Holman Christian Standard Bible (110 page)
Read Holman Christian Standard Bible Online
Authors: B&H Publishing Group
28
Then the man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “This is what the
Lord
says: ‘Because the Arameans have said: Yahweh is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys, I will hand over all this great army to you. Then you will know that I am the
Lord
.' ”
Then the man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “This is what the
Lord
says: ‘Because the Arameans have said: Yahweh is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys, I will hand over all this great army to you. Then you will know that I am the
Lord
.' ”
29
They camped opposite each other for seven days. On the seventh day, the battle took place, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans — 100,000 foot soldiers in one day.
30
The ones who remained fled into the city of Aphek, and the wall fell on those 27,000 remaining men.
They camped opposite each other for seven days. On the seventh day, the battle took place, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans — 100,000 foot soldiers in one day.
30
The ones who remained fled into the city of Aphek, and the wall fell on those 27,000 remaining men.
Ben-hadad also fled and went into an inner room in the city.
31
His servants said to him, “Consider this: we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. So let's put
•sackcloth
around our waists and ropes around our heads, and let's go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.”
31
His servants said to him, “Consider this: we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. So let's put
•sackcloth
around our waists and ropes around our heads, and let's go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.”
32
So they dressed with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, went to the king of Israel, and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.' ”
So they dressed with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, went to the king of Israel, and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.' ”
So he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”
33
Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, so they quickly picked up on this and responded, “Yes, it is your brother Ben-hadad.”
Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, so they quickly picked up on this and responded, “Yes, it is your brother Ben-hadad.”
Then he said, “Go and bring him.”
So Ben-hadad came out to him, and Ahab had him come up into the chariot.
34
Then Ben-hadad said to him, “I restore to you the cities that my father took from your father, and you may set up marketplaces for yourself in Damascus, like my father set up in Samaria.”
34
Then Ben-hadad said to him, “I restore to you the cities that my father took from your father, and you may set up marketplaces for yourself in Damascus, like my father set up in Samaria.”
Ahab responded, “On the basis of this treaty, I release you.” So he made a treaty with him and released him.
Ahab Rebuked by the
Lord
Lord
35
One of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow prophet by the word of the
Lord
, “Strike me! ” But the man refused to strike him.
One of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow prophet by the word of the
Lord
, “Strike me! ” But the man refused to strike him.
36
He told him, “Because you did not listen to the voice of the
Lord
, mark my words: When you leave me, a lion will kill you.” When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him.
He told him, “Because you did not listen to the voice of the
Lord
, mark my words: When you leave me, a lion will kill you.” When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him.
37
The prophet found another man and said to him, “Strike me! ” So the man struck him, inflicting a wound.
38
Then the prophet went and waited for the king on the road. He disguised himself with a bandage over his eyes.
39
As the king was passing by, he cried out to the king and said, “Your servant marched out into the middle of the battle. Suddenly, a man turned aside and brought someone to me and said, ‘Guard this man! If he is ever missing, it will be your life in place of his life, or you will weigh out 75 pounds of silver.'
40
But while your servant was busy here and there, he disappeared.”
The prophet found another man and said to him, “Strike me! ” So the man struck him, inflicting a wound.
38
Then the prophet went and waited for the king on the road. He disguised himself with a bandage over his eyes.
39
As the king was passing by, he cried out to the king and said, “Your servant marched out into the middle of the battle. Suddenly, a man turned aside and brought someone to me and said, ‘Guard this man! If he is ever missing, it will be your life in place of his life, or you will weigh out 75 pounds of silver.'
40
But while your servant was busy here and there, he disappeared.”
The king of Israel said to him, “That will be your sentence; you yourself have decided it.”
41
He quickly removed the bandage from his eyes. The king of Israel recognized that he was one of the prophets.
42
The prophet said to him, “This is what the
Lord
says: ‘Because you released from your hand the man I had
•set
apart for destruction, it will be your life in place of his life and your people in place of his people.' ”
43
The king of Israel left for home resentful and angry, and he entered Samaria.
He quickly removed the bandage from his eyes. The king of Israel recognized that he was one of the prophets.
42
The prophet said to him, “This is what the
Lord
says: ‘Because you released from your hand the man I had
•set
apart for destruction, it will be your life in place of his life and your people in place of his people.' ”
43
The king of Israel left for home resentful and angry, and he entered Samaria.
1 Kings
Ahab and Naboth's Vineyard
21
Some time passed after these events. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard; it was in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
2
So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard so I can have it for a vegetable garden, since it is right next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”
Some time passed after these events. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard; it was in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
2
So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard so I can have it for a vegetable garden, since it is right next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”
3
But Naboth said to Ahab, “I will never give my fathers' inheritance to you.”
But Naboth said to Ahab, “I will never give my fathers' inheritance to you.”
4
So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angry, because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had told him. He had said, “I will not give you my fathers' inheritance.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and didn't eat any food.
