Topical Bible: The Death of the Wicked: Jezebel

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Topical Encyclopedia

Jezebel, a Phoenician princess and the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, became the infamous queen of Israel through her marriage to King Ahab. Her life and death are chronicled in the books of 1 and 2 Kings, where she is depicted as a symbol of idolatry and wickedness, leading Israel into sin and apostasy.

Background and Influence

Jezebel's marriage to Ahab, king of Israel, marked a significant turning point in the spiritual decline of the nation. She was a fervent worshiper of Baal and Asherah, and she actively promoted these pagan deities within Israel, directly opposing the worship of Yahweh. Her influence over Ahab is noted in 1 Kings 21:25 : "There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel."

Jezebel's actions included the persecution of the prophets of Yahweh, as she sought to eradicate the worship of the true God from Israel. She orchestrated the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard for Ahab, demonstrating her ruthless and manipulative nature (1 Kings 21:1-16).

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophet Elijah, a central figure in opposing Jezebel's idolatry, pronounced divine judgment upon her. In 1 Kings 21:23 , Elijah declared, "And the LORD also speaks concerning Jezebel: ‘The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’" This prophecy underscored the severity of her sins and the inevitable divine retribution.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy

Jezebel's death is recorded in 2 Kings 9. Jehu, anointed by the prophet Elisha to become king and execute judgment on the house of Ahab, approached Jezreel. Jezebel, aware of her impending doom, attempted to maintain her regal dignity by adorning herself and addressing Jehu from a window. However, Jehu commanded her eunuchs to throw her down, and she was trampled underfoot (2 Kings 9:30-33).

The fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy is vividly described in 2 Kings 9:35-37 : "But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing but her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands. So they went back and told Jehu, who said, 'This is the word of the LORD that He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘In the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel. Jezebel’s body will be like dung on the field in the plot of Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say: This is Jezebel.’"

Legacy

Jezebel's death serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of leading others into sin and opposing God's commandments. Her life and demise are often cited as a warning against idolatry, immorality, and the rejection of divine authority. Her name has become synonymous with wickedness and rebellion against God, illustrating the ultimate downfall of those who persist in evil.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 9:33
And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he stepped her under foot.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Ahab when He had Taken Jezebel to Wife Became More Wicked than ...
... From The Death Of David To The Death Of Ahab. CHAPTER 13. How Ahab When He Had Taken
Jezebel To Wife Became More Wicked Than All The Kings That Had Been Before ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how ahab when.htm

Letter cxxii. To Rusticus.
... as to fall upon his sons, while Jezebel persisting in ... who shall deliver me from the
body of this death? ... laid down that the wickedness of the wicked shall not ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxii to rusticus.htm

How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as ...
... Joram, the king of Israel, after the death of Benhadad ... reigned one year, and had
proved a wicked man, and ... when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel adorned herself ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jehu was.htm

Listen, My Brethren, to Death, Mocking the Evil One: that Caused ...
... who overcame anger which is, thy likeness, Death: to his ... of the sea choked, the senses
of the wicked! ... even Jezebel who devoured the prophets, thou kindledst her ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lvii listen my brethren.htm

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... that He raised up Jehu to slay wicked Jezebel and all ... While Jezebel was still living,
Joram, the king of Israel ... a sickness then upon him would result in death. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

Obadiah
... a cup of cold water in Christ's name, but what it shall rise again, like a guardian
angel, to smooth our death-bed pillow ... His wicked Queen Jezebel was as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ix obadiah.htm

Royal Murderers
... this pitiful tragedy are the subserviently wicked elders. ... stoners, who killed their
innocent neighbour to pleasure Jezebel! ... The death of its owner is told with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/royal murderers.htm

"The Time of Trouble. "
... Did He forget Elijah when the oath of Jezebel threatened him with the fate of ... saith
the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked."(1072) The ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /39 the time of trouble.htm

The Time of Trouble
... Did He forget Elijah when the oath of Jezebel threatened him with the fate of ... saith
the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." Ezekiel 33 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 39 the time of.htm

The Story of Elijah, the Prophet
... Later the wicked queen, Jezebel, coveted a vineyard for Ahab, and she caused ... came
true, for Ahab was slain in battle and Jezebel was put to death by order ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of elijah the.htm