Lesson 28: AHAB
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1 Kings 16:29-22:40.
A sad story tonight. It is sad because it is a story of departure from God to a new level.
A key statement among the kings of Israel is that no longer when a new king is introduced did they do evil like Jeroboam, now you will see that they did evil like Ahab who went much further than Jeroboam did in sin.
It is a sad story because of wasted potential. As we said last week, when we talked about Omri - that it began a stronger time in Israel’s existence, but it is not for he better or advancement spiritually of Israel. This to is sad.
It is also sad because when an evil king is in charge then the people are hurt thereby.
The Bible does not say in vain:
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
This is what we are going to see tonight in the life of Ahab.
I. Early Stats
I. Early Stats
16:29-34
A. He reigned 22 years
A. He reigned 22 years
B. He did evil above all that were before him
B. He did evil above all that were before him
Took Jezebel, Ethbaal’s daughter, as his wife
C. He provoked the Lord to anger
C. He provoked the Lord to anger
He was the most wicked ruler that Israel had yet.
The Bible makes these statements, not only that he provoked the Lord to anger, but also notice these:
1 Kings 21:20 (KJV)
...thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
II. His interactions with Elijah
II. His interactions with Elijah
A. The battle concerning rain
A. The battle concerning rain
Elijah’s proclamation of no rain
Elijah declares “no rain or dew”
Elijah proclaims the return of the rain
v.18:1-2
The return of the rain
vv. 41-46
Elijah preaches
B. The battle with the prophets of Baal
B. The battle with the prophets of Baal
vv.21-40
C. The threats of Jezebel
C. The threats of Jezebel
19:1-2
D. His dealings with Naboth
D. His dealings with Naboth
21:1-24
1. Ahab’s sins
1. Ahab’s sins
a. He covets
a. He covets
This one of the original sins - Eve Coveted, one the 10 commandments forbids it, Ahab committed it.
Oh, we are guilty of this too often, wanting something, desiring something lusting after it.
b. He pouts
b. He pouts
Where does the Bible say that is a sin? Well, being unthankful for what God
2. Jezebel’s crimes
2. Jezebel’s crimes
Notice how Jezebel is here vv.5-7
She is pretty disgusted with Ahab, so she says I’ll take care of everything.
Her crimes.
a. She misuses authority
a. She misuses authority
b. She bribes, lies, and conspires to murder
b. She bribes, lies, and conspires to murder
vv.10-14
c. She steals
c. She steals
vv.15-16 it wasn’t theirs to take, but they did.
3. God’s judgment proclaimed by Elijah
3. God’s judgment proclaimed by Elijah
vv.17-24
a. The charges are murder and stealing
a. The charges are murder and stealing
b. The judgment upon Ahab - the dogs will lick his blood in the same place
b. The judgment upon Ahab - the dogs will lick his blood in the same place
c. His house would be destroyed
c. His house would be destroyed
d. Jezebel would be eaten by the dogs
d. Jezebel would be eaten by the dogs
4. God recognizes the Ahab as he humbles himself
4. God recognizes the Ahab as he humbles himself
III. God uses Ahab to defeat the Syrians
III. God uses Ahab to defeat the Syrians
20:1-42
A. God uses a trial in hopes to redeem
A. God uses a trial in hopes to redeem
In this passage, 1 Kings chapter 20, we see God is trying to reach not only Ahab, but also all of Israel. In this battle with the Syrians. God is trying to show his power and his care.
1 Kings 20:13 (KJV)
...and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
1 Kings 20:28 (KJV)
...and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
B. Ahab shows signs of character, but never spirituality
B. Ahab shows signs of character, but never spirituality
The crazy thing is that we see character and worldly wisdom in Ahab, if he would have done somewhat right, he could have become a great king - as we always say, God is not a respecter of persons.
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.
C. He cared more about honoring self than honoring the name of God
C. He cared more about honoring self than honoring the name of God
In this battle, Ahab has been given the victory and has destroyed the enemy almost completely.
God has worked on the behalf of Israel miraculously and Ahab decides to deliver the survivors and the king in order to get some honor and respect and his name great known in the city of Damascus.
Notice v.42
IV. Ahab seeks to use Jehoshaphat
IV. Ahab seeks to use Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat is the next king we will study of Judah and he is a good king, but Ahab is trying to corrupt him and use him ain a couple of ways.
A. The marriage of their children
A. The marriage of their children
No doubt that Jezebel had a great part in this.
B. The joining of forces
B. The joining of forces
1 Kings 22:1-5
VI. The bitter end
VI. The bitter end
God’s prophecies always come true and they did for both Ahab and Jezebel.
A. Ahab is slain according to the Word of God
A. Ahab is slain according to the Word of God
22:31-38
B. Jezebel is eaten by dogs
B. Jezebel is eaten by dogs
This is about 12 years later, like Maacha, the queen, mother of Asa tried to manipulate the king and kingdom of Judah, so did Jezebel.
2 Kings 9:30-36
VII. The Lesson for us
VII. The Lesson for us
A. The patience and longsuffering of God
A. The patience and longsuffering of God
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
B. God will deal with sin
B. God will deal with sin
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.