So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angry, because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had told him. He had said, “I will not give you my fathers' inheritance.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and didn't eat any food.
5
Then his wife Jezebel came to him and said to him, “Why are you so upset that you refuse to eat? ”
Then his wife Jezebel came to him and said to him, “Why are you so upset that you refuse to eat? ”
6
“Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite,” he replied. “I told him: Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you a vineyard in its place. But he said, ‘I won't give you my vineyard! ' ”
“Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite,” he replied. “I told him: Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you a vineyard in its place. But he said, ‘I won't give you my vineyard! ' ”
7
Then his wife Jezebel said to him, “Now, exercise your royal power over Israel. Get up, eat some food, and be happy. For I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
8
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal. She sent the letters to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city.
9
In the letters, she wrote:
Then his wife Jezebel said to him, “Now, exercise your royal power over Israel. Get up, eat some food, and be happy. For I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
8
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal. She sent the letters to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city.
9
In the letters, she wrote:
Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people.
10
Then seat two
•wicked
men opposite him and have them testify against him, saying, “You have cursed God and the king! ” Then take him out and stone him to death.
10
Then seat two
•wicked
men opposite him and have them testify against him, saying, “You have cursed God and the king! ” Then take him out and stone him to death.
11
The men of his city, the elders and nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had commanded them, as was written in the letters she had sent them.
12
They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth at the head of the people.
13
The two wicked men came in and sat opposite him. Then the wicked men testified against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed God and the king! ” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones.
14
Then they sent word to Jezebel, “Naboth has been stoned to death.”
The men of his city, the elders and nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had commanded them, as was written in the letters she had sent them.
12
They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth at the head of the people.
13
The two wicked men came in and sat opposite him. Then the wicked men testified against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed God and the king! ” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones.
14
Then they sent word to Jezebel, “Naboth has been stoned to death.”
15
When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite who refused to give it to you for silver, since Naboth isn't alive, but dead.”
16
When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite to take possession of it.
When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite who refused to give it to you for silver, since Naboth isn't alive, but dead.”
16
When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite to take possession of it.
The
Lord
's Judgment on Ahab
Lord
's Judgment on Ahab
17
Then the word of the
Lord
came to Elijah the Tishbite:
18
“Get up and go to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria. You'll find him in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it.
19
Tell him, ‘This is what the
Lord
says: Have you murdered and also taken possession? ' Then tell him, ‘This is what the
Lord
says: In the place where the dogs licked Naboth's blood, the dogs will also lick your blood! ' ”
Then the word of the
Lord
came to Elijah the Tishbite:
18
“Get up and go to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria. You'll find him in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it.
19
Tell him, ‘This is what the
Lord
says: Have you murdered and also taken possession? ' Then tell him, ‘This is what the
Lord
says: In the place where the dogs licked Naboth's blood, the dogs will also lick your blood! ' ”
20
Ahab said to Elijah, “So, you have caught me, my enemy.”
Ahab said to Elijah, “So, you have caught me, my enemy.”
He replied, “I have caught you because you devoted yourself to do what is evil in the
Lord
's sight.
21
This is what the
Lord
says: ‘I am about to bring disaster on you and will sweep away your descendants:
Lord
's sight.
21
This is what the
Lord
says: ‘I am about to bring disaster on you and will sweep away your descendants:
I will eliminate all of Ahab's males,
both slave and free, in Israel;
both slave and free, in Israel;
22
I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked My anger and caused Israel to sin.
23
The
Lord
also speaks of Jezebel: The dogs will eat Jezebel in the plot of land at Jezreel:
I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked My anger and caused Israel to sin.
23
The
Lord
also speaks of Jezebel: The dogs will eat Jezebel in the plot of land at Jezreel:
24
He who belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, the dogs will eat,
and he who dies in the field, the birds of the sky will eat.' ”
He who belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, the dogs will eat,
and he who dies in the field, the birds of the sky will eat.' ”
25
Still, there was no one like Ahab, who devoted himself to do what was evil in the
Lord
's sight, because his wife Jezebel incited him.
26
He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols as the Amorites had, whom the
Lord
had dispossessed before the Israelites.
Still, there was no one like Ahab, who devoted himself to do what was evil in the
Lord
's sight, because his wife Jezebel incited him.
26
He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols as the Amorites had, whom the
Lord
had dispossessed before the Israelites.
27
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put
•sackcloth
over his body, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around subdued.
28
Then the word of the
Lord
came to Elijah the Tishbite:
29
“Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? I will not bring the disaster during his lifetime, because he has humbled himself before Me. I will bring the disaster on his house during his son's lifetime.”
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put
•sackcloth
over his body, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around subdued.
28
Then the word of the
Lord
came to Elijah the Tishbite:
29
“Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? I will not bring the disaster during his lifetime, because he has humbled himself before Me. I will bring the disaster on his house during his son's lifetime.”
