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CHAPTER 1: AHIQAR CHOOSES AIR

During the Assyrian Empire after the time that Israel was conquered, an Israelite named Ahiqar was made advisor to King Sennacherib.
Ahiqar is very wealthy, and has many wives, but has no children.
Ahiqar prays to the Lord for children but the Lord does not grant his wish. But instead the Lord commands to take his Sister’s Son Nadan and raise him to be his Son.
When Ahiqar is getting old King Sennacherib asks Ahiqar who will be his successor. Ahiqar appoints Nadan.

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CHAPTER 2: AHIQAR’S WISDOM

CHAPTER 3: NADAN’S TREACHERY

After reciting the proverbs to Nadan. Ahiqar turns over his estate and position to Nadan.
Nadan however quickly becomes a wicked ruler beating his servants, and talking bad about Ahiqar.
When Ahiqar finds out he contacts the King and has Nadan stripped of his power. Ahiqar then trains Nadan younger brother Benuzardan for the position instead.
Nadan then conspires against Ahiqar, and sets him up. Nadan writes a letter to the King of Persia and Egypt offering both of them rule over Assyria. He signs the name Ahiqar on the letters and then uses Ahiqar’s seal to make it appear Ahiqar wrote them.
He then wrote a letter to Ahiqar addressed from the King ordering him to assemble the army.
Nadan then shows the King one of letters and advises him to investigate. When the King investigates and finds Ahiqar assembling an army, Nadan has it designed so the King believes Ahiqar is plotting against him.
The King is angry, so Nadan then brings Ahiqar to him and the King orders him killed.

CHAPTER 3: AHIQAR STAGES DEATH

Ahiqar in his wit asks the King permission to be killed at his house, which the King grants.
Ahiqar then sends for his wife to prepare a feast with wine and women for the executioner.
When they reach Ahiqar’s the executioner eats the feast and become drunk. Then Ahiqar approaches one of the executioners and reminds him of how he helped save him when the King wanted him dead, and requested to stage his death and hide him until the King’s anger passes.
The executioner obliges Ahiqar and hides him.
While in hiding many people miss Ahiqar and his wisdom including the King.

CHAPTER 4: THE PHAROAH’S LETTER

The Pharaoh of Egypt writes King Sennacherib and ask for help in building a castle that reaches the heavens.
Sennacherib is puzzled about he should act, so he assembles all the wise men. The wise men have no answers and reminisce whishing Ahiqar was still here. They suggest sending for Nadan for Ahiqar taught him everything he knows.
When Nadan has no suggestions, the King is disheartened. The executioner then reveals to the King that he has not actually killed Ahiqar.
The King is very happy when he hears this and immediately seeks Ahiqar for his advice.

CHAPTER 5: AHIQAR TRAVELS TO EGYPT

Ahiqar reads over the letter and informs the King he will travel to Egypt to give Pharoah the answers.
Then for forty days Ahiqar prepares himself for his journey.
Upon arriving in Egypt presents himself under the alias of Abiqam. The Pharoah the questions Abiqam, and he answers Pharaohs questions.
Eventually Ahiqar reveals himself to the Pharoah, and the Pharoah is supreised cause he believed Ahiqar to be dead.

CHAPTER 6: AHIQAR RETURNS TO ASSYRIA

Ahiqar forges a letter from King Sennacherib to Pharaoh and requests for money.
Then Pharoah requests Ahiqar to build the castle that touches the heavens.
Ahiqar begins work on the castle.
After answering all of Pharaoh’s questions, Pharoah releases from service and sends him back to Assyria with gifts.
When Ahiqar arrives back in Assyria Sennacherib is well pleased with the success of his journey, and grants Ahiqar his hearts desire.
Ahiqar desires for the executioner who saved him to be treated well, and for Nadan to be arrested. Both of his requests are granted.