A Woman no one wants to encounter
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Intro
Intro
We will primarily be looking at this evening.
We have certain expectations of other people. When we drive we expect other drivers to stay on their own side of the road, We expect people to stop at red lights and stop signs.
We expect people to be civil to one another, For the most part people comply.
We expect our leaders to live to a higher standard - and are often disappointed. The reports of scandals coming out of Washington -fake or real- are enough to make most of us not want to watch the news anymore.
This evening, we are going to look at a woman who failed in living peaceably with others. We are going to take a few moments to look at Jezebel.
In 1 kings 19:13 we read that Jezebel had killed prophets of God. Later (v 19) we read that she had 400 prophets of Baal eating at her table. So this woman not only despised the true God, she provided for at least these 400 false prophets of Baal.
Prayer
Prayer
I) The Dilemma
I) The Dilemma
Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.
I Kings 21:1-
King Ahab desires a vineyard that is positioned near the palace in Samaria. It is owned by Naboth. Ahab makes what appears to be not only a fair offer, but even generous.
Under the Mosaic Law, Naboth is not to sell the property, even if he did, it was to return to his family in the year of Jubilee. Land was highly regarded among the Jewish people of that day.
“The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the country you possess, you shall allow a redemption of the land.
“If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold. If a man has no one to redeem it and then himself becomes prosperous and finds sufficient means to redeem it, let him calculate the years since he sold it and pay back the balance to the man to whom he sold it, and then return to his property. But if he does not have sufficient means to recover it, then what he sold shall remain in the hand of the buyer until the year of jubilee. In the jubilee it shall be released, and he shall return to his property.
Lev. 25:
For Naboth this was more than a business deal or sentimental feelings about the old homestead. There was a theological issue here. We see no evidence that the Jubilee year was observed every 50 years. The evidence points to the fact that even the sabbath year rest was not observed. Very likely, even if the Jubilee year was observed, Naboth may have not believed that the land would be returned to his family.
to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.
What did Jeremiah say?
II Chronicles 36:2
“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.
While this verse specifically refers to the southern kingdom that had periods of obedience to God and led by kings the tried to father God. The nothern kingdom never had a godly king.
So after failed negotiations, Ahab comes home and pouts. See in verse 4. And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food
II) Jezebel the enabler
II) Jezebel the enabler
A) Jezebel attempts to comfort Ahab
A) Jezebel attempts to comfort Ahab
Instead she belittles him.
But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ” And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city.
But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ” And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
She comes in to comfort and inquires to his sadness, Ahab explains about the vineyard and instead of being an encouragement to him, pointing out his accomplishments and what he does have. Instead she belittles him. “You are the king, you can have it if you really want it. You shouldn’t be sullen, have him done away with. If you aren’t man enough to do get the vineyard, I’ll do it. So she belittles him. And then takes action because the king refuses to.
One commentator states that Jezebel grew up in a culture very different than that of Israel, she grew up in a culture that did not observe the rights of individuals like the Jews did. So to her, if you want something, and if you are royalty, go out and take it by any means necessary.
Where Jezebel’s father was king, all of the land belonged to the king like fiefdoms and the land was on a grant to from the king that could be with drawn. To the Jews, all of the land belongs to Yahweh, they were custodians of it.
B. She falsifies documents
B. She falsifies documents
I Kings 21:
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city.
Deception at its finest. She signs the documents as if she were Ahab and uses his personal seal.
While this verse specifically refers to the southern kingdom that had periods of obedience to God and led by kings the tried to father God. The southern kingdom never had a godly king.
The seal indicated the king’s approval of the contents of the letter. We use seals in various forms even today.
personal seal.
On Friday, my wife and I had to sign some papers to refinance what we owe on our house. During the process some documents required a seal of a notary indicating that the people signing the papers are who they claim to be.
This type of a seal has a long history that signifies one of importance and that whatever is sealed is not to be tampered with. A document or other item sealed in this manner was not to be tampered with by anyone other than the intended recipient. We see this in other places in Scripture:
In Danial 6:17, King Darius seals the stone that closes the lions den.
and 8:2 make reference to the king giving his signet ring to Haman and then removing the ring and giving it to Mordecai. Showing that these men could act with the authority of the king.
Mathew 27:66 Pilate seals Jesus tomb because there was fear of Jesus followers stealing the body.
