Ahab’s Defeat and Death
Ahab and Jehoshaphat go up to Ramoth-gilead, but Ahab disguises himself while Jehoshaphat wears royal robes. The Aramean commanders mistake Jehoshaphat for Israel’s king, then turn away once they realize he is not the man they seek.
S29o the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 30And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. 31Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” 32When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Surely this is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. 33And when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.
Ahab is struck by an unsighted arrow and remains in his chariot until he dies at evening as the battle rages on. His body returns to Samaria, and even the washing of his chariot becomes a fulfillment of the LORD’s earlier word.
34However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!” 35The battle raged throughout that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. And the blood from his wound ran out onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died. 36As the sun was setting, the cry rang out in the army: 37So the king died and was brought to Samaria, where they buried him. 38And the chariot was washed at the pool of Samaria where the prostitutes bathed, and the dogs licked up Ahab’s blood, according to the word that the LORD had spoken.
The account closes by noting Ahab’s other acts and achievements, then records his death and Ahaziah’s succession.
39As for the rest of the acts of Ahab, along with all his accomplishments and the ivory palace and all the cities he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 40And Ahab rested with his fathers, and his son Ahaziah reigned in his place.