16 Facts About Ahab

Ahab was a king of the Kingdom of Israel, the son and successor of King Omri, and the husband of Jezebel of Sidon, according to the Hebrew Bible.

Ahab is depicted in the Bible as a Baal worshipper and is criticized for causing moral decline in Israel, though modern scholars argue that Ahab was a Yahwist himself.

The existence of Ahab is historically supported outside the Bible.

Ahab became king of Israel in the thirty-eighth year of King Asa of Judah, and reigned for twenty-two years, according to 1 Kings 16:29.

In terms of foreign policy, Ahab continued Omri's policies against Moab, which was a tributary state of Israel.

Aram-Damascus was the only foreign state that Ahab opposed but he made peace with them after their king promised to withdraw from conquered territory.

Ahab allowed Ahab to conquer Aramean territory to compensate.

Ahab's contribution was estimated at 2,000 chariots and 10,000 men.

In reality the number of chariots in Ahab's forces was probably closer to a number in the hundreds.

Jezreel was identified as Ahab's fortified chariot and cavalry base.

Ahab is mortally wounded by an unaimed arrow after he and Jehoshaphat tried to re-capture Ramoth-Gilead from the Arameans.

Ahab's reign was deeply unpopular among Yahwists and was considered to be worse than the previous kings of Israel.

Ahab was likewise criticized for his oppressive policies, both domestically and internationally.

Christian Frevel argues that Ahab used imperialism to introduce Yahweh to the Kingdom of Judah.

Ahab generously supported the students of the Law out of his royal treasury, in consequence of which half his sins were forgiven him.

Ahab is portrayed by Eduard Franz in the film Sins of Jezebel.