The ivory house. — See Amos 3:15. We note that now, for the first time since the days of Solomon (1 Kings 10:18-20), the use of ivory — in this case for inlaying the walls of houses — so characteristic of Zidonian art, is mentioned. The “undesigned coincidence,” in relation to the renewed intercourse with Zidon, is remarkable.
All the cities... — Possibly the cities ceded by Ben-hadad, and rebuilt as strongholds. The description shows that Ahab’s reign was externally one of power and prosperity, as yet unimpaired even by his death and disaster at Ramoth-gilead. The fruits of spiritual corruption had not yet ripened.