1 Kings 16:31

31 Ahab found it easy to walk in the sins of Jeroboam, Nebat's son. He married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, who was the king of the Sidonians. He served and worshipped Baal.

1 Kings 16:31 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 16:31

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him
to walk in the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat
To worship the golden calves he set up:

that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the
Zidonians;
who is called Ithobalus and Itobalus king of the Tyrians, by Heathen historians ^F8; and, by Theophilus of Antioch ^F9, Juthobalus, priest of Astarte; for Tyre and Zidon were under one king. This woman was not only of another nation, and an idolater, but a very filthy woman, and is made the emblem of the whore of Rome, ( Revelation 2:20 )

and went and served Baal, and worshipped him
that is, went to Zidon and Tyre, and worshipped his wife's gods, which were either Jupiter Thalassius, the god of the Zidoaians, or Hercules, whom the Tyrians worshipped.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Menander apud Joseph. Antiqu. l. 8. c. 13. sect. 1, 2. & contr. Apion. l. 1. c. 21. Diodor. Sicul. apud Junium in loc.
F9 Ad Autolye. l. 3. p. 132.

1 Kings 16:31 In-Context

29 In the thirty-eighth year of Judah's King Asa, Ahab, Omri's son, became king of Israel. He ruled over Israel in Samaria for twenty-two years

30 and did evil in the LORD's eyes, more than anyone who preceded him.

31 Ahab found it easy to walk in the sins of Jeroboam, Nebat's son. He married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, who was the king of the Sidonians. He served and worshipped Baal.

32 He made an altar for Baal in the Baal temple he had constructed in Samaria.

33 Ahab also made a sacred pole and did more to anger the LORD, the God of Israel, than any of Israel's kings who preceded him.