1 Kings 22:47
There was then no king in Edom: a deputie was king. 1 Kings 22:47 (KJV)
This verse is a brief statement found within the historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah, and to understand its significance we must examine the broader context of the passage. 1 Kings 22 recounts events during the reigns of both Ahab, the king of Israel who is described as one of the wicked kings of the northern kingdom, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. The chapter details Ahab’s alliance with Jehoshaphat and their joint military campaign against Aram (Syria), culminating in Ahab’s death. After Ahab’s death the narrative shifts to Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. Verse 46 describes Jehoshaphat’s removal of the remaining sodomites from the land, and verse 47 records the statement: “There was no king in Edom: a deputy was king.”
Edom was a neighboring kingdom situated southeast of Israel, in the region of modern‑day Jordan. The Bible often mentions Edom in relation to Israel, reflecting a complex historical relationship. According to Genesis, Edom traces its origins back to Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (who was later named Israel), and the Edomites were the descendants of Esau.
The absence of a king in Edom signifies a period when the royal dynasty had ceased or was temporarily interrupted. The text notes that a certain man who acted as a deputy of the king was in charge, but it gives no explicit reason for the lack of a reigning monarch. This interruption is reflected in the wording of both drafts, which emphasize that a deputy, or “a certain man that was a deputy of the king,” filled the leadership role.
While the verse is relatively short and contains no direct instructions or moral lessons, it contributes to the overall historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah. It provides a glimpse into the political landscape and the interactions between neighboring kingdoms during that era, illustrating how shifts in leadership were recorded alongside the deeds of Israel’s own monarchs.
In summary, 1 Kings 22:47 (KJV) states that there was no king in Edom, and a deputy—described as a certain man—served in that capacity. The verse serves to provide historical information and contextual background rather than conveying specific spiritual or moral teachings.
