1 Kings 22 36

1 Kings 22:36 kjv

And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

1 Kings 22:36 nkjv

Then, as the sun was going down, a shout went throughout the army, saying, "Every man to his city, and every man to his own country!"

1 Kings 22:36 niv

As the sun was setting, a cry spread through the army: "Every man to his town. Every man to his land!"

1 Kings 22:36 esv

And about sunset a cry went through the army, "Every man to his city, and every man to his country!"

1 Kings 22:36 nlt

Just as the sun was setting, the cry ran through his troops: "We're done for! Run for your lives!"

1 Kings 22 verses

1 Kings 22 36 Meaning

The verse describes the immediate consequence of King Ahab's death in battle: an urgent proclamation swept through the Israelite army at sundown, ordering every soldier to abandon the fighting and return to their own city and land. This sudden, unorganized dispersal signals the complete collapse of the battle and the utter defeat of Israel, directly fulfilling the prophecy delivered earlier regarding the army becoming like sheep without a shepherd.

1 Kings 22 36 Context

Chapter Context: Chapter 22 of 1 Kings narrates King Ahab's fatal campaign to reclaim Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans. Despite the counsel of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Ahab chose to rely on the favorable prophecies of his 400 court prophets. He stubbornly rejected the dire warnings of Micaiah, the true prophet of the Lord, who prophesied that Ahab would not return in peace and that Israel would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Ahab, in an attempt to thwart Micaiah's prophecy, disguised himself, but divine judgment found him anyway through a randomly shot arrow that struck him fatally. He bled out in his chariot throughout the day as the battle raged.

Verse Context: Verse 36 directly follows the account of Ahab's sustained injury and death in battle (verse 35). His death signals an immediate, profound shift. With their king dead and leadership lost, the fighting ceases. The proclamation marks the formal recognition of defeat and the termination of the military engagement, ensuring the army's safe return before nightfall.

Historical Context: In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the death of a king or supreme commander almost always led to the immediate collapse of his army's morale and its subsequent rout. Kings were seen as divine representatives or embodiments of national strength. Their demise was a catastrophic blow that shattered the cohesion and purpose of the military force. The evening cessation of battle was also customary, as fighting typically halted at night, and retreats would occur then or by dawn. The return "to his own country" emphasizes the full dissolution of the allied force, with Judah's soldiers returning to their land and Israel's to theirs. This retreat signifies the total failure of Ahab's defiant and ungodly enterprise.

1 Kings 22 36 Word analysis

• and there went a proclamation (וַתַּעֲבֹר רִנָּה - vatt'avor rinnah):

  • went: Implies swift dissemination, a quick sweep through the entire army.
  • proclamation: The Hebrew word rinnah (רִנָּה) usually means "shout" or "cry," often joyful or lamenting. Here, in a military context, it signifies an urgent, possibly frantic, military announcement or a shout of alarm, conveying the immediacy and gravity of the news—the king's death and the order to withdraw. It wasn't a formal, planned communiqué, but a rapid, urgent outcry.

• throughout the host (בַּמַּחֲנֶה - bammachaneh):

  • host: Refers to the entire military camp or army (Heb. machaneh, מַחֲנֶה). The proclamation was universal within their ranks, indicating that the command to retreat was paramount and applied to everyone.

• about the going down of the sun (כְּבֹא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ - kevo hashemesh):

  • going down of the sun: Signifies the approach of evening. In ancient warfare, major battles usually concluded at dusk. The timing suggests the battle had endured through the day until the king finally succumbed, and the decision to retreat could no longer be delayed into the night. It also marks a definite end point to the day's events, concluding Ahab's life and reign.

• saying: Introduces the direct command issued to the army.

• Every man (אִישׁ לְעִירוֹ - ish le'iro):

  • Every man: Emphasizes the comprehensive and immediate nature of the command; no exceptions, no organized ranks.
  • to his city (אִישׁ לְעִירוֹ - ish le'iro): This part of the command refers to individual soldiers returning to their homes or garrisons. It signifies a full disbanding of the fighting force, rather than an organized retreat to a rallying point.

• and every man (וְאִישׁ לְאַרְצוֹ - ve'ish le'artzo):

  • and every man: Repetition for emphasis, underscoring the completeness of the dispersal.
  • to his own country (לְאַרְצוֹ - le'artzo): Broader scope, especially relevant since Jehoshaphat's troops from Judah were allied with Ahab. This confirms the complete termination of the campaign and the separation of the allied forces, each returning to their respective territories.

1 Kings 22 36 Bonus section

The seemingly random arrow that struck Ahab "between the scale armor and the breastplate" (1 Ki 22:34) is depicted here not as a stroke of chance, but as an act orchestrated by divine providence to bring about the prophet Micaiah's word. This reinforces the theological principle that even apparent contingencies are under God's ultimate control for the fulfillment of His purposes and judgment. The immediacy of the army's disbandment vividly illustrates the crucial role of the king as the literal embodiment of the state's and army's strength in ancient societies. His fall meant the nation's fall, and chaos ensued, making further resistance unthinkable.

1 Kings 22 36 Commentary

Verse 36 concisely narrates the definitive outcome of Ahab's reign and his final, ill-fated battle. The abrupt "proclamation" that went throughout the host "about the going down of the sun" marks a dramatic turning point. It's not a cry of victory, but an urgent announcement of despair and defeat, signaling the collapse of Israel's military might due to their king's demise. The order, "Every man to his city, and every man to his own country," underscores the complete disarray and immediate dissolution of the army. There was no leadership left, no central command, simply an urgent call for every man to flee for safety. This swift, chaotic dispersal precisely fulfills Micaiah's earlier prophecy that Israel would be "scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd" (1 Ki 22:17). Ahab, through his persistent rebellion against the Lord and his prophet, brought about the very judgment he tried to evade. His disguise was useless; divine judgment, not random chance, orchestrated the precise events of the day, leading to the demise of a king who persistently led Israel astray. This moment confirms God's sovereignty over kings and nations, proving that His word will always be fulfilled, regardless of human defiance or cunning.