Burning Bush Blogs
Equipping Men with Biblical Knowledge and Leadership Skills
Category: Group Study
Thread: Meanest Women of the Bible
Post Topic: Jezebel
Post in Thread: #1 (divided into 5 parts)
Scripture: I Kings 16:31 – I Kings 19:5
I Kings 21:1-23
2 Kings 9:30-37
[Ahab] also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.I Kings 16:31-33
Note – This story is divided into smaller sections in order to keep with the Burning Bush Blog’s pledge to produce less-demanding studies. But there is no right or wrong pace. Use in whatever manner works for you and your group.
Part 1 – Jezebel Battles Against Yahweh
Passages: I Kings 16:31-33, I Kings 17:1, I Kings 18:13
Key Verses:
…[Ahab] also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him…
I Kings 16:31
Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”
I Kings 17:1
“Haven’t you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord’s prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.” (Obadiah to Elijah)
I Kings 18:13
Observations
Context
- Idol worship by Israel’s neighbors had always affected Israel. King Solomon, the son of David, took many wives. They influenced him to permit worshiping other gods at the highest level.
- King Ahab and Jezebel appeared on the scene about 100 years later, and it had gotten worse. Much worse.
- In I Kings 16:25-26, we read of Ahab’s father, King Omri, who angered God by worshipping idols. Omri was considered the worst of all until Ahab took the throne.
- Ahab didn’t suddenly turn bad when he married Jezebel. But she certainly didn’t help.
Geography
- Sidon, the home of Jezebel, is a coastal city in modern-day Lebanon, north of Israel.
- Samaria, where Ahab built a temple to Baal, was located in the hill country of Ephraim about 30+ miles north of Jerusalem.
Events – the unholy union
- King Ahab marries Jezebel, the pagan daughter of the King of Sidon
- Immediately, Jezebel persuades him to establish widespread worship of Baal and Asherah.
- Jezebel brings 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah from Sidon, and they “eat at her table,: which means she provides for all their needs.
- She floods Israel with pagan worship sites and begins the rituals of worship.
Events – the prophet and the drought
- God sends the prophet Elijah to declare a drought until Ahab/Jezebel repent.
- This is the first mention of Elijah in the Bible. He just appears on the scene, suddenly.
- He declares that neither ran nor dew shall fall on the land until further notice.
Events – the reaction: rampage
- Rather than repent, Jezebel goes on a rampage, killing God’s prophets.
- Notice the Bible specifically says that Jezebel is the one killing God’s prophets, and not King Ahab.
- A man named Obadiah (not the prophet Obadiah), who served the true God, was an official in Ahab’s court.
- He hid God’s prophets from Jezebel in caves. He also snuck food to them during the drought.
Discussion
- What would Ahab have thought when this ragged prophet from the wilderness shows up with threats about a drought?
- As the drought dragged on into its third year, why did Jezebel decide to kill God’s prophets? She could have repented, but seemed to think a better strategy was to completely defy God.
- Like Adam standing by as Eve ate the forbidden fruit, Ahab did nothing. Why not?
Interpretation
Setting
Spiritually, the setting was one of the darkest times in the history of Israel. The widespread worship of Baal and Asherah was demonic. Sexual rites and child sacrifice were important parts of Baal and Asherah worship.
Ahab was a king in the northern kingdom of Israel after the split. Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah were to the south.
Genre/Author
The author of this historical narrative is traditionally considered to be Jeremiah. Ezra and Ezekiel have also been considered.
Takeaways
- Jezebel’s position as queen gave her unlimited power to do good for Ahab’s people, but she unrelentingly chose evil.
- It may have been a marriage of political convenience (Jezebel was the princess of Sidon), but she domineered over Ahab.
- The marriage flaunted the prohibition of marriage with foreign women in Deuteronomy 7:3-4.
- God doesn’t sit idly by. He sent his prophet to warn Ahab that there would not be a drop of rain until Ahab changed and stood up to this woman.
- Instead, Ahab passively allowed her to hunt down the men of God.
- Thank the Lord for a faithful man like Obadiah who saved at least 100 godly men.
Discussion
Obadiah gets a tiny mention here, but his story is fascinating.
- Imagine a dictator took over our country and started rounding up all the pastors for execution. This may be far-fetched for America, but it happens all over the world, in dictatorships and radical Muslim countries.
- Would we hide our leaders in caves? Would we sneak food to them?
- Did Ahab know Obadiah was a man of God, or did Obadiah help the prophets in complete secrecy?
