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?

1 KINGS 22:39KJV
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1 Kings 22:39 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 22:39 mean?

1 Kings 22:39 states that the rest of King Ahab’s deeds—including his building projects like the ivory house and the cities he constructed—are recorded in another historical book called the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. The verse serves as a summary note, pointing readers to other records for more details about Ahab’s reign.

This verse comes near the end of the account of Ahab, king of Israel, after describing his death in battle. The writer is addressing the reader, noting that not every detail of Ahab’s rule is included here, but that his accomplishments—especially his luxurious building works—are documented elsewhere. The mention of the ivory house highlights Ahab’s wealth and the grandeur of his reign.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 22:39

  • "Ivory" (שֵׁן, shen): This word refers to the valuable material from elephant tusks, emphasizing the luxury and extravagance of Ahab’s palace.
  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayit): Here, this word means a palace or grand residence, not just an ordinary home, underscoring the scale of Ahab’s construction.
  • "Book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This refers to a written record or scroll, pointing to an official historical record kept by the kingdom.
  • "Chronicles" (דִּבְרֵי, divrei; יָמִים, yamim): Literally “words” or “matters” and “days,” together meaning “the events of the days,” which is a way of referring to official annals or records of the kings.

Why 1 Kings 22:39 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the biblical account does not include every detail of Ahab’s reign, but that more information was available to the original audience.
  • The mention of the ivory house and city-building projects shows that Ahab was not only a military and political figure but also invested in impressive, luxurious construction, reflecting the prosperity and ambitions of his rule.
  • By referencing the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel, the verse connects the biblical narrative to other historical records, reminding readers that the Bible sometimes summarizes or selects events rather than providing a full biography.

Where else these words appear

“ivory” Hebrew H8127 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
  • Job 19:20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
  • Song of Solomon 5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

“Ahab” Hebrew H256 · used in 81 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 21:3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
  • 2 Kings 9:8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:

“rest” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
  • 2 Chronicles 28:26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.