Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.

1 KINGS 22:49KJV
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1 Kings 22:49 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 22:49 mean?

1 Kings 22:49 describes how Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, asked Jehoshaphat if his servants could join Jehoshaphat’s servants on the ships, but Jehoshaphat refused. The verse shows a request for cooperation between two kings that is politely declined.

Ahaziah, king of Israel, is speaking to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, after their previous alliance ended badly. The situation involves a proposed joint venture at sea, likely for trade or military purposes, but Jehoshaphat chooses not to participate. This decision marks a clear boundary between the two kingdoms after earlier troubles.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 22:49

  • "Servants" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved): This word is used twice in the verse, emphasizing the idea of official representatives or crews, not just household staff. The repetition highlights the proposed partnership at an official level.
  • "Ships" (אֳנִיָּה, ʾoniyyah): This word refers to large seafaring vessels, likely used for trade with distant lands. The mention of ships points to the economic or strategic importance of the request.
  • "Would" (אָבָה, avah): This word means "to be willing" or "to consent." Its use here makes it clear that Jehoshaphat made a deliberate choice not to agree, rather than simply ignoring the request.

Why 1 Kings 22:49 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jehoshaphat, after a failed alliance with Ahab, is now cautious and chooses not to enter another partnership with Ahab’s son, Ahaziah.
  • It shows a turning point in the relationship between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, with Jehoshaphat setting a boundary after previous negative experiences.
  • The refusal helps explain later events in the chapter, where Jehoshaphat’s ships are destroyed, suggesting that his decision to avoid further alliance may have been wise.

Where else these words appear

“ships” Hebrew H591 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
  • Job 9:26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

“Ahaziah” Hebrew H274 · used in 30 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:40 So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 9:21 And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.
  • 1 Chronicles 3:11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

“would” Hebrew H14 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
  • 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,

“Jehoshaphat” Hebrew H3092 · used in 75 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
  • 2 Kings 3:7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.