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This and the following book are called by the holy fathers the third and fourth book of Kings; but by the Hebrews, the first and second. They contain the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Juda, from the beginning of the reign of Solomon, to the captivity. As to the writer of these books, it seems most probable they were not written by one man; nor at one time; but as there was all along a succession of prophets in Israel, who recorded, by divine inspiration, the most remarkable things that happened in their days, these books seem to have been written by these prophets. See 2 Chronicles 9:29; 12:15; 13:22; 20:34; 26:22; 32:32. (For more information, see the article [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08652a.htm THIRD AND FOURTH KINGS] in the Catholic Encyclopedia.)[http://www.newadvent.org/bible/1ki000.htm]

This and the following book are called by the holy fathers the third and fourth book of Kings; but by the Hebrews, the first and second. They contain the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Juda, from the beginning of the reign of Solomon, to the captivity. As to the writer of these books, it seems most probable they were not written by one man; nor at one time; but as there was all along a succession of prophets in Israel, who recorded, by divine inspiration, the most remarkable things that happened in their days, these books seem to have been written by these prophets. See 2 Chronicles 9:29; 12:15; 13:22; 20:34; 26:22; 32:32. (For more information, see the article [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08652a.htm THIRD AND FOURTH KINGS] in the Catholic Encyclopedia.)[https://www.newadvent.org/bible/1ki000.htm]

==Chapter 1==

==Chapter 1==

[1] Now King David was old and advanced in years; and although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm.  

[1] Now King David was old and advanced in years; and although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm.  

[5] And Ahab said to Obadi'ah, "Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys; perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals."  

[5] And Ahab said to Obadi'ah, "Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys; perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals."  

[6] So they divided the land between them to pass through it; Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadi'ah went in another direction by himself.  

[6] So they divided the land between them to pass through it; Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadi'ah went in another direction by himself.  

[7]  

[7] And as Obadi'ah was on the way, behold, Eli'jah met him; and Obadi'ah recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, "Is it you, my lord Eli'jah?"  

 

And as Obadi'ah was on the way, behold, Eli'jah met him; and Obadi'ah recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, "Is it you, my lord Eli'jah?"  

[8] And he answered him, "It is I. Go, tell your lord, `Behold, Eli'jah is here.'"  

[8] And he answered him, "It is I. Go, tell your lord, `Behold, Eli'jah is here.'"  

[15] And Eli'jah said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today."  

[15] And Eli'jah said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today."  

[16] So Obadi'ah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Eli'jah.  

[16] So Obadi'ah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Eli'jah.  

[17]  

[17] When Ahab saw Eli'jah, Ahab said to him, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?"  

 

When Ahab saw Eli'jah, Ahab said to him, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?"  

[18] And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father's house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and followed the Ba'als.  

[18] And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father's house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and followed the Ba'als.  

[19] Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Ba'al and the four hundred prophets of Ashe'rah, who eat at Jez'ebel's table."  

[19] <u>Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Ba'al and the four hundred prophets of Ashe'rah, who eat at Jez'ebel's table."</u>

[20]  

[20] So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel, and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.  

 

So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel, and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.  

[21] And Eli'jah came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Ba'al, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.  

[21] And Eli'jah came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Ba'al, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.  

[28] And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them.  

[28] And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them.  

[29] And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice; no one answered, no one heeded.  

[29] And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice; no one answered, no one heeded.  

[30]  

[30] Then Eli'jah said to all the people, "Come near to me"; and all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down;  

 

Then Eli'jah said to all the people, "Come near to me"; and all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down;  

[31] Eli'jah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, "Israel shall be your name";  

[31] Eli'jah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, "Israel shall be your name";  

[34] And he said, "Do it a second time"; and they did it a second time. And he said, "Do it a third time"; and they did it a third time.  

[34] And he said, "Do it a second time"; and they did it a second time. And he said, "Do it a third time"; and they did it a third time.  

[35] And the water ran round about the altar, and filled the trench also with water.  

