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I Kings 21 The kind of person Ahab was:
Ahab was a Jew, but counted the commandments of God as nothing. Shown by his desiring Naboth to get rid of his land and Ahab’s willingness to get rid of his own land, or at least to take over land God had not given to him. Ahab was disappointed and grieved because of the word of the Lord Naboth told him. Jezebel made arrangements to kill Naboth and his heirs, resulting in the heirs of Ahab and Jezebel being condemned to death by God.
When Ahab took over the land of Naboth, he did not expect to meet his enemy, Elijah. Elijah was the enemy of Ahab, but Ahab was not the enemy of Elijah. Ahab is fighting God, therefore he doesn’t like God’s people. Sin will catch up with you. You may think you can get away with your crime, but it is impossible. God knows and God will bring your sins home to roost, one of these days. It may not be today, but it will be tomorrow. So don’t sin – you won’t have to pay for sins that way. I Kings 21:21 is a prophecy that all the male descendants of Ahab would die at the hand of God. I Kings 21:27-29 – Ahab did five things upon hearing of his coming judgment.
Because of these things, God did not bring his righteous judgment in the days of Ahab, but after he died. This is the reason Jezebel and all their children were not killed by God when Ahab died. The things we do have a profound effect on our family, spouse, and children. See how Ahab’s "repentance" changed the circumstances of his life, and the lives of his family. Those who believe in fatalism (what will be will be) are wrong. I Kings 22:1 – Three years went by, and still God had not judged Ahab, but that time is soon coming. Jehosphaphat was not supposed to be mixing with Israel, but he did – that is a whole story in itself, which we cannot get into in this message. Ahab did not like the prophets of God because they always prophesied against him. It would have been much better for Ahab to change his ways, then the prophets would not be directed by God to prophesy against him. I Kings 22:17 – Micaiah prophesied the soon coming death of Ahab in the battle with the Syrians. I believe Ahab did not forget the prophesy of Elijah against him, but wanted Jehoshaphat with him for "protection". That may sound strange, but this rebel (Ahab) wanted to be around the people of God because he believed God would not hurt his faithful people, therefore would not hurt him (Ahab). Ahab is wrong. God can be very selective about who gets injured and who goes free. Ahab had Jehoshaphat dress in his royal fighting clothes, but Ahab disguised himself, believing he was safely hid from the Syrians. The 35 captains of Syrian’s chariots headed toward Jehoshaphat, believing he was Ahab, but Jehoshaphat cried out and God turned the Syrians back. They did not know where to go to get Ahab, but God knew and a man shot an arrow at nothing, and hit Ahab, morally wounding him. He died that evening in his chariot by bleeding to death, as the blood ran out of the wound.
God’s judgment on Jezebel and the descendants of Ahab is found in II Kings 9. Notice all the things that happened before Jezebel received the judgment of God.
II Kings 9 records the anointing of Jehu as king of Israel in the place of Joram and the fulfilling of the prophecy of Elijah against Ahab, Jezebel and their descendants. It is not accident II Kings 9:21 records the "battle" was in the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. Verse 25 records that Jehu and Bidkar were together with Ahab when Elijah brought the prophecy against Ahab. They remembered, even if others forgot. II Kings 9:30-37 records the death of Jezebel and her body being eaten by the dogs in the time it takes a man to eat a meal – about 15-30 minutes. (WOW! That is FAST!) The prophecy is fulfilled concerning her body that she is will not buried, but will be as dung scattered all over the land. II Kings 10:10-11 records the fulfillment of Elijah’s prophecy against Ahab when all the remaining descendants of Ahab and Jezebel are killed by Jehu. II Kings 30-31 records some good and sad things.
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