Topical Bible: Murder: Ahab

◄ Murder: Ahab ►

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Ahab, the seventh king of Israel, is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, particularly noted for his role in the murder of Naboth, an event that underscores the moral and spiritual decline during his reign. Ahab's account is primarily found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings, where his actions are depicted as contrary to the commandments of God.

Background and Reign

Ahab was the son of Omri and reigned over Israel in Samaria for 22 years (1 Kings 16:29). His marriage to Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, marked a significant turning point in Israel's history, as it led to the introduction and promotion of Baal worship in the kingdom. The Bible describes Ahab as doing "more evil in the sight of the LORD than all who were before him" (1 Kings 16:30).

The Murder of Naboth

The account of Naboth's murder is a critical episode in Ahab's life, illustrating the king's abuse of power and disregard for God's law. Naboth owned a vineyard in Jezreel, adjacent to Ahab's palace. Ahab desired this vineyard to convert it into a vegetable garden and offered Naboth a better vineyard or its value in money. Naboth, however, refused to sell his ancestral inheritance, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers" (1 Kings 21:3).

Ahab returned home sullen and angry, and upon seeing his distress, Jezebel took matters into her own hands. She orchestrated a plot to falsely accuse Naboth of blasphemy against God and the king. Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab's name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles of Naboth's city, instructing them to proclaim a fast and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Two scoundrels were then to testify that Naboth had cursed both God and the king, a crime punishable by death. The plan succeeded, and Naboth was stoned to death (1 Kings 21:8-13).

Divine Judgment

The murder of Naboth did not go unnoticed by God. The prophet Elijah was sent to confront Ahab, delivering a message of divine judgment. Elijah declared, "Have you murdered and also taken possession?" and pronounced that in the place where dogs licked Naboth's blood, they would also lick Ahab's blood (1 Kings 21:19). Furthermore, Elijah prophesied the downfall of Ahab's dynasty and the violent death of Jezebel (1 Kings 21:21-23).

Ahab's Response and Legacy

Upon hearing Elijah's words, Ahab exhibited a moment of repentance, tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth, and fasting. God acknowledged Ahab's humility and postponed the disaster on his house to the days of his son (1 Kings 21:27-29). Despite this temporary reprieve, Ahab's reign continued to be marked by idolatry and conflict, ultimately leading to his death in battle as prophesied (1 Kings 22:34-38).

Ahab's involvement in the murder of Naboth serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin, the abuse of power, and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. His account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing ungodly influences to lead one away from the path of righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 21:19
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ahab and Naboth
... by falsely accusing Naboth of blasphemy. Ahab seems to have taken no part
in Naboth's murder. Perhaps he was afraid; but he was ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xi ahab and naboth.htm

How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as ...
... for that they had abundance of chariots, and horses, and armor, and a great army,
and fenced cities, and that by so doing they might avenge the murder of Ahab. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jehu was.htm

Self-Destruction
... We heard of Ahab in this morning's lesson letting Jezebel murder the righteous Naboth,
by perjury and slander, to get possession of his vineyard; and then ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon viii self-destruction.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... The murder which Ahab and Ahaziah intended to perpetrate on the prophet Elijah,
was an act, which, being performed would have taken away the life of Elijah ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... Only once more did he appear again to Ahab, and that was to rebuke him for having
permitted the murder of a poor subject whose property he had coveted, and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

Royal Murderers
... Ahab asks no questions as to how this opportune clearing away of hindrance came
about. ... but that does not matter to him, and such a trifle as murder does not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/royal murderers.htm

The Believer a New Creature
... Ahab went and humbled himself after his murder of Naboth, and God turned away His
vengeance for awhile from him, but that temporary humiliation of Ahab was no ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 15 1869/the believer a new creature.htm

Obadiah
... and the only way of escaping out of that misery, that wretched King Ahab seems to ...
was in the hands of a weak and capricious tyrant, who might murder him any ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ix obadiah.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... [10] This son of a murderer was Joram, the son of Ahab, which Ahab slew, or ... name,
I suppose, because he had now also himself sent an officer to murder him; yet ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... the murder of the sons of Ahab, and the extermination of his whole progeny
by the consent, or rather the active agency, of the people. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm