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'''Ahab''' or '''Achav''' ([[Hebrew]], "father's brother")<ref name=CRC>Authors unknown. "[http://www.nisbett.com/people/bp-ahab.htm Entry for Ahab]." Christian Resource Center, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2007.</ref> (r. 918-897 BC by [[James Ussher|Ussher]],<ref name=Ussher>[[James Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World]]'', [[Larry Pierce]], ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pghh. 507, 511, 513-5, 517-9</ref> or 874-853 BC by [[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]]<ref name=Wood>Leon J. Wood, ''A Survey of Israel's History'', rev. ed. David O'Brien, Grand Rapids, MI: Academie Books, 1986 (ISBN 031034770X), pp. 263-267</ref><ref name=CRC/><ref name=Konig>Konig, George. [http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/p122.htm Ahab, King of Israel]. ''AboutBibleProphecy.com,'' 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2007.</ref>) was the seventh king of the [[Northern Kingdom]] of [[Israel]] (or the eighth if one counts the pretender Tibni, defeated by [[Omri]]).<ref name=Kings1>{{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=16|verses=29-34}}</ref><ref name=Kings2>{{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=17-22}}</ref> He reigned for twenty-two years. He was arguably the most despicable of all the kings of that troubled kingdom. His major claim to fame, however, was his contest-of-wills with that most famous prophet, [[Elijah]].

'''Ahab''' or '''Achav''' ([[Hebrew]], "father's brother")<ref name=CRC>Authors unknown. "[http://www.nisbett.com/people/bp-ahab.htm Entry for Ahab]." Christian Resource Center, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2007.</ref> (r. 918-897 BC by [[James Ussher|Ussher]],<ref name=Ussher>[[James Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World]]'', [[Larry Pierce]], ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pghh. 507, 511, 513-5, 517-9</ref> or 874-853 BC by [[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]]<ref name=CRC/><ref name=Wood>Leon J. Wood, ''A Survey of Israel's History'', rev. ed. David O'Brien, Grand Rapids, MI: Academie Books, 1986 (ISBN 031034770X), pp. 263-267</ref><ref name=Konig>Konig, George. [http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/p122.htm Ahab, King of Israel]. ''AboutBibleProphecy.com,'' 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2007.</ref>) was the seventh king of the [[Northern Kingdom]] of [[Israel]] (or the eighth if one counts the pretender Tibni, defeated by [[Omri]]).<ref name=Kings1>{{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=16|verses=29-34}}</ref><ref name=Kings2>{{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=17-22}}</ref> He reigned for twenty-two years. He was arguably the most despicable of all the kings of that troubled kingdom. His major claim to fame, however, was his contest-of-wills with that most famous prophet, [[Elijah]].

== Early life ==

== Early life ==

Elijah disappeared completely after that, but not for long. Ahab would not know until much later the full measure of the decree that God now made against him, and against the rest of the [[House of Omri]].

Elijah disappeared completely after that, but not for long. Ahab would not know until much later the full measure of the decree that God now made against him, and against the rest of the [[House of Omri]].

In the twentieth year of his reign, Ahab coveted a vineyard owned by one [[Naboth]]. Jezebel found out about it and caused Naboth to be arrested on a false charge of [[blasphemy]], and then executed by stoning for it--possibly the most brazen example of [[lynch|lynching]] in Bible history. Ahab brazenly came down the high hill of [[Samaria]] and took possession of the vineyard. Shortly after this, Elijah came to see Ahab one last time. Elijah told him that his dynasty would be destroyed, and Jezebel would be eaten by [[dog|dogs]] by the wall of [[Jezreel]].<ref name=CRC/><ref name=Konig/>

In the twentieth year of his reign, Ahab coveted a vineyard owned by one [[Naboth]]. Jezebel found out about it and caused Naboth to be arrested on a false charge of [[blasphemy]], and then executed by stoning for it—possibly the most brazen example of [[lynch]]ing in Bible history. Ahab brazenly came down the high hill of [[Samaria]] and took possession of the vineyard. Shortly after this, Elijah came to see Ahab one last time. Elijah told him that his dynasty would be destroyed, and Jezebel would be eaten by [[dog]]s by the wall of [[Jezreel]].<ref name=CRC/><ref name=Konig/>

Ahab realized at once the crushing weight of his guilt.<ref name=CRC/><ref name=Konig/> He [[Clothes rending|tore his clothes]], wore sackcloth, and slept on sackcloth. Because of this, God granted Ahab this boon: that he would not live to see the disaster that would befall his royal house.

Ahab realized at once the crushing weight of his guilt.<ref name=CRC/><ref name=Konig/> He [[Clothes rending|tore his clothes]], wore sackcloth, and slept on sackcloth. Because of this, God granted Ahab this boon: that he would not live to see the disaster that would befall his royal house.

