Ahab, the son of Omri, was the seventh king of Israel and reigned from approximately 874 to 853 BC. His reign is detailed in 1 Kings 16:29-22:40 and 2 Chronicles 18. Ahab is often remembered for his marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess and ardent worshiper of Baal, which led to the promotion of idolatry in Israel. This union marked a significant spiritual decline for the nation, as Jezebel influenced Ahab to erect altars for Baal and Asherah, provoking the LORD to anger more than any of his predecessors (1 Kings 16:30-33).

Ahab's reign was characterized by significant political and military activity. He formed alliances with surrounding nations, including a notable treaty with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, which was solidified through the marriage of their children (2 Chronicles 18:1). Ahab's military campaigns included battles against Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, where he initially achieved victory but later faced defeat and death at the Battle of Ramoth-gilead (1 Kings 22:29-37).

Ahab's interactions with the prophet Elijah are particularly significant. Elijah confronted Ahab for his idolatry and prophesied a severe drought as divine judgment (1 Kings 17:1). The dramatic contest on Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal demonstrated the LORD's supremacy and led to the execution of the false prophets (1 Kings 18:20-40). Despite these events, Ahab continued in his ways, leading to further prophetic rebukes and judgments, including the prophecy of his own demise (1 Kings 21:17-24).

Ahab's legacy is marred by his moral and spiritual failures, particularly his covetousness and injustice, as seen in the incident involving Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-16). His reign is often cited as a period of apostasy and decline, setting a precedent for future kings of Israel.

Zedekiah

Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the last king of Judah, reigning from 597 to 586 BC. He was the son of Josiah and was appointed king by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon after the exile of Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:17). Zedekiah's reign is chronicled in 2 Kings 24:18-25:7, 2 Chronicles 36:11-21, and the Book of Jeremiah.

Zedekiah's tenure as king was marked by political instability and spiritual decline. Despite being placed on the throne by Babylon, he eventually rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, influenced by false prophets and misguided advisors who promised deliverance from Babylonian control (Jeremiah 27:9-11). This rebellion led to the siege of Jerusalem, culminating in the city's destruction and the temple's burning in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:1-10).

The prophet Jeremiah played a significant role during Zedekiah's reign, repeatedly warning him of the consequences of his disobedience and urging submission to Babylon as the LORD's will (Jeremiah 21:1-10). Despite these warnings, Zedekiah vacillated between seeking Jeremiah's counsel and succumbing to the pressure of his officials, ultimately leading to his downfall (Jeremiah 38:14-28).

Zedekiah's capture marked the end of the Davidic monarchy in Judah. After attempting to flee during the fall of Jerusalem, he was captured by the Babylonians, forced to witness the execution of his sons, and then blinded before being taken to Babylon in chains (2 Kings 25:6-7). His reign is often viewed as a tragic end to the kingdom of Judah, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.Ahab and Zedekiah

AHAB AND ZEDEKIAH

a'-hab, zed-e-ki'-a ('ach'abh, "uncle"; tsidhqiyahu, "Yahweh is my righteousness"): Ahab, son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah, son of Maaseiah, were two prophets against whom Jeremiah uttered an oracle for prophesying falsely in the name of Yahweh, and for immoral conduct. They should be delivered over to Nebuchadrezzar and be slain, and the captives of Judah that were in Babylon should take up the curse concerning them. "Yahweh make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the King of Babylon roasted in the fire" (Jeremiah 29:21).

S. F. Hunter

Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an ...
... However, Zedekiah made horns of iron, and said to Ahab, that God made those
horns signals, that by them he should overthrow all Syria. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 concerning jehoshaphat the.htm

Integrity and State of the Text.
... [35] These names, however, do not agree with the Jewish identification of them,
as the Ahab and Zedekiah of Jeremiah 29:21, which Origen reports in his Ep. ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/integrity and state of the 2.htm

Micaiah's Courage in Telling the Truth
... And Jehovah said, 'Who will deceive Ahab, so that he will go up and fall at ... Then
Zedekiah came near and struck Micaiah a blow on the cheek and said, "How was ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/micaiahs courage in telling the.htm

Self-Destruction
... one is tempted when he is led away by his own lust and enticed." Ahab was led ... what
he knew he deserved; that was what enticed him to listen to Zedekiah and the ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon viii self-destruction.htm

First and Second Kings.
... of Israel and learn the story of Jeroboam I, Omri, Ahab, Jehu, Jeroboam ... of Rehoboam,
Jehoshaphat, Joash, Uzziah, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Josiah and Zedekiah. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter ix first and second.htm

Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
... but may have been dropped because they were wicked descendants of Ahab unto the ... viz.:
his father Jehoiakim, and his uncles, Jehoahaz and Zedekiah, the three ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iii genealogy of jesus according.htm

Questions.
... 14. Who became prophet after Elijah? 15. Who executed judgment on the house of Ahab?
16. ... 32. What message did Ezekiel send Zedekiah?"Ez. xxii.25, 26, 27. 33. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Thyatira
... see Revelation 2:14) became elevated into a national religious system under Ahab
and Jezebel ... The Papyrus goes on to speak of Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/thyatira.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... From The Death Of Ahab To The Captivity Of The Ten Tribes. ... Of Making Jehoiachin King,
And Took Him Away To Babylon And Delivered The Kingdom To Zedekiah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Letter Liv. To Furia.
... 5, 6. [1578] 1 Timothy 5:23. [1579] Romans 14:21. [1580] Romans 14:2. [1581] Daniel
1:16. [1582] ie Ahab and Zedekiah whose fate is recorded Jeremiah 29:20-23. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liv to furia.htm

Who was King Jehoshaphat in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Jehu in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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