The Most Wicked of all Israel’s
Kings
Introduction
In
light of the lessons so far we have been observing the leadership
styles of the kings of Israel and Judah. The criteria for assessing the
actions of each of the kings are based upon the book of Deut. Where God
made it clear to Moses what type of king His people should follow. When
the people asked Samuel for a king, it is significant that they asked for
a king so that they could be like other nations and that the king fight
their battles for them.
The
effects of the people’s choice of a king were to haunt them in a
successive downward spiral of politics and apostasy as told in the book of
Kings. It is most interesting to note that scholars believe that Jeremiah
was the one that compiled the material for the book of Kings. Given his
mission to call the people to real repentance before the Babylonians come
and destroy Jerusalem and take the nation captive, it is intriguing that
such a history would be written to expose the depths of the nation’s
rejection of God’s ways. The progressive nature of the rejection
beginning with Solomon affords the reader the opportunity to see the real
nature of how improper leadership can destroy a nation due to spiritual
bankruptcy.
Personally,
I am fascinated with the ways in which the kings are characterized in the
book of Kings. The ways the kings are described as being wicked or
righteous are exposed in more subtle manners than one might expect.
Instead of portraying the moral character of each king in simple black and
white terms, the reader is presented with events that reveal the
underlying character weaknesses that led otherwise strong military leaders
and seemingly competent political strategists, to destroy the
effectiveness of God’s people as the spiritual salt of the earth.
Ahab: The Extreme Example of a Wicked
King
The
story of King Ahab has always been one that has been associated with
wickedness and apostasy. With his marriage to Jezebel and his interaction
with Elijah clearly he stands as a leader that exhibits traits that are
opposed to God’s directives. Yet if the reader looks carefully at the
Bible’s characterization of this king, he will find that Ahab is
described as obeying the words of the prophet, of complying with God’s
requests at times, much more than other kings before him who are
considered less wicked than he. Why is this so?
History
shows that Ahab was quite a military leader and politician. He
strengthened positions in his kingdom and doubled urban centers. His
attention to the army gave him distinction among his peers. But this is
not what God wished Israel to be known for. Notice the way in which Ahab’s
weakness of character is exposed.
Ahab’s Character Weakness
The "good"
- Ahab
was hostile to Elijah’s words but obeyed them
- Gathering
together the people 1 Kings 18:19
- Eating and
drinking 1 Kings 18:41
- Preparing
his chariot 1 Kings 18:44
- He complies
with an unnamed prophet 1 Kings 20:13, 28
- He rends his
garment in a display of repentance. This is underscored by the Elijah’s
comments of God’s approval of Ahab’s sincerity by stating a stay
of execution till the next generation. 1 Kings 21:20-29
The "bad"
- Ahab
is submissive to God and prophet but he is also submission to whoever
confronts him regardless of politics or moral standards.
- Jezebel’s
persecution of God’s prophets; Ahab is silent 1 Kings 18:4
- He fails to
speak up at Jezebel’s threat on Elijah’s life 1 Kings 19:2
- He accedes
to an enemy for mercy against warning of a prophet. 1 Kings 20:35-43
- The incident
with Naboth is prime evidence of Ahab’s inconsistency
- Ahab wants
Naboth’s land which is the latter’s inheritance
- Sale of
which is forbidden outside of the family
Ahab shows his usual submissiveness
but begins to reveal more
- He
represents Naboth’s rejection as a personal one and not based upon
principle
- He
substitutes "vineyard" (mere property) for the inheritance
-
He replaces
Naboth’s "The Lord forbid it me" for "I will not give
thee my vineyard" Thus Ahab conveys that he has been insulted. He
portrays Naboth as saying, "Perhaps I would sell to someone else,
but not to you."
- Ahab is not
concerned about how Jezebel will give him the vineyard.
- He is not
interested in how Naboth dies (Jezebel doesn’t tell him Naboth was
stoned)
- His
repentance does not rehabilitate him. 1 Kings 21:27
Ahab’s Weakness and greatest sin
- He
is an opportunist who will follow whoever leads him, whether good or
bad.
- He finally
is confronted with a clear decisive choice in the battle, to follow
God or inclination. He chooses badly and dies for it.
Conclusion
The
characterization of King Ahab reveals his lack of commitment to God and
the truth given him. Too often we look at the actions of a person to
determine a person’s character. We tend to list the good and the bad in
two columns and see which list is longer. But this manner of
characterization in the Bible reveals a much deeper criteria. Just as God
told Samuel when he was sent to anoint David to not look on the outward
appearance only but also upon the heart, so we are to assess the
character. What is so displeasing to God is not just sins as we describe
them. David committed some horrific acts as king, still God was said he
was a man after His Own heart. This was not just a cover up on God’s
part. He could say that because David had allowed God to cleanse his life.
(See Ps 119:9-) David believed in salvation from sin not in sin. Ahab was
completely at the opposite end of the spectrum.
|