1 Kings 16:29-34

Ahab Reigns in Israel

29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.

30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, ¹more than all who were before him.

31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, ²he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the ³Sidonians, ⁴and went and served Baal and worshiped him.

32 He erected an altar for Baal in ⁵the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria.

33 And Ahab made an ⁶Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger ⁷than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

34 ⁸In his days Hiel of Bethel built ⁹Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

1 Kings 16:29-34 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 16

This chapter contains a prophecy of the ruin of the family of Baasha, and an account of his death, 1Ki 16:1-7, and of his son's reigning in his stead two years, who was slain by Zimri one of his captains, 1Ki 16:8-14, and who reigned but seven days, 1Ki 16:15-20, and the people being divided between Tibni and Omri, the party for the latter prevailed, and he was made king, and reigned twelve years, 1Ki 16:21-28, and was succeeded by his son Ahab, a very wicked prince, 1Ki 16:29-33, and the chapter is concluded with the rebuilding of Jericho, 1Ki 16:34.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 21:25; [ver. 25]
• 2. [Exodus 34:16; Deuteronomy 7:3]
• 3. Judges 18:7
• 4. 1 Kings 21:25, 26; [2 Kings 3:2; 2 Kings 10:18; 2 Kings 17:16]
• 5. 2 Kgs. 10:21, 26, 27
• 6. 1 Kings 18:19; 2 Kings 13:6; 2 Kings 17:10; 2 Kings 21:3; 2 Chronicles 14:3; [Exodus 34:13; Jeremiah 17:2]
• 7. [See ver. 30 above]
• 8. [Joshua 6:26]
• 9. See 2 Kgs. 2:4, 18-22