VIII. THE REIGN OF AHAB OVER ISRAEL

In 16:28b—22:40a we see the reign of Ahab over Israel.

A. Reigning over Israel for Twenty-two Years

In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab began to reign over Israel, and he reigned in Samaria for twenty-two years (16:28b-29).

B. Doing What Was Evil in the Sight of Jehovah
More than All Who Were before Him

Ahab did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah more than all who were before him (vv. 30-33). He considered it a light thing to walk in the sins of Jeroboam (v. 31a). He took Jezebel, the daughter of the king of the Sidonians, as his wife. Then he went and served Baal and worshipped him, raising up an altar to Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria (vv. 31b-32). Furthermore, he made the Asherah and did more to provoke Jehovah to anger than all the kings of Israel preceding him (v. 33).

C. In His Days the Rebuilding of Jericho
Bringing In the Curse to Them
as Joshua Had Prophesied

In the days of Ahab, Jericho was rebuilt, and this brought in the curse to them as Joshua had prophesied (v. 34; Josh. 6:26).