1 Kings 21:19

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 21:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, Hast thou killed and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, Hast thou killed and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
1 Kings 21:19 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, Hast thou killed and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, thus saith the Lord, hast thou killed, and also taken possession? etc.] Killed in order to possess, and now taken possession upon the murder; some versions, as the Vulgate Latin and Arabic, read without an interrogation, “thou hast killed and hath taken possession”, so Joseph Kimchi and Ben Melech; charging him with the murder of Naboth, and the unjust possession of his vineyard; the murder is ascribed to him, because his covetousness was the cause of it; and it was done by the contrivance of his wife; and it is highly probable Ahab knew more of it, and connived at it, and consented to it, than what is recorded, and however, by taking possession upon…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In the place where dogs licked, &c.--a righteous retribution of Providence. The prediction was accomplished, not in Jezreel, but in Samaria; and not on Ahab personally, in consequence of his repentance (Kg1 21:29), but on his son (Kg2 9:25). The words "in the place where" might be rendered "in like manner as."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? - These words rebuke especially Ahab’s indecent haste. He went to Jezreel the very day after Naboth’s execution 2 Kings 9:26. The prophecy following had a double fulfillment. The main fulfillment was by the casting of the dead body of Jehoram into Naboth’s plot of ground at Jezreel, where, like Naboth’s, it was left for the dogs to eat 2 Kings 9:25. This spot, which was just outside the city wall, and close to a gate 2 Kings 9:31, was probably the actual scene of Naboth’s execution. Here did dogs lick Ahab’s blood, that is, his son’s blood, the execution of the full retaliatory sentence having been deferred to the days of his son, formally and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Saying - Thou hast murdered an innocent man; and instead of repenting for it, hast added another piece of injustice and violence to it, and art going confidently and chearfully to reap the fruit of thy wickedness. Thy blood - The threatening was so directed at first; but afterwards, upon his humiliation, the punishment was transferred from him to his son, as is expressed, Kg1 21:29, yet upon Ahab's returning to sin, in the next chapter, he brings back the curse upon himself, and so it is no wonder if it be in some sort fulfilled in him also. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 21:20”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Hast thou killed: Gen 3:11, Gen 4:9, Gen 4:10; Sa2 12:9; Mic 3:1-4; Hab 2:9, Hab 2:12 In the place: This punishment, on Ahab's humiliation and repentance, was transferred from him to his son Jehoram ( Kg1 21:29), in whom it was literally accomplished. See the parallel texts. Kg1 22:38; Jdg 1:7; Sa2 12:11; Kg2 9:25, Kg2 9:26; Est 7:10; Psa 7:15, Psa 7:16; Psa 9:16, Psa 58:10, Psa 58:11; Mat 7:2 3 Kings (1 Kings) 21:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification