Editing Ahab (section)

==Reign==
As Omri's successor, Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of [[Ithobaal I]] of [[Tyre, Lebanon|Tyre]]. Under Jezebel's influence, he abandoned Yahweh and established [[Baal#Baʿal|Baal]] and [[Asherah]] cults in Israel according to 1 Kings 16:29–33. For example, he allowed Hiel the Bethelite to rebuild [[Jericho]], even though it was 'cursed' by Yahweh (1 Kings 16:34), and helped his wife kill opponents, such as the "servants of Yahweh" and possibly, the priests of [[Jeroboam#Temples|Jeroboam's cult]] (1 Kings 18:3–16).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=1 Kings 18 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges |url=https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/1_kings/18.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211024756/https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/1_kings/18.htm |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |website=Biblehub.com}}</ref> Edward Lipiński argues that the "Baal" worshipped by Ahab and Jezebel was the "[[Kuntillet Ajrud inscriptions|YHWH of Samaria]]", which was opposed as Yahwist heresy by the Judean priests.<ref name="lipinski">[[Edward Lipiński (orientalist)|Edward Lipiński]] "Studia z dziejów i kultury starożytnego Bliskiego Wschodu" Nomos Press, 2013, {{ISBN|978-83-7688-156-0}}</ref> Others disagree based on archaeological evidence and extrabiblical sources about Jezebel's upbringing.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Korpel |first=Marjo C. A. |date=May 2008 |title=Fit for a Queen: Jezebel's Royal Seal |url=http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/uncategorized/fit-for-a-queen-jezebels-royal-seal |access-date=17 November 2013 |publisher=Biblical Archaeology Society}}</ref><ref>Merrill F. Unger, ''Unger’s Bible Dictionary'' (Chicago: Moody Press, 1977) 327.</ref>

In terms of foreign policy, Ahab continued Omri's policies against Moab, which was a [[tributary state]] of Israel (2 Kings 1:1). According to the Moabite Mesha Stele, Omri and Ahab "oppressed [[Moab]] for many days". By marriage, he allied with [[Jehoshaphat]], who was the king of Judah (2 Kings 8:16–18). [[Aram-Damascus]] was the only foreign state that Ahab opposed but he made peace with them after [[Hadadezer|their king]] promised to withdraw from conquered territory. He also allowed Ahab to conquer Aramean territory to compensate (1 Kings 20:34).{{sfn|Cook|1911|pp=428–429}}{{sfn|Cook|1911|pp=428–429}}
[[File:Karkar.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Shalmaneser III]]'s (859–824 BC) [[Kurkh Monolith]] names King Ahab.]]

===Battle of Qarqar===
The [[Battle of Qarqar]] is mentioned in extra-biblical records, and occurred at [[Apamea, Syria|Apamea]], where [[Shalmaneser III]] of [[Assyria]] fought a great confederation of princes from [[Cilicia]], northern [[Syria (region)|Syria]], Israel, [[Ammon]], and the tribes of the [[Syrian Desert|Syrian desert]] (853 BCE), including Arabs, Ahab the Israelite (''A-ha-ab-bu <sup>mat</sup>Sir-'a-la-a-a''){{sfn|Craig|1887|pp=201–232}} and [[Hadadezer]] (''Adad-'idri'').{{sfn|Cook|1911|pp=428–429}}

Ahab's contribution was estimated at 2,000 [[chariot]]s and 10,000 men. In reality, however, the number of chariots in Ahab's forces was probably closer to a number in the hundreds (based upon archaeological excavations of the area and the foundations of stables that have been found).{{sfn|Coogan|2009|p=243}} If, however, the numbers are referring to allies, they could include forces from Tyre, [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]], [[Edom]], and [[Moab]]. The Assyrian king claimed victory, but his immediate return and subsequent expeditions in 849 BC and 846 BC against a similar but unspecified coalition implied that the victory had no lasting impact.

[[Jezreel (city)|Jezreel]] was identified as Ahab's fortified chariot and cavalry base.{{sfn|Ussishkin|2010|pp=}}

===Ahab and the prophets===
In the Biblical text, Ahab has four important encounters with prophets:
#The first encounter is with [[Elijah]], who predicts a drought because of Ahab's sins.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Kings|17:1}}</ref> Because of this, Ahab blames Elijah for Israel's misfortunes but Elijah proclaims the supremacy of Yahweh so that Ahab could repent.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Kings|18:17–40}}</ref>
#The second encounter is between Ahab and an unnamed prophet, who criticized him for sparing [[Hadadezer|Ben-hadad]] and told him that Israel would be invaded by the Arameans as punishment.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Kings|20:34-43}}</ref>
#The third is with Elijah, who criticized his role in [[Naboth]]'s unjust execution. Ahab sincerely repents, which Yahweh relays to Elijah.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Kings|21:27}}</ref>
#The fourth encounter is with [[Micaiah]], who initially tells Ahab that he would re-capture [[Ramoth-Gilead]] before revealing that Ahab was deceived by his Yahwistic court prophets who had a lying spirit in their mouths which was sent by Yahweh himself. Instead of victory, he would die in battle.<ref name="bibleverse|1 Kings |22">{{bibleverse|1 Kings|22}}</ref>{{sfn|Achtemeier|1996|p=18}}

===Death of Ahab===
[[File:093.The Death of Ahab.jpg|200px|thumbnail|right|Death of Ahab, by Gustave Doré]]

Ahab is mortally wounded by an unaimed arrow after he and Jehoshaphat tried to re-capture [[Ramoth-Gilead]] from the Arameans.{{sfn|Cook|1911|pp=428–429}}<ref name="bibleverse|1 Kings |22" /> Depending on translation, Ahab's corpse was licked by dogs or a combination of dogs and pigs, according to Elijah's prophecy. It marked his "uncleanliness" in the presence of Israelites, who abstained from pork consumption.{{sfn|Coogan|2009}}{{page needed|date=May 2021}}