[35] And the water ran round about the altar, and filled the trench also with water.  

[36]  

[36] And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Eli'jah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.  

 

And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Eli'jah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.  

[37] Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that thou, O LORD, art God, and that thou hast turned their hearts back."  

[37] Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that thou, O LORD, art God, and that thou hast turned their hearts back."  

[39] And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God."  

[39] And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God."  

[40] And Eli'jah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Ba'al; let not one of them escape." And they seized them; and Eli'jah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and killed them there.  

[40] And Eli'jah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Ba'al; let not one of them escape." And they seized them; and Eli'jah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and killed them there.  

[41]  

[41] And Eli'jah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of the rushing of rain."  

 

And Eli'jah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of the rushing of rain."  

[42] So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Eli'jah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.  

[42] So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Eli'jah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.  

[44] And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising out of the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, `Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'"  

[44] And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising out of the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, `Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'"  

[45] And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.  

[45] And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.  

[46] And the hand of the LORD was on Eli'jah; and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.  

[46] And the hand of the LORD was on Eli'jah; and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

 

==Chapter 19==

==Chapter 19==

[1] Ahab told Jez'ebel all that Eli'jah had done, and how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.  

[1] Ahab told Jez'ebel all that Eli'jah had done, and how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.  

[5] The messengers came again, and said, "Thus says Ben-ha'dad: `I sent to you, saying, "Deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children";  

[5] The messengers came again, and said, "Thus says Ben-ha'dad: `I sent to you, saying, "Deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children";  

[6] nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants, and lay hands on whatever pleases them, and take it away.'"  

[6] nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants, and lay hands on whatever pleases them, and take it away.'"  

[7]  

[7] Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, "Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble; for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him."  

 

Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, "Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble; for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him."  

[8] And all the elders and all the people said to him, "Do not heed or consent."  

[8] And all the elders and all the people said to him, "Do not heed or consent."  

[11] And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, `Let not him that girds on his armor boast himself as he that puts it off.'"  

[11] And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, `Let not him that girds on his armor boast himself as he that puts it off.'"  

[12] When Ben-ha'dad heard this message as he was drinking with the kings in the booths, he said to his men, "Take your positions." And they took their positions against the city.  

[12] When Ben-ha'dad heard this message as he was drinking with the kings in the booths, he said to his men, "Take your positions." And they took their positions against the city.  

[13]  

[13] And behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel and said, "Thus says the LORD, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will give it into your hand this day; and you shall know that I am the LORD."  

 

And behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel and said, "Thus says the LORD, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will give it into your hand this day; and you shall know that I am the LORD."  

[14] And Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the LORD, By the servants of the governors of the districts." Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You."  

[14] And Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the LORD, By the servants of the governors of the districts." Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You."  

[15] Then he mustered the servants of the governors of the districts, and they were two hundred and thirty-two; and after them he mustered all the people of Israel, seven thousand.  

[15] Then he mustered the servants of the governors of the districts, and they were two hundred and thirty-two; and after them he mustered all the people of Israel, seven thousand.  

[16]  

[16] And they went out at noon, while Ben-ha'dad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the thirty-two kings who helped him.  

 

And they went out at noon, while Ben-ha'dad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the thirty-two kings who helped him.  

[17] The servants of the governors of the districts went out first. And Ben-ha'dad sent out scouts, and they reported to him, "Men are coming out from Sama'ria."  

[17] The servants of the governors of the districts went out first. And Ben-ha'dad sent out scouts, and they reported to him, "Men are coming out from Sama'ria."  

[18] He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; or if they have come out for war, take them alive."  

[18] He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; or if they have come out for war, take them alive."  

[19]  

[19] So these went out of the city, the servants of the governors of the districts, and the army which followed them.  

 

So these went out of the city, the servants of the governors of the districts, and the army which followed them.  

[20] And each killed his man; the Syrians fled and Israel pursued them, but Ben-ha'dad king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen.  

[20] And each killed his man; the Syrians fled and Israel pursued them, but Ben-ha'dad king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen.  