When we understand the significance of a seal, becomes richer understanding that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
As we can see, the use of the kings seal was a significant thing, it is unclear from this passage if Jezebel was using the signet to seal these documents with or without Ahab’s consent. We see that she is so bold as to sign the document not with her own name, but with Ahab’s name.
C. She Plots a Murder
C. She Plots a Murder
So what is in the letters being sent?
I Kings 21:9-10
And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
1. The two witness
1. The two witness
The two witness
The two witness
Her letter states that the recipients (verse 11 indicates that this seems to be city leaders) they are to find men to lie about Naboth and see to his execution.
We know that both lying or falsification and murder are specifically forbidden in the 10 commandments.
She states that they need to find 2 worthless men. Why worthless men, because honest men would not tell the lies that needed to be said to carry out this wicked deed. Why 2 not just one. The mosaic law states that this is the minimum number of witnesses required to testify against someone.
On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
D
This is repeated in a more general fashion (any crime) in chapter 19 which also goes on to state that it is the job of the judge to diligently inquire of the witness to determine if he is a false witness. If the witness is found be lying the penalty is to be be found guilty of whatever he was accusing the defendant of .
The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you.
Deut 19:18-20
Purge the evil from among you. It appears that Jezebel expected that this portion of the law would be ignored.
The Bible also speaks of the coming to two witnesses in a positive aspect.
And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Rev
These two men will give witness to the world about the true and living God during the the tribulation. God will protect them until His time when during the time of their time of proclaiming the message of God.
And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed.
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Sound familiar? At the end of their time, the beast will rise from the bottomless pit to make war with these two witnesses and finally kill them. In a sense to purge holiness from the world.
2. The lie to be told
2. The lie to be told
Rev 21:5
He cursed God and the king.
Exodus
If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property.
“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
Leviticus 24:
Blasphemy or cursing against God demanded stoning, eliminating any later claim to the property or the voice of blasphemer that would cause a division among the people.
Cursing the king: the custom of the day was that if the you cursed the king, you forfeited your property to the king.
Cursing the king: the custom of the day was that if the you cursed the king, you forfeited your property to the king.
Cursing the king or God was a sign of disloyalty.
A neat little package, falsely accuse Naboth, who appears to be an honorable man, with this accusation of his cursing God and the king and the king gets the property and Naboth is essentially murdered using the Mosaic law. But we must note that Jezebel was picking and choosing which laws to apply to further her cause. She liked the law that demanded death for cursing God, she appears to ignore the laws about false witness and murder.
A warning that we need to be careful to rightly handle God’s Word. How many have come around selecting scripture and ignoring other passages to feed an agenda of selfishness.
Sin and Pride share the same middle letter, “I”. We all suffer from I disease. The only cure can be found at the cross.
Note that she is not going to do the dirty work herself, but has someone else do it. At least among her contemporaries for a short period she appears to be without fault in this matter. But soon (as we shall see in a few moments) her sins is reveled - and we still will talk about it today.
And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.”
1 Kings 21:11-
3. The Plot is carried out
3. The Plot is carried out
And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”
Apparently the leaders of the city feared Jezebel more than they feared God (a direct conflict with what the apostles stated in “We will obey God rather then men”
Never the less the leaders, carried out the plan. They proclaimed a fast in the city. Many have speculated that the fast was to relieve a curse put over the city (maybe the idea was to “save us from Jezebel”.)
They found these false accusers who would lie about Naboth.
As I study this account, I cannot help but reflect on our modern society. Elected officials who choose to not do what is right, but what will keep getting them elected. Fake news that we no longer know what is true and false. Plots to destroy reputable people. Since November (and even before) how many false accusations have we heard on the news or in social media about our sitting president? Many willingly believe these lies.
Once the false accusers are heard (and those in judgement fail to determine that these are false witnesses, either because they were lazy or in on the plot, the execution is carried out. Naboth (and apparently his sons) are taken outside of the city for the stoning. Under the law of Moses, any stoning was to take place outside of the city so as to not defile the city with the blood and sin of accused.
A public execution in this manner, done before the population, certainly served as a warning against those in the crowd about the severity of wrong doing.
The plot is carried out, with Naboth and his sons gone, there is no one left to lay claim to vineyard that Ahab wanted.
