1 Kings 22:48Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they didn't go; for the ships were broken at Ezion Geber.
The setting
Ezion Geber (modern Eilat, Israel), ~850 BC. King Jehoshaphat's ambitious fleet lies wrecked in the harbor before ever setting sail for the legendary gold mines of Ophir.
The emotion here: recording divine judgment with solemn understanding
The original word
shabar (שָׁבַר) — to break in pieces, shatter completely
Why it matters
Ophir's location remains one of archaeology's greatest mysteries — possibly India, Arabia, or East Africa
Read with care
What most readers miss in 1 Kings 22:48
This wasn't just business failure — it was God's judgment for partnering with wicked King Ahab's family
Common misconceptionPeople see this as random bad luck, but the chronicler reveals it was prophetic judgment for Jehoshaphat's ungodly alliance with Ahab's dynasty.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 1 Kings 22:48
Bible Genome reading
1 Kings 22:48 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
1 Kings 22:48 comes from the book of 1 Kings, written during the Divided Kingdom period. The setting is a maritime setting. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include failed plans, providence. Notable phrases: ships were broken.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does 1 Kings 22:48 mean to you, today?
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