Topical Bible: Forsaking God: Ahab

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Topical Encyclopedia

Ahab, the son of Omri, was the seventh king of Israel and reigned from approximately 874 to 853 BC. His reign is notably marked by his departure from the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, and his embrace of idolatry, which had profound implications for the spiritual and political landscape of the nation.

Background and Reign

Ahab ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Omri, who had established a powerful dynasty in Israel. Ahab's reign is detailed in 1 Kings 16:29-34, where it is recorded that he "did more evil in the sight of the LORD than all who were before him" (1 Kings 16:30). His marriage to Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, further entrenched his commitment to idolatry. Jezebel was a fervent worshiper of Baal, and under her influence, Ahab erected an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria (1 Kings 16:32).

Religious Apostasy

Ahab's forsaking of God is most evident in his promotion of Baal worship, which directly contravened the commandments given to Israel. The introduction of Baal worship led to a significant decline in the worship of Yahweh, as Ahab and Jezebel actively persecuted the prophets of the LORD. This apostasy is highlighted in 1 Kings 18:4, where it is noted that Jezebel "cut off the prophets of the LORD."

The prophet Elijah emerged as a central figure in opposing Ahab's idolatry. In a dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest to demonstrate the power of the true God. The narrative in 1 Kings 18:20-40 describes how the LORD answered Elijah's prayer with fire from heaven, proving His supremacy over Baal and leading to the execution of the false prophets.

Consequences of Forsaking God

Ahab's forsaking of God brought severe consequences upon himself and the nation of Israel. The LORD sent Elijah to pronounce a drought upon the land as a direct result of Ahab's sins (1 Kings 17:1). This drought lasted for three and a half years, causing widespread famine and hardship.

Moreover, Ahab's reign was marked by continued conflict with the neighboring kingdom of Aram (Syria) and internal strife. His alliance with Jezebel and the subsequent murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard (1 Kings 21) further exemplified his moral decline and disregard for God's laws. The LORD, through Elijah, pronounced judgment upon Ahab, declaring that disaster would befall his house and that dogs would lick up his blood (1 Kings 21:19).

Legacy

Ahab's legacy is one of infamy, as he is remembered as a king who led Israel into deep spiritual apostasy. His actions set a precedent for future kings and contributed to the eventual downfall of the Northern Kingdom. Despite occasional moments of repentance, as seen in 1 Kings 21:27-29, Ahab's overall reign is characterized by a persistent forsaking of God, which serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of turning away from the LORD.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 18:18
And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but you, and your father's house, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and you have followed Baalim.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... King Ahab by forsaking God's commandments, and following wicked superstitions, had
troubled Israel, drawing sore judgments and calamities thereon; yet had he ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... derived from him; thus warning us against forsaking him, by ... that Satan appears in
the presence of God to receive ... In the same way, when Ahab was to be deceived ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

2 Cor. xi. 1
... one; only of exceeding pitiful and abject persons, Gehazi, Ahab, Judas, the ... inconstancy
of the human heart, and of the fearful consequences of forsaking God. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 2 cor xi.htm

False Civilization
... life; till in the days of Ahab and Jehu ... repentance and humility, confessing, bewailing,
and forsaking his worldliness ... is written, 'The sacrifices of God are a ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon vi false civilization.htm

Repentance unto Life
... but we read in the very next chapter that Ahab rebelled, and ... sin and a determination
in the strength of God to forsake ... is a hatred of sin, and a forsaking it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/repentance unto life.htm

Herod and John the Baptist
... Ahab sold out for a garden of herbs. ... They will not be accepted in the place of
what God demands"repentance and the forsaking of every sin. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/v herod and john the.htm

The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial
... blessed Lord would have us understand by forsaking all, and in ... of pleasure more than
lovers of God;" but if ... No, we must not, like Ahab's false prophets, have a ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the extent and reasonableness of.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... by holding them, in espousing his quarrel, as Jehoshaphat joining with Ahab. ... a great
point and argument of declining and forsaking the law of God, when men ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... Jehoshaphat was reproved for joining with Ahab, because he was "ungodly, and hated ...
we are, there are many palpable forsakings of God, and God's forsaking of men ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm

On Friendship with the World
... them tender compassion when we see them forsaking their own ... forgot this, and formed
a connexion with Ahab, what was ... who does not love, or at least, fear God. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 80 on friendship with.htm