III) Ahab Goes to Claim the Land
III) Ahab Goes to Claim the Land
A. Ahab learns of Naboth’s death
A. Ahab learns of Naboth’s death
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
I King 21:15-
Word came back to Jezebel that the plot had been completed. So Jezebel tells Ahab that Naboth is dead. I wonder how much of the plot Ahab was aware of. I have to wonder if Jezebel lied to Ahab and said that Naboth had died of some routine cause, not of her plotted murder of him.
Ahab goes to take possession of the vineyard.
Ahab Encounters Elijah
Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you killed and also taken possession?” ’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.” ’ ”
Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel the Lord also said, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.’ Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat.”
1 kings 21:17-24
God comes to Elijah and says go down to Naboth’s vineyard to take possession of it and I have a message for you to give him. Here is the message “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.” In effect saying that as Naboth died, so shall you. We can read about Ahab’s death in the next chapter, but we will save that for another time.
God comes to Elijah and says go down to Naboth’s vineyard to take possession of it and I have a message for you to give him. Here is the message “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.” In effect saying that as Naboth died, so shall you. We can read about Ahab’s death in the next chapter, but we will save that for another time.
When Ahab sees Elijah, Ahab greets him asking, “why have you come to find me, you are my enemy”.
Elijah responds, “I came looking for you because you have done evil in the sight of God, you have sold yourself to accomplish evil. Because of this, disaster is in your future. Like the ungodly kings of Israel (the northern kingdom) before you, you will be cutoff and your offspring with you so that your families hold of the throne is done. Further Jezebel will die in such a manner of that the dogs in the city will eat her and lick up her blood. The dogs will take care of your off spring that die in the city, and the birds will take care of those who die outside of the city.
At this point it is very likely that Ahab was fully aware of what Jezebel had done. We see nothing to indicate that he was clueless. When Elijah confronts Ahab, there is no question like “What are you talking about Elijah” Similar to when Nathan confronts David and states “You are the man David”. David did not need Nathan to explain it to him.
At that time, dogs were not domesticated as pets, but roamed the streets as scavengers. The Israelites considered a person’s body and spirit inseparable. Consequently, a corpse was treated with great care and still considered to be a part of the person’s existence. To have one’s body and blood devoured by dogs was unconscionable.
Since Jezebel was the one that did this terrible deed, why is Ahab confronted instead of Jezebel. Based on passages like , , and ; think that it is because God hold the husband accountable for all that happens in the home. While Jezebel may or may not have had Ahab’s explicit approval of her actions he is still held accountable.
B. Ahab repents
B. Ahab repents
(There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)
And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”
I kings 21:
1. An Aside
1. An Aside
(There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)
1 Kings 21:25-26
Evil and Ahab seem to go hand in hand. He had allowed himself to be led astray by his wife Jezebel. She had led him to worship idols like the Amorites had worshiped. The Amorites had occupied the land until they were cast of the land by Israelites. ()
Evil and Ahab seem to go hand in hand. He had allowed himself to be led astray by his wife Jezebel. She had led him to worship idols like the Amorites had worshiped. The Amorites had occupied the land until they were cast of the land by Israelites. ()
A warning to our young people to really know what someone believes before getting in a serious relationship. This is more than a simple “Are you a Christian?” and accepting a simple yes and moving forward. Grill them to make sure your are spiritually compatible. If one believes that parents should not guide a child spiritually, and the other believes in rearing a child to fear God, there are going to be problems. If one has a deep faith that permiates every aspect of their life and the other is a superficial belief that resembles “I go to church, I must be a Christian”, there are going to be problems. Parents and Grandparents, we need to encourage them in their quest for a mate that the person they are developing a relationship with is spiritually suited to your young person. Marriage is something that should not be entered into blindly. Couples spend several thousand on a wedding, planning takes hours but they spend little time and effort on planning their marriage. If you are contemplating marrying someone make sure you spend more time and effort planning your marriage then the wedding. The wedding ceremony and reception will only be a few hours, the marriage will affect you for a life time. There are thousands maybe millions of people that can tell stories of bad marriages because they failed to really know what their spouse was like before the marriage. This is not something to put off. This is true fro everyone, but even more so for Christians contemplating a spouse. Do not be unequally yoked in marriage. This is even more than just being Christians but goes into the making sure that you are spiritually compatible.
