Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 21:19

Charles Ellicott Commentary

1 Kings 21:19

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

1 Kings 21:19

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"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 (ASV)

Have you killed, and also taken possession? The stern, indignant brevity of the accusation, at once shaming the subterfuge by which Ahab shifts his guilt to Jezebel, and unmasking the real object of the whole crime, leaves the king speechless as to defense, unable to prevent the sentence which immediately follows. The marked particularity and emphasis of that sentence, “In the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your blood, even yours, preclude all explanations, which would seek its fulfillment in the fate of Jehoram (2 Kings 9:25); nor can such explanations be justified by reference to 1 Kings 21:29, for it is not this part of the sentence which is deferred by Ahab’s repentance. (See Note on 1 Kings 22:38.)