1 Kings 16:29-34

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Ahab, King of Israel

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God is faithful to His promises of judgment.

  2. God is provoked to anger by man’s sin.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Who you follow will have a great effect on your life and lifestyle.

  2. Who you marry will have a great effect on your life and lifestyle.

QUESTIONS

  1. Who was Ahab? Compare him to Jeroboam l.

  2. What was God’s promise of judgment concerning Hiel?

  3. Is God provoked to anger by man’s sin? Was this true for Ahab? What about an unbeliever today?

  4. Role models can influence another’s character. Cite biblical examples of good and bad role models.

  5. What effect did Jezebel have on Ahab?

ANSWERS

  1. Ahab was one of most evil kings of Israel. Although King Jeroboam l is referred to in scripture as “the king who made Israel to sin,” King Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all of the other kings before him. He married a pagan; he worshipped Baal and built a temple and altar in Samaria for this pagan god. He allowed a man to rebuild the walls and gates of Jericho in direct defiance of God’s word.

  2. God had promised through Joshua that whoever rebuilt Jericho would lay its foundations with his firstborn, and with his youngest set up the gates. Five hundred years later God’s promise of judgment came true. Abiram, the firstborn son of Hiel, died when the foundations were laid, and Segub, Hiel’s youngest son, died when the gates were hung.

  3. Yes, God is provoked to anger by man’s sin. “Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” 2 Kings 16:33. Concerning the unbeliever, “He who does not believe in His Son, the wrath of God abides on him” John 3:36. Why? Because of sin. God hates sin, but He gave His Son to die on the cross that whoever would believe in Him would not die. God’s wrath is necessary because of sin, but He is gracious, merciful and loving, slow to anger and not willing that any should perish.

  4. Ahab followed Jeroboam l, walking in his sins (2 Kings 16:31). Paul, on the other hand, was a good role model for Timothy.

  5. Jezebel, a pagan Phoenician princess, persuaded Ahab to plunge himself into the idolatrous and immoral worship of Baal.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. How aware are you of God’s promises of judgment? How conscious are you of walking on hallowed ground in His presence? Do you strive to avoid any hint of sin in your life?

  2. Who you follow will have a great effect on your life and lifestyle. Do you see this happening? List some of your role models.

CHALLENGE

  1. What kind of a role model are you? How have you influenced the lives of others?

  2. Recall Jezebel’s effect on Ahab. Be in prayer about the one you choose to marry, that you may honor the Lord together.

KEY VERSES

  • “Ahab did evil in the sight of the Lord…he did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.” 1 Kings 16:30, 33

1 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid1 KINGS 16:29-34