Ramoth-gilead
Ramoth-gilead was a strategically important city east of the Jordan, designated one of the cities of refuge, that repeatedly changed hands between Israel and Syria and became the site of two of the Old Testament's most consequential battles. King Ahab, ignoring the prophet Micaiah's warning of disaster and disguising himself in battle, was mortally wounded there by a stray arrow, fulfilling the doom pronounced against his house. Decades later, it was at Ramoth-gilead that Jehu, while still a military commander, was anointed king of Israel by a young prophet sent by Elisha, launching the bloody purge that ended the dynasty of Ahab and Jezebel once and for all.
Details
- Region
- Gilead
- Modern Location
- Tell er-Rumeith, Jordan (approximate)
Journey Paths
Key Passages
Ahab Dies at Ramoth-gilead
1 Kings 22:34-37
Despite disguising himself, Ahab cannot escape the judgment Micaiah had prophesied, struck by an arrow shot without any specific aim.
34nd a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
Jehu Anointed King
2 Kings 9:4-6
Ramoth-gilead becomes the launching point for Jehu's violent purge of Ahab's entire dynasty, fulfilling Elijah's earlier prophecy against the house of Ahab.
4o the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramothgilead.
Did You Know?
Ramoth-gilead was a city of refuge under the law - yet it became the region's most contested battlefield, a sanctuary city soaked in war.
Ahab disguised himself in battle there while telling Jehoshaphat to wear royal robes - and the random arrow found him anyway 'between the joints of the harness.'
Both of Ahab's sons met their ends through Ramoth-gilead: Joram wounded fighting there, then killed by Jehu, who was anointed king inside its walls.