1 Kings 21

17–26 God then sent Elijah to speak with Ahab; although Jezebel had been the instigator of the crime, Ahab was also guilty because he had looked the other way and asked no questions.

The Lord, through Elijah, told Ahab that just as the dogs had licked up Naboth’s blood, so they would lick up his blood also (see 1 Kings 22:37–38). As for Jezebel, the dogs would not only lick up her blood but they would also devour her corpse (see 2 Kings 9:30–37).

The Lord’s word spoken through Elijah continued. The Lord said He would bring disaster on Ahab’s house (verse 21), just as He had brought disaster on the houses of Jeroboam and Baasha (1 Kings 4:10–11; 16:3–4). In verse 25, the writer informs us that Ahab was Israel’s most evil king; but even more evil was his wife Jezebel, who urged him on. Ahab’s primary sin was that he had gone after idols, such as the Amorites (Canaanites) worshiped.

27–29 Ahab was filled with remorse when he heard Elijah’s words, and he humbled himself before the Lord (verse 27). Although there was no indication he truly repented,¹¹⁶ the Lord once again showed mercy to this evil king and delayed until the next generation the punishment that was due to come upon his house (2 Kings 9:21–26; 10:1–11).