 1 Kings 16:28
Ahab was politically astute, clever at foreign policy, and a financial genius. During his rule as the seventh king of Israel's northern kingdom, he fortified Israelite cities, maintained peace with the southern kingdom of Judah, and strengthened economic ties with Phoenician seaports. He was also known for his love of wealth and his showy extravagance.
Despite his successes in political and military affairs, Ahab went against the mandated relgious practices of Israel by allowing and even practicing paganism. In fact, the biblical record states that Ahab did more to displease the Lord than any of the previous kings of Israel.
Ahab's marriage to Jezebel and his relationship with her father, Ethbaal, influenced his rule over Israel's religious life. Jezebel used her position as queen to champion her native Phoenician religion. Ahab agreed to build a temple to the false god Baal. Soon cultic practices sprang up everywhere, including promiscuous ceremonial rites dedicated to the fertility goddess, Asherah (Astarte).
Israel's most oppressive foe during Ahab's reign was Ben-hadad II of Syria. On one occasion, Ben-hadad marched his army to the gates of Samaria and beseiged the city. However, Ahab surprised the enemy by launching a daytime attack. The Syrians fled, and their king narrowly escaped on horseback. Later, in a battle near Aphek, Ahab defested Ben-hadad but agreed to spare his life in exchange for political and commercial concessions. For his lenient actions toward Ben-hadad, Ahab was told by an unknown prophet that he would lose his own life.
After this, Israel and Syria enjoyed peace for three years, probably because both nations were threatened by the imperial power of Assyria. Assyrian records indicate that Ahab supported Ben-hadad against the northern invader with chariots and men, and their common front succeeded in halting the Assyrian advance. Their alliance was short-lived, however. Once more, Ahab fought against Syria, this time with the help of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Even though Ahab's death in this battle was predicted by the prophet Micaiah, the king disguised himself and brazenly went into the fray. A stray arrow pierced Ahab, and by the day's end he died in a pool of his own blood. Ahab was buried in Samaria.
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