Ahab disregarded the Word of God and married a woman from another country that did not honor God, he allowed himself to be led astray to worship foreign gods and ignore the one true God.
2. The repentance
2. The repentance
2. The repentance
2. The repentance
1 Kings 21:27
And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly.
Apparently Ahab took the words from Elijah to heart. He repented and demonstrates it by tearing off his clothes, putting on sackcloth and going about dejected.
Apparently Ahab took the words from Elijah to heart. He repented and demonstrates it by tearing off his clothes, putting on sackcloth and going about dejected.
Repentance should be evident not only to the person that repented but by those around them. That does not mean that we put on sackcloth and go around with a long face. But with the forgiveness that can be found in Jesus we should have a new spring in our step.
3. God sees Ahab’s repentance
3. God sees Ahab’s repentance
And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”
1 Kings 21:28-
When God sees that Ahab has repented. God alters the sentence. instead of disaster coming to the family in Ahab’s day, it will come in the day of his son. We read about Ahab’s death in the next chapter (another time). Still v38 tells us that the dogs licked up the blood of Ahab after his death.
When God sees that Ahab has repented. God alters the sentence. instead of disaster coming to the family in Ahab’s day, it will come in the day of his son. We read about Ahab’s death in the next chapter (another time). Still v38 tells us that the dogs licked up the blood of Ahab after his death.
III)God’s Promise about Ahabs family fulfilled.
III)God’s Promise about Ahabs family fulfilled.
51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. blood of Ahab after his death.
III)God’s Promise about Ahabs family fulfilled.
III)God’s Promise about Ahabs family fulfilled.
A. The sons of Ahab succeed the reign of Ahab and die
A. The sons of Ahab succeed the reign of Ahab and die
Later we read that Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel He reigned two years over Israel. He fell through a lattice and eventually died. Make a note so that you do not get confused here. There is Ahaziah the son of Ahab that reigned over the northern kingdom. A few years later another Ahaziah who is the son of Jehoshaphat the reigned over the southern kingdom.
He was succeed by another son of Ahab and Jezebel named Joram that also did evil in the sight of God.
51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. blood of Ahab after his death.
He was followed by Jehu a captain in Israel’s army.
Anointed by Elisha to be king of Israel, he is also charged with duty of eradicating all of the house of Ahab, including a command to kill Jezebel and that she is not to be buried ()
Jehu goes to carry out Gods command, when he meets up with Joram.
And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?”
2 Kings 9:22
God does not forget His promises. Unlike men who forget things all of the time. God remembers and fulfills His promises in His time. Jehu kills Joram. He then gives direction about Joram’s body.
2 Kings 9:22-
Jehu said to Bidkar his aide, “Take him up and throw him on the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember, when you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father, how the Lord made this pronouncement against him: ‘As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares the Lord—I will repay you on this plot of ground.’ Now therefore take him up and throw him on the plot of ground, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”
And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?” Then Joram reined about and fled, saying to Ahaziah, “Treachery, O Ahaziah!” And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and shot Joram between the shoulders, so that the arrow pierced his heart, and he sank in his chariot. Jehu said to Bidkar his aide, “Take him up and throw him on the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember, when you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father, how the Lord made this pronouncement against him: ‘As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares the Lord—I will repay you on this plot of ground.’ Now therefore take him up and throw him on the plot of ground, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”
When Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled in the direction of Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him and said, “Shoot him also.” And they shot him in the chariot at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo and died there. His servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David.
2 Kings 9:25-26
God’s promise to Ahab is fulfilled again
God’s promise to Ahab is fulfilled again
B. The death of Jezebel
B. The death of Jezebel
I
B. The death of Jezebel
B. The death of Jezebel
The death of Jezebel
The death of Jezebel
When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. And she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out of the window. And as Jehu entered the gate, she said, “Is it peace, you Zimri, murderer of your master?” And he lifted up his face to the window and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked out at him. He said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down. And some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled on her. Then he went in and ate and drank. And he said, “See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king’s daughter.” But when they went to bury her, they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. When they came back and told him, he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘In the territory of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel, and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as dung on the face of the field in the territory of Jezreel, so that no one can say, This is Jezebel.’ ”
2 Kings 9:30-
Jezebel got wind of the Jehu’s arrival and what had happened to her sons. She adorns herself. Jehu asks to the palace “who is on my side?”. A couple Eunuch’s look out and Jehu commands them to throw Jezebel out the window where she splatters on the pavement.