=== Disputed Synchrony with Assyria ===

=== Disputed Synchrony with Assyria ===

Secular archaeologists assert that Ahab participated in the [[Battle of Qarqar]], and provided one of the largest contingents of a twelve-nation coalition force that stood in opposition to the [[Assyria|Assyrian]] king, [[Shalmaneser III]]. This battle is supposed to have taken place in 853 BC.<ref name=CRC/> The warrant is said to be an inscription in the stele of Shalmaneser III, referring to a king named ''A-ha-ab-bu Si-ri-la-a-a'' and the formidable chariot force he is said to have provided. But [[Larry Pierce]] points out that Ahab would be very unlikely to have been able to contribute a force of 2,000 charioteers and 10,000 infantrymen, considering that, three years earlier when he had had to meet Benhadad in battle, he could barely muster a force of 7,000 infantrymen.

Secular archaeologists assert that Ahab participated in the [[Battle of Qarqar]], and provided one of the largest contingents of a twelve-nation coalition force that stood in opposition to the [[Assyria]]n king, [[Shalmaneser III]]. This battle is supposed to have taken place in 853 BC.<ref name=CRC/> The warrant is said to be an inscription in the stele of Shalmaneser III, referring to a king named ''A-ha-ab-bu Si-ri-la-a-a'' and the formidable chariot force he is said to have provided. But [[Larry Pierce]] points out that Ahab would be very unlikely to have been able to contribute a force of 2,000 charioteers and 10,000 infantrymen, considering that, three years earlier when he had had to meet Benhadad in battle, he could barely muster a force of 7,000 infantrymen.

More likely, if an Israelite king participated in the Battle of Qarqar, or sent his general to that battle, it was not Ahab at all, but rather King [[Jehu]]'s son [[Jehoahaz]], who might have had time to build his army to such strength after the First Interregnum. But that even assumes that the battle did indeed take place in 853 BC.<ref name=Pierce>[[Larry Pierce|Pierce, Larry]], [http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v15/i1/chronology.asp Evidentialism–the Bible and Assyrian chronology], ''TJ'' 15(1):62–68 April 2001</ref>

More likely, if an Israelite king participated in the Battle of Qarqar, or sent his general to that battle, it was not Ahab at all, but rather King [[Jehu]]'s son [[Jehoahaz]], who might have had time to build his army to such strength after the First Interregnum. But that even assumes that the battle did indeed take place in 853 BC.<ref name=Pierce>[[Larry Pierce|Pierce, Larry]], [http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v15/i1/chronology.asp Evidentialism–the Bible and Assyrian chronology], ''TJ'' 15(1):62–68 April 2001</ref>

== The Battle of Ramoth-gilead ==

== The Battle of Ramoth-gilead ==

In the last year of his reign, Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat to join him in a joint operation to recapture the city of [[Ramoth-gilead]] from the Syrians--proof that even the three-year truce between Samaria and Damascus was not perfect. Ahab asked four hundred prophets whether the siege would be advisable, and they all said, "Yes." But Jehoshaphat was not convinced; he somehow recognized that these four hundred prophets were false. He insisted that Ahab ask [[Micahiah]] instead. Micahiah warned that such a siege would end in defeat and death for Ahab.<ref name=Konig/> Ahab went to battle anyway, in disguise--and furthermore, Jehoshaphat was somehow convinced to act as Ahab's decoy. The battle ended badly. Jehoshaphat barely escaped alive, after crying out to God for help. Ahab was fatally wounded, was carried off the battlefield, and died. He was buried in Samaria, and his elder son Ahaziah succeeded him.

In the last year of his reign, Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat to join him in a joint operation to recapture the city of [[Ramoth-gilead]] from the Syrians—proof that even the three-year truce between Samaria and Damascus was not perfect. Ahab asked four hundred prophets whether the siege would be advisable, and they all said, "Yes." But Jehoshaphat was not convinced; he somehow recognized that these four hundred prophets were false. He insisted that Ahab ask [[Micahiah]] instead. Micahiah warned that such a siege would end in defeat and death for Ahab.<ref name=Konig/> Ahab went to battle anyway, in disguise—and furthermore, Jehoshaphat was somehow convinced to act as Ahab's decoy. The battle ended badly. Jehoshaphat barely escaped alive, after crying out to God for help. Ahab was fatally wounded, was carried off the battlefield, and died. He was buried in Samaria, and his elder son Ahaziah succeeded him.

== Ahab Remembered After His Reign ==

== Ahab Remembered After His Reign ==

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==See Also ==

==See also ==

* [[Northern Kingdom]]

* [[Northern Kingdom]]

* [[House of Omri]]

* [[House of Omri]]