Topical Bible: Judgments: Ahab and Jezebel

◄ Judgments: Ahab and Jezebel ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Ahab:

Ahab, the son of Omri, was the seventh king of Israel and reigned in Samaria for 22 years (1 Kings 16:29). His reign is marked by significant apostasy and idolatry, primarily due to his marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess and ardent worshiper of Baal. Ahab's actions are described as more evil than all the kings before him (1 Kings 16:30-33). He erected an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal he built in Samaria and made an Asherah pole, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger.

The prophet Elijah was sent by God to confront Ahab and announce a severe drought as a judgment for leading Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 17:1). This drought lasted three and a half years, demonstrating God's power over the false gods Ahab and Jezebel worshiped. The confrontation on Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-40) further illustrated God's supremacy, as fire from heaven consumed Elijah's sacrifice, leading the people to proclaim, "The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39).

Ahab's judgment was pronounced by Elijah after Ahab coveted Naboth's vineyard and allowed Jezebel to orchestrate Naboth's murder to seize the land (1 Kings 21:1-16). Elijah declared, "In the place where the dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, they will also lick up your blood" (1 Kings 21:19). Ahab's eventual death in battle fulfilled this prophecy, as he was struck by an arrow and died, and dogs licked his blood from his chariot (1 Kings 22:34-38).

Jezebel:

Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, was a zealous promoter of Baal worship in Israel. Her influence over Ahab led to the persecution of the prophets of the LORD and the establishment of Baal worship as the state religion (1 Kings 18:4, 19). Jezebel's actions were characterized by manipulation, deceit, and violence, as seen in her orchestration of Naboth's death (1 Kings 21:5-16).

The judgment against Jezebel was pronounced by Elijah, who declared that dogs would devour her by the wall of Jezreel (1 Kings 21:23). This prophecy was fulfilled during the reign of Jehu, who was anointed king to execute judgment on the house of Ahab. Jezebel was thrown from a window, trampled by horses, and her body was consumed by dogs, leaving only her skull, feet, and hands (2 Kings 9:30-37).

Theological Significance:

The judgments against Ahab and Jezebel serve as a stark reminder of God's intolerance for idolatry and injustice. Their account illustrates the consequences of turning away from the LORD and leading others into sin. The narrative underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the certainty of divine justice. The accounts of Ahab and Jezebel highlight the role of prophets as God's messengers, calling leaders and nations to repentance and warning of impending judgment.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 21:19-24
And you shall speak to him, saying, Thus said the LORD, Have you killed, and also taken possession? And you shall speak to him, saying, Thus said the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your blood, even yours.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Elijah the Tishbite
... humble apostate Israel, and that through judgments they would ... the wicked king; but
before Ahab could recover ... Queen Jezebel, angered over the message that had ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 9 elijah the tishbite.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... But judgments followed close upon the sins of the rebellious king. ... By his marriage
with the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, Jehoram of Judah was closely ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

The Record of Two Kings
... How little their judgments matter to the dead men! ... If Ahab takes Jezebel for
his wife, Ahab will soon take Jezebel's foul god for his god. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... weak that He raised up Jehu to slay wicked Jezebel and all the house of Ahab. ... His
judgments were tempered with mercy; and when His purpose was accomplished ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... and east of Damascus, where he would be safe from Jezebel, and still ... another way;
for they assured him of the divine judgments on the house of Ahab, and of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1564-1567
... rebelled against God "in all the actions of her life." Ahab and Jezebel were again ...
fully resolved in conscience, but also I have heard the judgments in this ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xvii knox and queen.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... if his children forsake My Law, and walk not in My judgments: if they ... allowed his
son Jehoram to take to wife the child of Ahab and Jezebel, Athaliah, who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

Thyatira
... 2:14) became elevated into a national religious system under Ahab and Jezebel, as
it ... to remove, and which will call down the yet greater judgments of "the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/thyatira.htm

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... Many indeed are the instances of the unjust judgments of the most. ... Nevertheless it
is said, Ch. xix.1, 2. And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done ...
/.../answer to the jewish rabbys.htm

From Jezreel to Horeb
... another signal victory by sending His judgments on Jezebel ... after this display of
God's power, Jezebel would no ... have influence over the mind of Ahab, and that ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 12 from jezreel to.htm