Correlation
- Proverbs 7:24-27 – The entire chapter, Proverbs 7, is a vivid description of a young man being tempted by an evil seductress. It warns the men of Israel (and us today) against giving into her temptations – it will cost us our life: like a deer stepping into a noose until an arrow pierces its liver.
Application
Generic Applications
- When evil clutches the throat of a nation, or an individual, only God can loose its grip.
- We must heed the warnings of Proverbs 7. Avoid the ungodly temptress. She can ruin our lives.
Group Discussion
- Israel’s kings led the people into unbelievable depths of depravity. How much influence do leaders actually have for inspiring good or inciting evil? Can and should we stand up to them?
- Ahab made a bad choice in marriage. What strategies can help us avoid similar pitfalls?
Part 2 – Yahweh Embarrasses Jezebel
Passage: I Kings 18:16-46
Key Verses:
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”
I Kings 18:38-39
Observations
Context
- Mt Carmel is a 20-mile mountain range in northwest Israel near the sea. It separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Jezreel Valley.
- Thinking back to King Solomon, who began to permit idolatry: one of the high places he used for pagan worship was on Mt Carmel.
Events – The Prophet Bowl
- Mt. Carmel hosted the showdown of the century: the world series of prophets. It was Wrestlemania, the Olympics, the Super Bowl, and the presidential debates all rolled into one massive event.
- On one side, you have the challenger: Elijah, the lonely man of Yahweh with his aide.
- On the other side, you have King Ahab and Jezebel’s men: the hundreds of prophets of Baal.
- The spectators – thousands of Israelites lined the top of the mountain, curious to get a look at the hairy prophet of God who dared defy the king. Rumor has it, he’s the one who called for this drought.
- Perhaps today would be the day the storm clouds would finally return. Surely today, Elijah will get what’s coming to him.
- On the other hand, if it was Yahweh who really caused this lack of rain, then maybe we’re about to see a massive upset…
- The priests of Baal go first. Their altar is ready, and they begin to pray to their gods.
- Nothing happens. They scream, cut themselves, writhe on the ground, tear their clothes.
- Hours pass with no fire.
- Elijah mocks them.
- Where is your god? Scream louder, maybe he can’t hear you.
- Perhaps he’s on vacation. Keep trying.
- I know, maybe he’s sleeping. Scream a bit louder and wake him up.
- Is he using the latrine?
- The crowd hushes as Elijah steps up to his broken down altar. What’s he doing?
- Reverently, he repairs the altar, using 12 stones, one for each of the tribes of Israel.
- Elijah douses the altar and the sacrifices with water. Is he nuts?
- Elijah motions to the opponent. They dig trenches, and bring up buckets of water from the nearby river. The trenches are filled.
- Elijah lifts up a simple prayer to the one true God.
- The fire of the Lord falls from heaven! The entire altar is burnt to crisp. Even the water in the trenches is licked up by the intense flame.
- The people go wild, praising the God of Abraham.
- Elijah commands them to seize and kill Jezebel’s evil prophets of Baal.
Discussion
- Why did Elijah soak the altar and sacrifice before praying for God to send fire?
- Doesn’t it seem ridiculous to us today that they thought a man-made god (Baal) could send fire from heaven? Did you enjoy how Elijah trash-talked them? What insults would you have hurled?
Interpretation
Setting
Mt. Carmel, with the Great Sea to the west and the plains of Jezreel to the east. This was already a place for the worship of Baal and Asherah.
Takeaways
- The quiet confidence of Elijah sits in stark contrast to the heathen prophets.
- Jezebel’s hirelings had been taught that they had to get their gods’ attention by cutting themselves with the sword and making all kinds of demonstrations.
- Elijah simply repaired the altar and offered a simple prayer, remembering God’s chosen people.
- God’s fire left no doubt. It consumed everything. Yahweh had shown up, in spectacular fashion.
- The people’s reaction was immediate. The spirit must have moved among them, as they realized how far they had strayed.
Discussion
- Why do people expect to see the spectacular before believing?
- Is God more pleased when we believe without some dazzling event?
Correlation
Proverbs 5:20-22 – This chapter and these verses talk about avoiding the snares of an immoral woman. Under Jezebel’s influence, Ahab ensnared not just himself but all Israel in demonic worship—sexual perversion and child sacrifice.
Application
Generic Applications
- Defying God does not work out so well, but sometimes it may take a while to experience the consequences. The drought lasted three years before Elijah confronted Ahab and Jezebel head-on.
