Ahab’s Wicked Reign Begins

 Two years before the death of Asa, Ahab began to rule in Israel. From the beginning a strange, terrible apostasy characterized his reign. He“did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him,” acting “as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” 1 Kings 16:33, 31. He boldly led the people into the grossest heathenism.

Having married Jezebel, “the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians” and high priest of Baal, Ahab “served Baal and worshiped him. Then he set up an altar for Baal  in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.” Verses 31, 32.

Under the leadership of Jezebel, Ahab set up heathen altars in many “high places,” until nearly all Israel followed after Baal. “There was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.” 1 Kings 21:25. Ahab’s marriage with an idol-worshiping woman brought disaster both to himself and to the nation. The determined spirit of Jezebel easily molded his character. His selfish nature was unable to appreciate the mercies of God to Israel and his own obligations as guardian and leader of the chosen people.

Under Ahab’s rule Israel wandered far from the living God. The dark shadow of apostasy covered the whole land. Images of Baal and Ashtoreth were everywhere. Idolatrous temples multiplied. The smoke of sacrifices offered to false gods polluted the air. Hill and valley resounded with the drunken cries of a heathen priesthood who sacrificed to the sun, moon, and stars.

The people were taught that these idol gods were deities, by their mystic power ruling the elements of earth, fire, and water. The running brooks, the streams of living water, the gentle dew, the showers of rain which caused the fields to bring forth abundantly—all were credited to the favor of Baal and Ashtoreth instead of to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. The people forgot that the living God controlled the sun, the clouds of heaven, and all the powers of nature.

Through faithful messengers the Lord sent repeated warnings to the apostate king and the people, but these words of reproof were in vain. Captivated by the gorgeous display and the fascinating rites of idol worship, the people gave themselves up to the intoxicating, degrading pleasures of sensual worship. The light God had so graciously given them had become darkness.

Never before had the chosen people of God fallen so low in apostasy. Of the “prophets of Baal” there were four hundred fifty, besides four hundred “prophets of Asherah.” 1 Kings 18:19. Nothing short of the miracle-working power of God could preserve the nation from complete destruction. Israel had voluntarily separated from Jehovah, yet in His compassion the Lord still yearned after those who had been led into sin, and He was about to send them one of the mightiest of His prophets.