Jehu goes into the palace and enjoys a meal before stating, “well after all, she is the daughter of kings, so we should show her some respect. So, go and bury her.” When they go out to bury her, all they find is her skull, feet and palms of her feet. A fulfillment of the promise delivered by Elijah.
God’s promise to Ahab is kept and Jezebel reaps what her life of following false gods had planted.
Sin has a way of ending in death, always. From Adam and Eve forward. So far no one has escaped life on this earth with out death. Sin will always get it’s reward—always.
C. Death to all of Ahab’s family
C. Death to all of Ahab’s family
2 Kings chapter 10 goes on with the death of all of Ahab’s descendents.
Sin has a way of ending in death, always! From Adam and Eve forward. So far no one has escaped life on this earth with out death. Sin will always get it’s reward—always.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Jezebel was not the kind of woman any of us would want to encounter. She serves as a cautionary tale of what not to do. While Ahab made many mistakes, the influence of this evil woman is not to be ignored in Ahab’s life.
She turned him to following false gods.
She was a lier and murderer.
She was conniving, plotting the murder of a man who did no wrong. This cost her not only her own life, but the lives of everyone in the family. This is a woman that was dangerous to her the people that royalty is to protect.
Her actions resulted in the deaths of many people. All for a little pride.
While Jezebel was a woman and royalty, we have the same capability to turn from God and be maybe tell a little white lie to get out of a difficult situation. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus raises the level of the law from what you do, to what you think. Men as well as women have the same capacity. Rich, poor, famous, unknown, having the finest, having nothing, we all have the capacity to fail as Jezebel did. What will we do, can we say with Joshua that with God’s help “I will serve the Lord?”
Prayer
Prayer
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
I Kings
Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.
But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ” And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you killed and also taken possession?” ’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.” ’ ”
Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel the Lord also said, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.’ Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat.”
(There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)
And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
2 Kings
Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tie up your garments, and take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. And when you arrive, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. And go in and have him rise from among his fellows, and lead him to an inner chamber. Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and flee; do not linger.”
So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. And when he came, behold, the commanders of the army were in council. And he said, “I have a word for you, O commander.” And Jehu said, “To which of us all?” And he said, “To you, O commander.” So he arose and went into the house. And the young man poured the oil on his head, saying to him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, I anoint you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel. And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her.” Then he opened the door and fled.
When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, they said to him, “Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the fellow and his talk.” And they said, “That is not true; tell us now.” And he said, “Thus and so he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.’ ” Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.”
Thus Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram with all Israel had been on guard at Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Syria, but King Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) So Jehu said, “If this is your decision, then let no one slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel.” Then Jehu mounted his chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to visit Joram.
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said, “I see a company.” And Joram said, “Take a horseman and send to meet them, and let him say, ‘Is it peace?’ ” So a man on horseback went to meet him and said, “Thus says the king, ‘Is it peace?’ ” And Jehu said, “What do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me.” And the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” Then he sent out a second horseman, who came to them and said, “Thus the king has said, ‘Is it peace?’ ” And Jehu answered, “What do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me.” Again the watchman reported, “He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously.”
Joram said, “Make ready.” And they made ready his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his chariot, and went to meet Jehu, and met him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?” Then Joram reined about and fled, saying to Ahaziah, “Treachery, O Ahaziah!” And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and shot Joram between the shoulders, so that the arrow pierced his heart, and he sank in his chariot. Jehu said to Bidkar his aide, “Take him up and throw him on the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember, when you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father, how the Lord made this pronouncement against him: ‘As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares the Lord—I will repay you on this plot of ground.’ Now therefore take him up and throw him on the plot of ground, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”
When Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled in the direction of Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him and said, “Shoot him also.” And they shot him in the chariot at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo and died there. His servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David.
In the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab, Ahaziah began to reign over Judah.
When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. And she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out of the window. And as Jehu entered the gate, she said, “Is it peace, you Zimri, murderer of your master?” And he lifted up his face to the window and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked out at him. He said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down. And some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled on her. Then he went in and ate and drank. And he said, “See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king’s daughter.” But when they went to bury her, they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. When they came back and told him, he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘In the territory of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel, and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as dung on the face of the field in the territory of Jezreel, so that no one can say, This is Jezebel.’ ”