“But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.” 1 Kings 21:25
It was Robert G Lee, who in his great sermon, “Payday Some Day,” described Ahab, the king of Israel, as “…a vile human toad who squatted upon the throne of his nation.” In this description of Ahab, Mr. Lee is following closely in spirit, though perhaps not in the letter, the man whom Scripture declares to be unique, in that there was none like him, who sold himself to do wickedness. Pushed and led along by his godless wife, Jezebel, a worshiper of Baal, and one who murdered the prophets of the Lord, Ahab became renowned in his wicked pursuits and lusts, even to the point of accepting the murder of an innocent man and his sons, who owned a piece of land near his palace that he wanted. It did not matter that Naboth’s vineyard was an inheritance passed down through his family to himself, and he would pass it along to his sons. Death was in the cup of Naboth and his sons, because the conniving and treacherous murderess, Jezebel, would see to it that her husband would have all that he desired at the expense of anyone who got in their way. Such was the king of Israel, and his wife, who seemingly had escaped the justice and judgement of God, believing themselves to be untouchable, and immune to the dictates of the God of Israel.
In the days that followed Naboth’s death, Elijah came to meet Ahab, and declared to him the word of the Lord. He told him, “Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.” (1 Kings21:19) Concerning Ahab’s wife, God’s word through Elijah was blatantly clear: “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.” (v.23) For approximately three years, it seemed that the heaven’s would forget Ahab and Jezebel, for the realization of the prophecy saw no sign of being accomplished. But then, in the providence of God, Ahab, with the King of Judah, Jehoshaphat, found themselves in league fighting against the Syrians. Ahab, having sought to disguise himself in battle, was hit by a stray arrow. The man who shot it had done so without specific aim, just hoping to hit a target. The arrow was certainly guided by God, as was the stone of David’s sling, to exactly the precise spot, “between the joints of the harness” of his armor. There was only a small opening there, but the point of the arrow found entrance, wounding this wicked toad of a man. After Ahab died, his chariot was washed in the pool of Samaria. Scripture tells us that, “…the dogs licked up his blood.” Payday had come for Ahab, and there was no way that he could avoid or avert it.
We do not know exactly how much time elapsed between the death of Ahab and that of Jezebel. However, we do know that, regardless of the reigns of kings, and the rise and fall of nations and governments, God’s purposes steadily plod on towards their goal, and nothing, and no one, can stay His hand. So then, at a specific time, after the mantle of the authority of Elijah had been passed to Elisha, the Lord led him to send a young servant, a son of the prophets, to seek out a captain in the army. His name was Jehu. He would surprisingly be anointed “king over Israel,” even though Israel already had a king, a son of Ahab. With almost the complete control of Israel and Judah being under the control of Ahab’s descendants and family, God would choose to use Jehu to destroy the entire house of Ahab, beginning with their rulers. Then turning towards Jezebel, high up upon her tower, apparently indestructible, her own eunuchs respond to Jehu’s words to, “Throw her down.” Elijah’s prophecy had come to pass: ” In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel.” (2 Kings 9:36) The unavoidable Payday had come for Jezebel.
Dear Father, We praise Thee for Thy justice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.