Israel’s King Ahab

29 Ahab son of Omri became king over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Judah’s King Asa; Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. 30 But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight more than all who were before him.(A) 31 Then, as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not enough, he married Jezebel,(B) the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians,(C) and then proceeded to serve Baal and bow in worship to him.(D) 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal(E) that he had built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole.(F) Ahab did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.(G)

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Ahab rules Israel

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[a] and did more to anger the Lord, the God of Israel, than any of Israel’s kings who preceded him.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 16:33 Heb asherah, perhaps an object devoted to the goddess Asherah