Ahab’s Life

After Omri’s death, his son Ahab became the seventh ruler of Israel’s northern kingdom. Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon (1 Kgs 16:31). This action violated the Mosaic prohibition of marrying pagan wives (Deut 7:1–6). It also led to idolatrous worship practices in Israel. Because of Jezebel’s pagan influence, Ahab erected altars for Baal and Asherah in Israel (1 Kgs 16:32–33). Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria (2 Kgs 10:1), though only two (Ahaziah and Jehoram/Joram of Israel) are mentioned by name. His sons Ahaziah and Jehoram ruled Israel for a combined period of 14 years. Ahab’s two sons-in-law ruled over Judah for a combined period of nine years. His corrupt influence extended into the prophetic office. Hundreds of false prophets were present during his reign, and his wife Jezebel destroyed most of the prophets of Yahweh. In spite of this, a faithful prophetic witness was preserved through Obadiah’s efforts (1 Kgs 18:4). The prophet Elijah also ministered during Ahab’s reign.