and the dogs licking blood in the "pool of Samaria," a public place, added an element of public disgrace to Ahab's death, contrasting sharply with the honor typically accorded to fallen kings.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "according unto the word of the LORD which he spake" (Hebrew: k'dvar YHWH asher dibber) emphasizes divine sovereignty and the certainty of God's prophetic utterances. The Hebrew word for "word," davar, carries a sense of action and event, meaning God's word is not just a statement but an active force that brings about what it declares. The imagery of "dogs licked up his blood" was a potent symbol of ignominy and judgment in ancient Near Eastern culture, often associated with a cursed or shameful death.

Practical Application

The account of King Ahab's end in 1 Kings 22:38 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God's Word is True: The fulfillment of prophecy reinforces the trustworthiness of God's promises and warnings found throughout Scripture. We can have confidence that what God says, He will do.
  • Accountability for Actions: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that there are indeed consequences for our choices, especially when we persistently disregard God's commands and prophetic warnings.
  • No One is Above God's Justice: Even a powerful king like Ahab was subject to God's ultimate justice. This teaches us humility and reverence for the Lord, recognizing that His authority transcends all human power.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 21:19 (7 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 44:25 (2 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 44:26 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.