In the biblical context, the role of a husband is one of leadership, love, and responsibility within the family unit. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings on what constitutes a good husband, often by contrasting these with examples of poor or "bad" husbands. A bad husband, according to biblical principles, is one who fails to fulfill his God-given duties and responsibilities towards his wife and family.

Characteristics of Bad Husbands:

1. Lack of Love and Sacrifice:
The Bible commands husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). A bad husband fails to exhibit this sacrificial love, often prioritizing his own desires over the needs of his wife and family.

2. Failure to Lead Spiritually:
Husbands are called to be the spiritual leaders of their households (1 Corinthians 11:3). A bad husband neglects this duty, either by failing to guide his family in spiritual matters or by leading them astray through poor moral and spiritual decisions.

3. Harshness and Bitterness:
Colossians 3:19 instructs husbands, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." A bad husband is characterized by harshness, bitterness, and a lack of gentleness, which can lead to a toxic and oppressive home environment.

4. Infidelity and Unfaithfulness:
The Bible strongly condemns adultery and unfaithfulness (Exodus 20:14). A bad husband breaks the covenant of marriage through infidelity, causing deep emotional and spiritual harm to his wife and family.

5. Neglect and Indifference:
A bad husband may neglect his wife emotionally, physically, or spiritually. This neglect can manifest as indifference to her needs, lack of communication, or failure to provide for the family (1 Timothy 5:8).

Biblical Examples of Bad Husbands:

1. Ahab:
King Ahab, husband of Jezebel, is an example of a bad husband who allowed his wife to lead him into idolatry and evil practices (1 Kings 21:25). His failure to lead righteously had disastrous consequences for his family and the nation of Israel.

2. Nabal:
Nabal, the husband of Abigail, is described as "harsh and evil in his dealings" (1 Samuel 25:3). His foolishness and lack of discernment nearly brought destruction upon his household, highlighting the dangers of a husband who lacks wisdom and kindness.

3. Ananias:
In the New Testament, Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, conspired to deceive the early church about the proceeds of a land sale (Acts 5:1-10). His failure to lead with integrity and honesty resulted in severe consequences for both himself and his wife.

Teachings and Warnings:

The Bible provides clear teachings and warnings about the consequences of being a bad husband. Ephesians 5:28-29 emphasizes the importance of husbands loving their wives as their own bodies, nurturing and cherishing them. Failure to do so not only harms the marital relationship but also disrupts the family structure and dishonors God.

Proverbs 18:22 states, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD." A bad husband, by failing to appreciate and honor his wife, forfeits this divine favor and blessing.

In summary, the Bible calls husbands to a high standard of love, leadership, and responsibility. Bad husbands, as depicted in Scripture, serve as cautionary tales of the spiritual, emotional, and relational damage that can result from failing to adhere to these divine principles.Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Topicalbible.org

Ephesians 5:25-28
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
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1 Peter 3:1-5
Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
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Of the Reasons for Administering Correction to Bad and Good ...
... of God.Book I. Chapter 9."Of the Reasons for Administering Correction to Bad and
Good ... them how they should live, both the wives with their husbands, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 9 of the reasons for.htm

The Truth Hated in the Christians; So in Measure was It, of Old ...
... to others, [518] disclaimed all jealousy, (and) preferred to be the husbands of
she ... are we betrayed by anything else than our own goodness, just as bad men also ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter iv name truth hated.htm

Women as Well as Men, Slaves as Well as Freemen, Candidates for ...
... if he has a bad father, or the domestic if he has a bad master, ever ... and servants
have often, against their fathers', and masters', and husbands' will, reached ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter viii women as well as.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... filthy swine, [1446]ib.; worst in the married, [1447]345; all, forbidden,
[1448]ib.; the young to be kept from, [1449]345; early, makes bad husbands, [1450] ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

The Release of Hope. (xxiv, xxix. )
... when they turn to me with all their heart.8. But like the bad figs which ... Take wives
to your sons, Give your daughters to husbands, To beget sons and daughters ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 the release of hope.htm

On Matrimony
... It is bad enough at present, on account of divorces granted by the laws and ... Again,
if husbands and wives could separate for this or that fault, they would not ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 26 on matrimony.htm

On Marriage.
... but He must always continue to be absolutely Master"in this light also the wife
is in a bad position in relation to her husband. And we husbands might seem ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/vii on marriage.htm

Chapter xvi.
... For it would not be a bad thing for a husband to be reconciled to ... that some wives
were embracing the faith by means of their believing husbands, and husbands ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvi.htm

Li. Gratitude.
... And you, good house-wife! You have got a steady, affectionate husband, and, alas!
so many have drunken or unthrifty mates, or husbands with bad tempers. ...
/.../baring-gould/the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/li gratitude.htm

The Christ in the Garden
... only happy people, but, as Pascal would say, good sons, good husbands, good fathers ...
from it to think, against his former masters, that nothing is bad in itself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/v the christ in the.htm

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