After the death of Naboth, the prophet of God confronted Ahab and brought his family under collective captivity of family bondage.
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord.
1 Kings 21:16-20
Related books in this post
God informed him that he would suffer a similar fate to Naboth, with his blood being spilled, and that evil would come upon him and his descendants would be cut off. Jezebel was also given a judgment, where dogs would eat her by the wall of Jezreel. The rest of Ahab’s family were also given a verdict, with those who died in the city being eaten by dogs and those who died in the field being eaten by birds. Unfortunately, even though the prophetic judgment was given, Jezebel and her children chose to ignore it, with the exception of Ahab.
But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.
1 Kings 21:25-29
Ahab had willingly engaged in wickedness by succumbing to the influence of his evil wife, Jezebel, who encouraged him to commit abominable acts and worship idols, similar to the Amorites whom God had expelled from the land before the Israelites. However, after receiving God’s judgment, Ahab stood up against Jezebel and decided to break free from her evil influence. He humbled himself by tearing his clothes and fasting in sackcloth and ashes, but he did so in private, and nobody knew about it, not even the prophet Elijah. Nevertheless, God saw his repentance and informed Elijah about it. The lesson is that no matter how grievous one’s sins may be, if they truly repent and confess, God will pardon them. Even if others, including those who knew them as the worst sinner, don’t believe they can be forgiven, it is never too late to turn around and seek forgiveness. The Spirit of God can penetrate any hardened heart with His word.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Acts 9:13-16
Related books in this post
Ahab chose to break free from the curse and wickedness that bound his family together, while Paul also serves as an example in the New Testament of someone who turned away from sin and accepted Christ, despite his previous religious background as a proud Jew and Pharisee. Although he had zealously persecuted the church, he acknowledged that he was blameless when it came to following the law. Despite being considered untouchable, Queen Jezebel and all of her children were judged by God because they remained under the curse of their family’s collective bondage and evil covenant. Jezebel, who was in a time of need for peace, was harshly judged by a lower-ranking captain instead of her chief security officer. She was in the middle of applying makeup, similar to many women who have the spirit of Jezebel today, when she was judged. While looking out the window, she was thrown down and her blood was spilled on the wall and horses. Her beauty, position, and seductive clothing were not respected as she was trampled underfoot.
And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do?
Jeremiah 4:30
Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.