This chapter lists a series of wicked Israelite kings culminating with Ahab, the worst of all. It was clearly a period of severe moral decadence. First of all comes the continuation of Baasha with him receiving a message of judgement from God through the prophet Jehu. Again God will judge with dogs and vultures as he did with Jeroboam. Baasha died and was succeeded by his son Elah.
Elah reigned in Israel for 2 years. However he was assassinated by his official Zimri who then replaced him as king. He then proceeded to eliminate the entire family of Baasha in his extremely short reign of 7 days. However when the people realized what at happened they made army commander Omri king with Zimri dying under siege in an arson attack at the royal palace. There was initially a power struggle between Omri and Tibni, but Omri prevailed and reigned for 12 years. However Omri sinned more than all those before him. Upon Omri's death his son Ahab succeeded him.
Ahab reigned over Israel for 22 years and he did more evil than ever! He married Jezebel, who was the daughter of the king of the Sidonians, and introduced and practiced pagan Baal worship in Israel. Ahab built a temple for Baal in Samaria where he erected an altar to the pagan god. He further erected a pagan Asherah pole. Ahab was a very perverse king of Israel.
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