1 Kings
Jehoshaphat's Alliance with Ahab
22
There was a lull of three years without war between Aram and Israel.
2
However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went to visit the king of Israel.
3
The king of Israel had said to his servants, “Don't you know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram? ”
4
So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight Ramoth-gilead? ”
There was a lull of three years without war between Aram and Israel.
2
However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went to visit the king of Israel.
3
The king of Israel had said to his servants, “Don't you know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram? ”
4
So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight Ramoth-gilead? ”
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
5
But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the
Lord
's will is.”
5
But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the
Lord
's will is.”
6
So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about 400 men, and asked them, “Should I go against Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain? ”
So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about 400 men, and asked them, “Should I go against Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain? ”
They replied, “March up, and the Lord will hand it over to the king.”
8
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man who can ask Yahweh, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man who can ask Yahweh, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
“The king shouldn't say that! ” Jehoshaphat replied.
9
So the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Hurry and get Micaiah son of Imlah! ”
So the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Hurry and get Micaiah son of Imlah! ”
10
Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, clothed in royal attire, were each sitting on his own throne. They were on the threshing floor at the entrance to Samaria's
•gate
, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them.
11
Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the
Lord
says: ‘You will gore the Arameans with these until they are finished off.' ”
12
And all the prophets were prophesying the same: “March up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, for the
Lord
will hand it over to the king.”
Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, clothed in royal attire, were each sitting on his own throne. They were on the threshing floor at the entrance to Samaria's
•gate
, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them.
11
Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the
Lord
says: ‘You will gore the Arameans with these until they are finished off.' ”
12
And all the prophets were prophesying the same: “March up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, for the
Lord
will hand it over to the king.”
Micaiah's Message of Defeat
13
The messenger who went to call Micaiah instructed him, “Look, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable for the king. So let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”
The messenger who went to call Micaiah instructed him, “Look, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable for the king. So let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”
14
But Micaiah said, “As the
Lord
lives, I will say whatever the
Lord
says to me.”
But Micaiah said, “As the
Lord
lives, I will say whatever the
Lord
says to me.”
15
So he went to the king, and the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war, or should we refrain? ”
So he went to the king, and the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war, or should we refrain? ”
Micaiah told him, “March up and succeed. Yahweh will hand it over to the king.”
16
But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of Yahweh? ”
But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of Yahweh? ”
17
So Micaiah said:
So Micaiah said:
I saw all Israel scattered on the hills
like sheep without a shepherd.
And the
Lord
said,
“They have no master;
let everyone return home in peace.”
like sheep without a shepherd.
And the
Lord
said,
“They have no master;
let everyone return home in peace.”
18
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn't I tell you he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster? ”
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn't I tell you he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster? ”
19
Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the
Lord
: I saw the
Lord
sitting on His throne, and the whole heavenly
•host
was standing by Him at His right hand and at His left hand.
20
And the
Lord
said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? ' So one was saying this and another was saying that.
Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the
Lord
: I saw the
Lord
sitting on His throne, and the whole heavenly
•host
was standing by Him at His right hand and at His left hand.
20
And the
Lord
said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? ' So one was saying this and another was saying that.
21
“Then a spirit came forward, stood before the
Lord
, and said, ‘I will entice him.'
“Then a spirit came forward, stood before the
Lord
, and said, ‘I will entice him.'
22
“The
Lord
asked him, ‘How? '
“The
Lord
asked him, ‘How? '
“He said, ‘I will go and become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.'
“Then He said, ‘You will certainly entice him and prevail. Go and do that.'
23
“You see, the
Lord
has put a lying spirit into the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the
Lord
has pronounced disaster against you.”
“You see, the
Lord
has put a lying spirit into the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the
Lord
has pronounced disaster against you.”
24
Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah came up, hit Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Did the Spirit of the
Lord
leave me to speak to you? ”
Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah came up, hit Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Did the Spirit of the
Lord
leave me to speak to you? ”
25
Micaiah replied, “You will soon see when you go to hide yourself in an inner chamber on that day.”
Micaiah replied, “You will soon see when you go to hide yourself in an inner chamber on that day.”
26
Then the king of Israel ordered, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, the king's son,
27
and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this guy in prison and feed him only bread and water until I come back safely.' ”
Then the king of Israel ordered, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, the king's son,
27
and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this guy in prison and feed him only bread and water until I come back safely.' ”
28
But Micaiah said, “If you ever return safely, the
Lord
has not spoken through me.” Then he said, “Listen, all you people! ”
But Micaiah said, “If you ever return safely, the
Lord
has not spoken through me.” Then he said, “Listen, all you people! ”
Ahab's Death
29
Then the king of Israel and Judah's King Jehoshaphat went up to Ramoth-gilead.
30
But the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal attire.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
Then the king of Israel and Judah's King Jehoshaphat went up to Ramoth-gilead.
30
But the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal attire.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
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