Topical Bible: Children: Wicked: Ahaziah

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Topical Encyclopedia

Ahaziah, the son of Ahab and Jezebel, was a king of Israel who reigned in Samaria. His reign is noted for its wickedness and idolatry, following in the footsteps of his parents, who led Israel into sin. Ahaziah's account is primarily found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings.

Background and Reign

Ahaziah became king of Israel after the death of his father, Ahab. His mother, Jezebel, was a notorious promoter of Baal worship, and Ahaziah continued in this idolatrous tradition. The Bible records that "he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and mother and in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin" (1 Kings 22:52). This indicates that Ahaziah perpetuated the sins of idolatry and rebellion against God that had plagued Israel under previous rulers.

Idolatry and Rebellion

Ahaziah's reign was marked by his allegiance to Baal, the Canaanite god, which was a direct violation of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Bible states, "He served Baal and worshiped him, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done" (1 Kings 22:53). This idolatry was not only a personal failing but also led the nation of Israel further away from the worship of the one true God.

Judgment and Death

Ahaziah's reign was short-lived, lasting only two years. His death came as a result of an accident and subsequent illness. The Bible recounts that Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and was severely injured. In his desperation, he sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, about his recovery. This act of seeking guidance from a pagan deity further demonstrated his lack of faith in the God of Israel.

The prophet Elijah was sent by God to confront Ahaziah's messengers, declaring, "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?" (2 Kings 1:3). Elijah prophesied that Ahaziah would not recover from his injuries, and indeed, Ahaziah died as foretold. His death was a direct consequence of his persistent idolatry and rejection of God.

Legacy

Ahaziah's reign is a cautionary tale of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to God. His life serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the inevitable judgment that follows such rebellion. Ahaziah's account is a somber example for children and adults alike, illustrating the importance of choosing to follow God wholeheartedly and rejecting the temptations of idolatry and sin.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 22:52
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as ...
... Upon the fall of Joram, Ahaziah was afraid of his own ... reigned one year, and had proved
a wicked man, and ... one to them that brought up the children, the other to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jehu was.htm

Ahaziah
... In this atmosphere Ahaziah was trained. ... we read of a good king who had a wicked
father"Josiah ... wife determines the moral weight and form of the royal children. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ahaziah.htm

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
... If thou hast no children, and the Lord hath blest thee with a great portion of ... to
go to Beelzebub, the god of Ekron, for help; as did wicked Ahaziah (2 Kings 1 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a prayer when one begins.htm

Concerning Ahaziah; the King of Israel; and Again Concerning the ...
... He was a wicked man, and in all respects like to ... Now it happened that Ahaziah, as
he was coming down from ... in the kingdom, for he died without children: but for ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning ahaziah the.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... chose rather to follow the will of his wicked wife Athaliah ... who ravaged his very
house, and killed all his children except the youngest, Ahaziah; and lastly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... As Ahaziah had no son, he was succeeded by Jehoram ... Judah a written communication,
in which the wicked king read ... Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... would send him to bring forth the children of Israel ... in the way, is abomination to
the wicked [38 ... Ahaziah, another king of Israel, fell down through a lattice ...
/.../answer to the jewish rabbys.htm

Concerning the Wickedness of Jehoram King O Jerusalem; his Defeat ...
... his own fathers, but had followed the wicked courses of ... of the king's own wives and
children; and that ... who escaped the enemy; his name was Ahaziah; after which ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 concerning the wickedness.htm

The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles.
... creation, marriage, providence, the begetting of children, the law ... to come;" [3247]
who are both more wicked than the ... league with him and with Ahaziah, by Jonah ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii the heresies attacked by.htm

Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
... near the time of death, when the children of God ... the examples of Cain, Saul, Achitophel,
Ahaziah, Judas, &c ... this the Lord answereth, "Let the wicked forsake his ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations against despair or doubting.htm