The Fall of Ahab - 1 Kings 21-22

For Starters...

Although King Ahab was an evil king, a close look at this Biblical character can teach us something important about how common weaknesses can >blossom< into deep evil. It provides interesting food for thought about the little weaknesses that we believe so harmless.

What's the Story?

Next to Ahabs palace in Jezreel lived a farmer named Naboth. Daily Ahab saw Naboths fields of grapes and envied him the land, because it would make a great close vegetable garden right beside the palace. One day Ahab decided to make Naboth an offer on the land ã an even swap of an even better vineyard or a cash deal. But Naboth steadfastly refused to deal on the grounds that the vineyard had been in the family for many, many generations.13 Ahab, in a childish pout, went to his room in the palace, lay on his bed with his face to the wall, and refused to eat anything.

When Jezebel found out why he was so upset, she came up with a simple, if terribly wicked, plan. She wrote a few letters to the town officials of Naboths village and put Ahabs seal on them to command them to hold a feast in Naboths honor, have some bribed men falsely accuse publicly him of cursing the King and God, and stone him in punishment. After the village officials followed orders, Jezebel urged Ahab to simply take possession of the vineyard for free with all the appearances of having done it legally and justly!

This grave evil didnt escape Gods notice, however, and Elijah was given the task of approaching Elijah while he was walking around on his new possession that God planned on completely and violently destroying his family for the evil of the murder of Naboth and the unchecked pagan worship of his kingdom.

When Ahab heard this prophecy, however, he humbled himself in repentance before God. In fact, God told Elijah that because of Ahabs repentance, God would delay the complete destruction of Ahabs family to the time when his son was ruling.

That was not to be far away, though. Three years later, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, visited Ahab and Ahab invited him and the armies of Judah to join him in battle against the king of Aram who still owned Ramoth-gilead. King Jehoshaphat tentatively agreed, but wanted to hear what the Lord would say about it. Ahab called about 400 prophets together and asked them what the Lord said about this battle proposal.

The prophets all agreed that the Lord predicted success of this military campaign. But apparently there were no real prophets of the Lord in Jezreel, because Jehoshaphat inquires as to whether there were >not yet a prophet of the LORD.< (1 Kings 22:7) Ahabs answer is almost comical, >There is still one man through whom we can enquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.< (1 Kings 22:8, NIV).

Micaiah is summoned by Ahabs servant who urges him to just >toe the party line< and say, >Yes<. Micaiah, however, replies that he can only say what God has said. Nevertheless, when asked what God had said Micaiah told the kings that God would grant them victory.

Perhaps because of the way Micaiah said it or something else, Jehoshaphat perceives that Micaiah is not telling the truth and he puts him under oath. Micaiah then tells of a fascinating vision that he has seen that reveals Gods secret counsel to destroy Ahab in battle by using the false prophets whom he knew Ahab would hear and believe.

Believing that >forewarned is being forearmed< Ahab and Jehoshaphat decide to engage in the battle anyway. Ahab actually goes into battle dressed like the average charioteer, hoping to avoid Aramean attention. A randomly shot arrow, however, still found the king and mortally wounded him. Jehoshaphat himself was chased off the battlefield and Israel lost the battle for Ramoth-gilead.

Ahab was buried in Samaria and Ahaziah was made king in his place, though he reigned for only two years.

So What?

* What do the following passages in the story tell us about King Ahab:

* And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him; for he had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food. (1 Kings 21:4, RSV).
* And Jez'ebel his wife said to him, "Do you now govern Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." (1 Kings 21:7, RSV).
* And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. (1 Kings 21:16, RSV).
* Ahab said to Eli'jah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" He answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD. (1 Kings 21:20, RSV).
* (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jez'ebel his wife incited. (1 Kings 21:25, RSV).
* And when Ahab heard those words, he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about dejectedly. (1 Kings 21:27, RSV).
* And the king of Israel said to Jehosh'aphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micai'ah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil." And Jehosh'aphat said, "Let not the king say so." (1 Kings 22:8, RSV).
* And the king of Israel said to Jehosh'aphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes." And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. (1 Kings 22:30, RSV).

* Was Jezebel all bad?
* What insights do you have after listening to God planning session of 1 Kings 22?