Definition: 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?
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Kings 22:39. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic passage about King Ahab. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse is basically saying that all of Ahab’s actions – his building projects, his lavish lifestyle, and even the cities he created – are now documented in a detailed history book called the “Book of Chronicles” about the kings of Israel. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Now the rest of the acts of Ahab…” : This refers to everything that happened after King Ahab’s reign, after he became king and started making his big projects. “…and all that he did…” : This is a broad statement – basically, everything he did during his time as king. "...and the ivory house which he made..." : This refers to the beautiful, opulent palace he built in Lebanon. It was a huge display of power and wealth. "...and all the cities that he built..." : This is the key part – he started building numerous cities throughout Israel. “[are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?” : This means that entire history of his reign, including all those cities and his actions, will be recorded in this historical record called the Book of Chronicles. What does it mean practically? This verse is a warning. It shows that Ahab's excessive pride and desire for power led him to become obsessed with building things – big palaces, extravagant cities – instead of focusing on God’s law and righteousness. It highlights how vanity and greed can lead people astray. In short: This verse describes a story of a king who prioritized his own desires over God's will, and that ultimately led to problems for Israel. Does this remind you of anything in the Bible? Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect it to a larger theme in the Bible (like sin, disobedience, or judgment)?