Approximately 35 years after the death of Israel’s king Jeroboam, Ahab began his reign over the northern 10 tribes (Samaria).
“…and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel…Now Ahab…did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him.” 1 Kings 16:29b-30
Omri had been an evil king and it is said that he followed in the steps of Jeroboam by promoting unfettered idolatry.
Not only did Ahab imitate the ways of his father, he married a foreign woman from an enemy nation even though God had previously forbidden such marriages. Ahab then set up altars for Baal worship.
“And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam…that he took as wife Jezebel…” 1 Kings 16:31
The stage was set for chaos. And thus it was.
Jezebel was a powerful influence on her husband Ahab who became more evil and steeped in idolatry than his father Omri.
“But 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. And he behaved very abominably in following idols…” 1 Kings 21:25-26a
Because of Jezebel’s negative influence on her husband, God had already pronounced her fate.
“And concerning Jezebel the LORD also spoke, saying, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’” 1 Kings 21:23
After Ahab’s death God appointed one of Ahab’s sons Ahaziah to be king over Israel whose reign lasted for just one year and he died. Ahaziah also did ‘evil in the sight of the LORD.’ Ahaziah had no son to take his place so another of Ahab’s sons, Jehoram (Joram) ruled the northern tribes for 12 years.
Jehoram also followed in the ways of his father Ahab. Subsequently the prophet Elisha was told to go to the house of Jehu with a significant message.
“Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, over Israel. You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets…at the hand of Jezebel.’” 2 Kings 9:6b-7
Jezebel still had a powerful influence on the northern 10 tribes.
And so it was that Jehu obediently did as he was told and conspired against Joram, then king of Israel. The two in their respective chariots met face to face.
As they confronted each other Joram asked Jehu if he had come in peace. Jehu’s response?
“What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?” 2 Kings 9:22
At that point Joram attempted to flee, but Jehu shot an arrow which entered between Joram’s arms and ‘came out at his heart.’
Then Jehu went to Jezreel to deal with Jezebel.
Jezebel was looking through an upper level window as Jehu approached. Jehu looked up and asked if anyone among those accompanying Jezebel was on his side. At that point several eunuchs responded.
“So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot.” 2 Kings 9:33
After Jehu’s horse trampled Jezebel he went in the building and ate and drank which gave the dogs time to ravage her body.
Afterward Jehu ordered his servants to bury her seeing she had been a king’s daughter.
“So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palm of her hands.” 2 Kings 9:35
Upon hearing this Jehu replied:
“This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke… ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field…’” 2 Kings 9:36-37
But the infamy of Jezebel did not end there.
While the church at Thyatira exercised love, service, faith, and patience she also participated in deception.
“Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel…to teach and seduce My servants…” Revelation 2:20
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