Topical Bible: Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Ahab

◄ Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Ahab ►

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Ahab, son of Omri, was the seventh king of Israel, reigning in the northern kingdom during the 9th century BC. His reign is chronicled in the biblical books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Ahab's rule is marked by significant political and religious events that had lasting impacts on the history of Israel.

Reign and Political Alliances

Ahab ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Omri, and reigned for 22 years (1 Kings 16:29). Omri had established a powerful dynasty, and Ahab continued to strengthen Israel's political position. He formed a strategic alliance with the Phoenicians through his marriage to Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians (1 Kings 16:31). This alliance brought economic benefits and military support, but it also introduced significant religious challenges.

Religious Apostasy and Conflict

Ahab's marriage to Jezebel led to the promotion of Baal worship in Israel, a direct violation of the covenantal laws given to the Israelites. Jezebel was a fervent worshiper of Baal and Asherah, and under her influence, Ahab erected an altar for Baal in Samaria and made an Asherah pole (1 Kings 16:32-33). This idolatry provoked the anger of the LORD, as Ahab "did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him" (1 Kings 16:33).

The prophet Elijah emerged as a central figure during Ahab's reign, challenging the king and his policies. Elijah declared a drought over Israel as a divine judgment against Ahab's idolatry (1 Kings 17:1). The confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel was a pivotal moment, where the LORD demonstrated His power by consuming Elijah's sacrifice with fire from heaven, leading the people to acknowledge the LORD as the true God (1 Kings 18:20-39).

Military Campaigns and Conflicts

Ahab's reign was also marked by military conflicts, particularly with the Arameans. He successfully defended Israel against Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, in two significant battles (1 Kings 20:1-30). However, Ahab's decision to spare Ben-Hadad, contrary to divine instruction, resulted in a prophetic rebuke and foretold disaster for Ahab and his kingdom (1 Kings 20:42).

Naboth's Vineyard and Ahab's Downfall

Ahab's desire for Naboth's vineyard, which was adjacent to his palace in Jezreel, led to one of the most infamous incidents of his reign. When Naboth refused to sell his ancestral inheritance, Jezebel orchestrated a plot to have Naboth falsely accused and executed, allowing Ahab to seize the vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-16). This act of injustice brought a severe judgment from Elijah, who prophesied the downfall of Ahab's dynasty and the violent deaths of both Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 21:17-24).

Death and Legacy

Ahab's death occurred during a battle at Ramoth-gilead, where he was mortally wounded by an arrow despite his efforts to disguise himself (1 Kings 22:34-37). His death fulfilled the prophetic word spoken by Elijah, and his blood was licked by dogs at the pool of Samaria (1 Kings 22:38), as foretold.

Ahab's legacy is one of apostasy and moral decline, characterized by his failure to uphold the covenantal faithfulness required of Israel's kings. His reign serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of idolatry and disobedience to God's commands.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 16:29-22:40
And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Record of Two Kings
... in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel ... was buried in Samaria: and Ahab
his son reigned in his ... Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

Elijah the Great Heart of Israel.
... Ahab was more wicked than the kings that reigned before him, and had built ... He cast
his mantle over Elisha, and Elisha followed him and became his servant. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvii elijah the great.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... succeeded by Jehoram, his brother, who reigned over the ten ... he departed not therefrom."
2 Kings 3:2 ... It was during Jehoram's reign over Israel that Jehoshaphat ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

How Ahab when He had Taken Jezebel to Wife Became More Wicked than ...
... 1. Now Ahab the king of Israel dwelt in Samaria ... in madness and wickedness all [the
kings] that went ... that time it was that Ethbaal also reigned over the Tyrians ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how ahab when.htm

How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the ...
... who was become very potent; he reigned over Damascus, and ... the most excellent of all
their kings in strength ... When Hadad was dead, his posterity reigned for ten ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how david brought.htm

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... when those that were for Omri's ruling had beaten Tibni, Omri reigned over all the ...
Now Omri was no way different from those kings that reigned before him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... Reigned IS years and died. ... During this time the kings of Judah cherished the
hope that they would regain their control over the ten tribes. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Concerning Jeroboam King of Israel and Jonah the Prophet; and How ...
... Amaziah, Jeroboam the son of Joash reigned over Israel in Samaria ... son of Amaziah,
begin to reign over the two ... by the carelessness of the kings, his predecessors ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning jeroboam king.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Became More Wicked Than All The Kings That Had ... How Joram, His Namesake, King Of Israel,
Fought With ... CHAPTER 7. How Athaliah Reigned Over Jerusalem For Five [Six ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... the laws, and died when he had reigned over the Israelites ... the treasures of God and
of the kings [before him ... should kill his master, and reign over the Syrians ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm