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1 Kings 21:23

KJV

And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

Read it in context Elijah Denounces Ahab and Jezebel
Start reading at 1 Kings 21:17 (1 Kings 21:17 to 1 Kings 21:24). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

The later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.

  1. 21:17 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
  2. 21:18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.
  3. 21:19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
  4. 21:20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
  5. 21:21 Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,
  6. 21:22 And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.
  7. 21:23 And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
  8. 21:24 Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: 1 Kings 21:17, 1 Kings 21:24, 1 Kings 11:4, Matthew 12:42

Who wrote it, and how we know

Jeremiah (traditional) From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It cites older court records as sources. 1 Kings 11:411 Kings 14:19
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Jeremiah.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated. The account ends during the exile, which sets the earliest possible date.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

Macro-Structure of 1 Kings

First Kings traces Solomon's reign and the divided kingdoms. Its evaluation of kings centers on faithfulness to the LORD. The book does not name its author.

1 Kings 2:3 1 Kings 11:9 1 Kings 12:20

Succession to David
1 Kings 1:1–2:46

FocusSolomon's throne secured

Connection to the wholeThe struggle over the succession leads to Solomon's established rule.
interpretation
Solomon's kingdom and temple
1 Kings 3:1–10:29

FocusWisdom, worship, and wealth

Connection to the wholeSolomon's wisdom, building projects, prayer, and wealth develop the kingdom's strength and the temple's place in Israel's life.
interpretation
The kingdom divided
1 Kings 11:1–16:34

FocusUnfaithfulness and rival kingdoms

Connection to the wholeSolomon's turning away and the division of the kingdom lead into successive reigns in Israel and Judah.
interpretation
Prophetic confrontation and royal choices
1 Kings 17:1–22:53 You are here · 21:23

FocusElijah, Ahab, and the word of the LORD

Connection to the wholeThe later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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