[21] And the king of Israel went out, and captured the horses and chariots, and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter.  

[21] And the king of Israel went out, and captured the horses and chariots, and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter.  

[22]  

[22] Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said to him, "Come, strengthen yourself, and consider well what you have to do; for in the spring the king of Syria will come up against you."  

 

Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said to him, "Come, strengthen yourself, and consider well what you have to do; for in the spring the king of Syria will come up against you."  

 

And the servants of the king of Syria said to him, "Their gods are gods of the hills, and so they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.  

[23] <u>And the servants of the king of Syria said to him, "Their gods are gods of the hills, and so they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.</u>

[24] And do this: remove the kings, each from his post, and put commanders in their places;  

[24] And do this: remove the kings, each from his post, and put commanders in their places;  

[25] and muster an army like the army that you have lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot; then we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they." And he hearkened to their voice, and did so.  

[25] and muster an army like the army that you have lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot; then we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they." And he hearkened to their voice, and did so.  

[26]  

[26] In the spring Ben-ha'dad mustered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.  

 

In the spring Ben-ha'dad mustered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.  

[27] And the people of Israel were mustered, and were provisioned, and went against them; the people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country.  

[27] And the people of Israel were mustered, and were provisioned, and went against them; the people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country.  

[28] And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, "Thus says the LORD, `Because the Syrians have said, "The LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys," therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.'"  

[28] And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, "Thus says the LORD, `Because the Syrians have said, "The LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys," therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.'"  

[29] And they encamped opposite one another seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle was joined; and the people of Israel smote of the Syrians a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day.  

[29] And they encamped opposite one another seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle was joined; and the people of Israel smote of the Syrians a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day.  

[30] And the rest fled into the city of Aphek; and the wall fell upon twenty-seven thousand men that were left.  

[30] And the rest fled into the city of Aphek; and the wall fell upon twenty-seven thousand men that were left. Ben-ha'dad also fled, and entered an inner chamber in the city.  

 

Ben-ha'dad also fled, and entered an inner chamber in the city.  

[31] And his servants said to him, "Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings; let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life."  

[31] And his servants said to him, "Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings; let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life."  

[33] Now the men were watching for an omen, and they quickly took it up from him and said, "Yes, your brother Ben-ha'dad." Then he said, "Go and bring him." Then Ben-ha'dad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.  

[33] Now the men were watching for an omen, and they quickly took it up from him and said, "Yes, your brother Ben-ha'dad." Then he said, "Go and bring him." Then Ben-ha'dad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.  

[34] And Ben-ha'dad said to him, "The cities which my father took from your father I will restore; and you may establish bazaars for yourself in Damascus, as my father did in Sama'ria." And Ahab said, "I will let you go on these terms." So he made a covenant with him and let him go.  

[34] And Ben-ha'dad said to him, "The cities which my father took from your father I will restore; and you may establish bazaars for yourself in Damascus, as my father did in Sama'ria." And Ahab said, "I will let you go on these terms." So he made a covenant with him and let him go.  

[35]  

[35] And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow at the command of the LORD, "Strike me, I pray." But the man refused to strike him.  

 

And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow at the command of the LORD, "Strike me, I pray." But the man refused to strike him.  

[36] Then he said to him, "Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you have gone from me, a lion shall kill you." And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion met him and killed him.  

[36] Then he said to him, "Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you have gone from me, a lion shall kill you." And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion met him and killed him.  

[41] Then he made haste to take the bandage away from his eyes; and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.  

[41] Then he made haste to take the bandage away from his eyes; and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.  

[42] And he said to him, "Thus says the LORD, `Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.'"  

[42] And he said to him, "Thus says the LORD, `Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.'"  

[43] And the king of Israel went to his house resentful and sullen, and came to Sama'ria.  

[43] And the king of Israel went to his house resentful and sullen, and came to Sama'ria.

 

==Chapter 21==

==Chapter 21==

[1] Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Sama'ria.  

[1] Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Sama'ria.