1 Kings 22:39

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?

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Ahab {H256}, and all that he did {H6213}, and the ivory {H8127} house {H1004} which he made {H1129}, and all the cities {H5892} that he built {H1129}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}?

Other activities of Ach'av's reign, all his accomplishments, the ivory palace he built and all the cities he built are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

As for the rest of the acts of Ahab, along with all his accomplishments and the ivory palace and all the cities he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

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

Commentary

1 Kings 22:39 provides a summary statement of the reign of King Ahab of Israel, particularly highlighting his significant building projects and the infamous "ivory house." This verse marks the concluding remarks about his earthly achievements just before the narrative shifts to his death in battle.

Context

This verse comes at the end of Ahab's reign, immediately preceding the account of his death in the battle against Ramoth-Gilead. Ahab was one of the most wicked kings of Israel, known for his infamous reign, marked by widespread idolatry and evil practices, largely influenced by his Phoenician wife, Jezebel. Despite his spiritual failings, he was a powerful and prosperous king in terms of material wealth and military strength. The phrase "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" refers to official state records, distinct from the biblical Book of Kings itself, indicating that the biblical account is a selective, theologically-driven history, pointing to a larger body of contemporary historical documents.

Key Themes

  • Earthly Legacy vs. Spiritual Standing: The verse emphasizes Ahab's tangible accomplishmentsโ€”his "ivory house" and built cities. These stand in stark contrast to his spiritual legacy of leading Israel into deep idolatry and rebellion against God. It highlights the biblical perspective that outward success does not equate to divine favor or a righteous life.
  • Material Wealth and Pride: The "ivory house" symbolizes extreme luxury and the accumulation of wealth. This opulence was often achieved through injustice, as exemplified by the incident of Naboth's vineyard, revealing the moral decay beneath the outward splendor.
  • Historical Record and Divine Sovereignty: The mention of the "book of the chronicles" underscores the meticulous keeping of historical records, even for unrighteous kings. It subtly reminds the reader that all human actions, whether good or evil, are recorded and fall under God's ultimate sovereignty and judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the ivory house" translates from the Hebrew beit hashen (ื‘ึตึผื™ืช ื”ึทืฉึตึผืืŸ). This does not imply a house built entirely of ivory, but rather a palace extensively decorated with expensive ivory inlays, carvings, and furnishings. Such a structure would have been a magnificent display of wealth and power, indicative of Ahab's vast resources and perhaps oppressive taxation on his people to fund such lavish projects.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true lasting value is not found in material possessions, outward achievements, or the accumulation of wealth. While Ahab built impressive structures and cities, his reign is ultimately remembered in Scripture for his wickedness and his failure to lead his people in righteousness. For believers today, it prompts reflection on what kind of legacy we are building: one based on fleeting earthly treasures or one rooted in spiritual devotion and obedience to God (Matthew 6:19-21). God's assessment of a life often differs vastly from human accolades or material displays.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash 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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Amos 3:15

    And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.

  • 1 Kings 10:18

    Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.

  • 1 Kings 15:31

    Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

  • 1 Kings 16:5

    Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

  • Ezekiel 27:6

    [Of] the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches [of] ivory, [brought] out of the isles of Chittim.

  • 1 Kings 15:23

    The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.

  • 1 Kings 16:20

    Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
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