The Sunday News
Question: “Ahab was a good king otherwise his wife ‘Jezebel’ ruined him.” Discuss (25).
COMMENT OVERVIEW
The above question requires one to have deep knowledge of the actions of Jezebel. Jezebel was the wife of Ahab the Omri candidate.
Her contributions there are well known by so many people. This includes importing the Baal prophets and Asherah goddesses. She was from Tyre. The exact meaning of the name Jezebel might be unknown by so many people, it has been interpreted by scholars like Constable, page 68, as “dunghill”. The actions of Ahab in the Old Testament there are known by so many Old Testament students. The above question will be fully discussed on the ongoing essay.
ANSWERS.
Jezebel acted as the advisor of the king. It should not be ignored that the king had interest on Naboth’s vineyard, this is recorded in 1st Kings 21: 2 (And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard”). The advise of Jezebel to Ahab was that it was very necessary for Ahab to get the vineyard, this can be supported by 1st Kings 21:7. This has also been supported by Alexander Rofe, page 319, in his book entitled, The Vineyard of Naboth: The origin and message of the story, who submitted that “Jezebel’s evil influence over her husband stands out in this story”. The influence in this case is that Jezebel pushed Ahab to have more interest on Naboth’s vineyard. Taking Naboth’s vineyard was a sin as it was contrary to the Mosaic Laws for instance Levi 25:23-28 and Numbers 26:7. Therefore, all this indicates that Jezebel influenced Ahab.
Jezebel wrote letters on behalf of the king. Jezebel believed that Ahab was superior in Israel, therefore it was necessary for him to take Naboth’s vineyard.
The major thrust of this act of authoring the letter was to kill Naboth so that it was going to be easy for them to take the vineyard. The action of Jezebel of authoring a letter is recorded in 1st Kings 21:8. It is prudent at this stage to note that Jezebel also killed the son of Naboth and this is recorded in 2nd Kings 9:26. All this clearly indicates that Jezebel influenced the husband by giving him unconditional support as she wrote letters .
Jezebel imported Baal prophets and Asherah goddesses. It can be submitted that Jezebel convinced Ahab to accept the pagan religion since Ahab might have been aware of the Mosaic Law which was against the worshipping of other gods. Ahab after being influenced further supported the idea of idolising the nation of Israel, this is evidenced by his actions which include building the temple and erecting alters of Baal, this is recorded in 1st Kings 16:32 “He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria.” Therefore, one will be left with no choice but to suggest that Jezebel influenced the king as the writer fully highlighted above.
NB: More points can be added.
HOWEVER PART
In as much as it can be said that Ahab was a good king and the wife influenced him, it will be loss of memory if one totally concurs with the allegation. It is prudent at this stage to note that Ahab had always been a bad king. This can be evidenced by allowing pagan worshiping in Israel while he was aware that it was against the Mosaic covenant.
This indicates that Ahab was a bad king.
NB: More points can be added.
CONCLUSION
Basing on the above discussion it is clear that allegations that Ahab was a good king and his wife ruined him is more valid.
For instance she wrote letters on behalf of the king, imported Baal prophets, she acted as the advisor to mention but a few.
Witness Dingani is an author, columnist, youth coach & cricketer. He is the founder of charity organisation “Dingani Charity Organisation”. In 2016 was voted the most influential youthful figures in Zimbabwe and was voted 8th position out of 15 people by the Pan-Zimbabwe society. Questions by schools can be submitted through his mobile number +263777896159 or email address: [email protected]. Readers can follow the Questions and Answers in the Sunday News every week.
