1 kings 16:29 - In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel. Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.

Generated Verse: 1 kings 16:29

What does "1 kings 16:29" mean?


This verse is a straightforward piece of historical narrative, setting the stage for the reign of Ahab, a significant and often criticized king of Israel. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah...": This establishes a chronological marker. It tells us that Ahab's reign in the northern kingdom of Israel began in the 38th year of Asa's reign in the southern kingdom of Judah. The books of Kings often use the reigns of kings in Judah to provide a timeline for events in Israel and vice versa.
"...Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel.": This introduces Ahab, identifying him as the son of Omri. Omri was a previous king of Israel and founder of a significant dynasty.
"Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.": This specifies the length of Ahab's reign (22 years) and the location of his capital city (Samaria). Omri had established Samaria as the capital, and Ahab continued to rule from there.

In summary, this verse provides the following key information:

Timeframe: It anchors Ahab's reign in relation to the reign of Asa in Judah.
Introduction of a Key Figure: It introduces Ahab, son of Omri, as the new king of Israel.
Length of Reign: It tells us Ahab reigned for 22 years.
Capital City: It tells us Ahab's capital was Samaria.

Why is this verse important?

This verse is more than just a historical note. Ahab's reign is significant in the Bible because he is depicted as one of the most wicked kings of Israel. He promoted the worship of Baal, a foreign god, largely due to the influence of his wife, Jezebel. The stories surrounding Ahab and Jezebel involve the prophet Elijah and are central to understanding the religious conflicts and moral decline described in the books of Kings. This verse sets the stage for those events.

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