Topical Bible: Anger: Sinful: Ahab

◄ Anger: Sinful: Ahab ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Ahab, the seventh king of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose reign is marked by idolatry, political alliances, and notably, sinful anger. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings, where his actions and character are depicted in the context of his relationship with God, the prophet Elijah, and his infamous wife, Jezebel.

Ahab's sinful anger is most vividly illustrated in the account of Naboth's vineyard. In 1 Kings 21, Ahab desires the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which is adjacent to his palace in Jezreel. When Naboth refuses to sell or exchange his ancestral inheritance, Ahab's response is one of petulant anger. The scripture states, "So Ahab went into his house sullen and angry because of Naboth the Jezreelite’s answer. He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat" (1 Kings 21:4). This reaction reveals Ahab's inability to control his emotions and his willingness to sulk when his desires are thwarted.

Ahab's anger, fueled by his covetousness, sets the stage for further sin. Jezebel, observing her husband's discontent, orchestrates a plot to falsely accuse Naboth of blasphemy, leading to Naboth's execution. Ahab's passive complicity in this scheme underscores his moral weakness and the destructive power of his unchecked anger. The Lord, through the prophet Elijah, condemns Ahab's actions, declaring, "Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?" (1 Kings 21:19). This divine rebuke highlights the gravity of Ahab's sin, rooted in his initial anger and covetousness.

Ahab's reign is further characterized by his frequent clashes with the prophet Elijah, who serves as God's mouthpiece. Ahab's anger towards Elijah is evident in their encounters, particularly when Elijah confronts him about his idolatry and the ensuing drought in Israel. Ahab's response to Elijah is accusatory and defensive, as seen in 1 Kings 18:17, "When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, 'Is that you, O troubler of Israel?'" . This interaction reveals Ahab's tendency to deflect blame and his inability to recognize his own sinfulness, further illustrating the sinful nature of his anger.

Throughout his reign, Ahab's anger is intertwined with his idolatrous practices and his alliance with Jezebel, who introduces the worship of Baal into Israel. This idolatry provokes the Lord's anger, leading to various judgments upon Ahab and his house. Despite occasional moments of repentance, Ahab's legacy is marred by his failure to fully turn away from sin and his persistent anger, which ultimately contributes to his downfall.

In summary, Ahab's life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sinful anger. His inability to control his emotions leads to grave injustices and divine judgment, illustrating the destructive potential of anger when it is not tempered by righteousness and submission to God's will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 21:4
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... men, enemies of true religion, is sinful and unlawful ... 49: "Then said Ahaziah the
son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat ... to go home again wherefore their anger was greatly ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... privileges make idolatry or any sin more sinful, and its ... His anger clothes itself
in more stringent appeals and ... same thing was said by Elijah to Ahab"a noble ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

The Minstrel
... of Jezreel." "For there was none like unto Ahab, which did ... What with noise, or domestic
trouble, or sinful neighbors, or ... Anger, even if it be of the purest kind ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/the minstrel.htm

Elijah --Passionate in Prayer
... most love and the most hate; the most anger and the ... an Assembly speech as he stood
before Ahab, and at ... off the things of this deceitful and sinful world: and ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/vi elijahpassionate in prayer.htm

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... Carmel cowed, if it did not convince, Ahab, so that ... How different this weak and sinful
wail over his ... of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

Warning.
... In great anger he cursed what he supposed to be a boatman in ... Elijah was the best
friend Ahab had ... lest ye enter into temptation." We are weak and sinful by nature ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter viii warning.htm

The Meek and Lowly One
... him in somewhat a like position to Elijah with Ahab. ... for a prophet tarnished, he
must needs sit down in anger. ... you are sinful, but Christ is very tender-hearted ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the meek and lowly one.htm

Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
... the word brother from the mouth of Ahab, doubtless Judas ... doth Christ enjoin thee,
who art but sinful man, to ... and swallows for the fear of God's anger (Isaiah 38 ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations against despair or doubting.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... periods of strife and unrest under the house of Ahab. ... O Samaria, hath cast thee off;
Mine anger is kindled ... of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... the sophistries of unbelief, the seductions of sinful pleasure ... for him what he ought
to do to avert His anger. ... the best king of Judah died like Ahab, the worst ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm