No Refuge for Ahab
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The land of ancient Israel featured six cities know as Cities of Refuge. Three of these were east of the Jordan River and three to the river’s west. One of these east of the Jordan was Ramoth-Gilead, which lay in territory belonging to the tribe of Gad. Persons having accidentally taken the life of another could in these cities find refuge from the avenger of the blood of a slain relative. It was at Ramoth-Gilead that Israel’s King Ahab waged war against the Syrian’s in an attempt to regain control of the city and was mortally wounded in the process. Approximately three years prior, Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, had arranged the death of Naboth in order to take possession of a coveted vineyard. Through the prophet Elijah, God decreed the dogs would lick Ahab’s blood as they had Naboth’s. In a city of refuge, there would be no refuge for Ahab.
Written and voiced by David Hayes Prophater