Ahaziah, the son of Ahab and Jezebel, was the eighth king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is recorded in the biblical books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings. Ahaziah ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Ahab, and reigned for a brief period, approximately from 853 to 852 BC.

Reign and Character

Ahaziah's reign was marked by idolatry and a continuation of the sinful practices established by his parents. The Bible describes his actions as evil in the sight of the LORD, following in the ways of his father Ahab and his mother Jezebel, who were notorious for promoting the worship of Baal in Israel. The Berean Standard Bible states, "He did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and mother and in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin" (1 Kings 22:52).

Alliance with Judah

During his reign, Ahaziah maintained a close alliance with the southern kingdom of Judah, ruled by King Jehoshaphat. This alliance was solidified through marriage ties, as Ahaziah's sister, Athaliah, was married to Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram. Despite this alliance, Ahaziah's reign was fraught with challenges, including military conflicts and political instability.

Military Endeavors and Downfall

Ahaziah's reign was characterized by military endeavors, particularly against Moab, which had rebelled against Israel following Ahab's death. Ahaziah also attempted to revive maritime trade by building a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, but the venture was unsuccessful. The BSB records, "Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-geber" (1 Kings 22:48).

Ahaziah's downfall came as a result of an accident. He fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and was severely injured. Seeking guidance, he sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, rather than seeking the LORD. This act of idolatry provoked the anger of God, and the prophet Elijah was sent to deliver a message of judgment. Elijah declared, "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die" (2 Kings 1:3-4).

Death and Succession

As prophesied by Elijah, Ahaziah did not recover from his injuries and died without an heir. His death marked the end of his short and troubled reign. Ahaziah was succeeded by his brother Jehoram (also known as Joram), who became the next king of Israel. The transition of power was part of the ongoing dynastic struggles and the divine judgment pronounced upon the house of Ahab for their persistent idolatry and rebellion against God.

Ahaziah's reign serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from the LORD and the futility of seeking guidance from false gods. His account is a testament to the enduring truth that the LORD alone is sovereign and worthy of worship.2 Kings 3:1
Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
Nave's Topical Index

Concerning Ahaziah; the King of Israel; and Again Concerning the ...
... Now it happened that Ahaziah, as he was coming down from the ... from the command of
the God of Israel, that this ... 2. Accordingly the king in a very little time died ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning ahaziah the.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... Yet now the king of Israel, turning from ... As Ahaziah had no son, he was succeeded
by Jehoram, his brother, who reigned over the ten tribes for twelve years. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... Ahaziah was only twenty-two, and was ruled by ... armed, and the people were shown their
little king. ... The Syrians made alliance with Israel, and terribly ravaged ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Slew Her And Made Jehoash, The Son Of Ahaziah, King. ... Makes An Expedition Against
The People Of Israel And The ... Long After Was Slain, And Uzziah Succeeded In The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an ...
... to kill nobody else but only the king of Israel. ... may also guess, from what happened
to this king, and have ... to him, was slain; and his son Ahaziah succeeded him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 concerning jehoshaphat the.htm

Questions.
... 14. Who reigned over the rest of Israel? 15. ... 4. Who was the Egyptian king who invaded
Judea? 5. Who succeeded Rehoboam? ... 12. What became of Ahaziah? 13. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... The Cilician empire which succeeded to the Assyrian"if ... of Hamath and masters of half
Israel, were powerful ... presents of the Phoenicians, the king again took ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Fourth vision "In Heaven"
... in Exodus 1.to destroy the male children of Israel at their ... But Ahaziah had children ...
Divinely interposed and rescued the infant "from among the king's sons that ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fourth vision in heaven.htm

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