The End (of Ahab) is Nigh: The tension has become almost unbearable. In spite of Ahijah’s prophecy that Israel would be like a reed swaying in the water (1 Kgs. 14:15), the house of Omri has held the throne since 1 Kings 16:23. In spite of Elijah’s prophecy about the end of this house (1 Kgs. 21:21–24), we are now reading of Ahab’s second apostate son, who holds on to his kingdom with the help of Elijah’s successor. Did Elijah sabotage God’s plan by failing to anoint Hazael and Jehu (1 Kgs. 19:15–18)? Will Elisha continue forever to be a conduit for God’s salvation to Jehoram, or will he at last show himself to be a “son of judgment” (cf. the Hb. root špṭ, “to judge,” which lies behind his father’s name, Shaphat)? The hints are increasing that the end is, in fact, nigh. The last story saw …