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{{DOD-April}}
King Ahab has gone down in history as the most wicked king ever to rule [[Israel]]. His wife, Jezebel, ruled him from behind the scenes and saw to it that the worship of Baal was made the official religion of the land. Ahab sold himself to work evil and in today's reading we see his sins and his final [[judgment]].
Chapter 20 presents Ahab's defense. In verses 1-12 he was challenged by the king of Syria, who was assisted by 32 other kings. The [[Lord]] intervenes to [[save]] King Ahab and his people, even though Ahab did not deserve being saved. Finally, in verses 31-43 [[Satan]] accomplishes his mission as he leads Ahab into a wicked compromise with the enemy.
Chapter 21 records Ahab's deception as he desired the vineyard of Naboth. How terrible that lust and greed brought [[death]] to an innocent man, just to satisfy King Ahab and his wicked wife.
In reality, King Ahab was a great soldier who could have led [[Israel]] to [[victory]] and [[peace]] had he followed the [[Lord]] in truth; but his alliance with Baal worship and the evil influence of his [[God]]less wife brought him defeat. Ahab did experience the goodness of [[God]] in the military victories, yet refused to submit himself to the Law. He humbled himself outwardly when [[judgment]] was announced, and even then received a stay of execution, but his shallow repentance did not last. The years of drought and the great demonstration of [[God]]'s glory on Mt. Carmel did not soften his hard heart. He heart one of the greatest prophets of the [[Old Testament]] and yet did not repent! His 22 years of reign only led the nation farther away from [[God]]. Proverbs 29:1 tells us, "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