- It is often said today in Christian circles that our modern-day idols are anything that we elevate to a position of importance higher than God in our lives.
Group Discussion
- What are some modern-day “idols” that can lead our fellow church-goers, and ourselves, astray?
- Jezebel and Ahab were told that Yahweh would cause the drought. But they still rejected God. What causes people to outright reject God, even in the face of evidence?
Part 3 – Jezebel Swears Revenge
Passage: I Kings 19:1-9
Key Verses:
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life…
I Kings 19:1-3
Observations
Context
Elijah had just scored a massive victory over Jezebel and the forces of Baal at Mt. Carmel.
Events
- Ahab goes crying back to Jezebel about the massive failure of her god, and the death of her prophets.
- Does Jezebel repent? Nope. She swears to Elijah that she’s going to have him killed.
- Elijah runs for his life, getting as far away as he can.
- Despondent to the point of wanting to die, he is ministered to by an angel.
Discussion
- Do you think Ahab emphasized the power of the one true God to Jezebel? Or did he blame everything on that mean prophet Elijah?
- How would you have broken the news that all her prized prophets were dead? If you’re married, how do you break bad news to your spouse?
- I wonder if Ahab was actually a bit scared of her…
Interpretation
Setting
When Elijah fled from Jezebel, he left Samaria and ran into Judah, all the way south to Beersheba. It was about 100 miles. Then he went another full day into the desert and sat under a broom tree.
Takeaways
- Jezebel should have bowed in repentance at the power of God. Instead, she went the other way.
- Even the greatest of prophets can be scared in the face of evil.
- Such a high was followed by such a low for Elijah.
- After an angel brought Elijah food and drink, he slept and slept and slept. And God comforted him.
- Verses following this passage talk about the food and rest comforting Elijah. He then took a forty-day journey to Horeb, and hid out in a place where Moses had also received refuge.
Discussion
- How could Jezebel not be afraid of God, at the very least? I suspect her heart was hardened like Pharaoh’s during the 10 plagues.
- Does it surprise you that a great prophet, having just witnessed the power of the almighty God, could be so easily frightened? He stood up to Ahab, but Jezebel was another matter…
Correlation
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Moses and Elijah represent the ultimate in the Law and the Prophets. Both experienced the glory of the mountain-top and the discouragement of the valley. Both knew fear. As God comforted Elijah under the broom tree, it’s highly possible He quoted Moses.
Application
Generic Applications
- Beware after experiencing the highest of high moments with God. Satan doesn’t like it and will attack. It can be followed by a very low moment.
- Sometimes we just need sustenance to pull us out of our depression. Food, sleep, and companionship. God provided them all to Elijah. It’s okay to take time to rest and recover.
Group Discussion
- Have you ever experienced something great that God has done in your life? What followed?
- How can we take refuge in God’s promises when enemies seem to lurk around every corner, or when difficult times follow us?
Part 4 – Treacherous Scheming
Passage: I Kings 21:5-16
Key Verses:
Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
I Kings 21:7
Observations
Events
- Ahab is pouting like a baby because Naboth refused to sell his vineyard, which Ahab coveted.
- Jezebel notices he isn’t sleeping or eating and gets Ahab to tell her what’s wrong.
- She arranges a day of fasting for the people to gather with the elders, and with Naboth present.
- She hires lying “scoundrels” to falsely testify that Naboth has cursed God and king.
- She instructs them to seat Naboth at a seat of honor.
- Then, during the ceremony, she has them make the accusation.
- Naboth is declared a traitor and stoned.
- The vineyard becomes the property of the reigning monarch, whose wife is none other than Jezebel.
Discussion
- What was the real motivation for Ahab’s sulking and not eating in Jezebel’s precense?
- Do you think Jezebel was irritated with Ahab for his depending on her to do his dirty work? Did she show respect when she implied he was a weak king, so oh well, okay, I will get it for you?
- Did this couple know any degree of happiness with each other?
Interpretation
Setting
Ahab built a second palace of ivory in Jezreel (I Kings 22:39 ). Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel was adjacent to Ahab’s palace (I Kings 21:1).
Takeaways
- Jezebel is the power-person in this marriage.
- She knows how to beguile Ahab.
- But he also knows how to manipulate her.
- He knew she wouldn’t leave it alone when she found out what bothered him.
- This was just as bad as Ahab murdering Naboth himself.
- Naboth didn’t want to give away or sell what he’d inherited from his ancestors. He believed it violated Mosaic laws.
- Naboth’s standing up to the king got him killed.
- It was quite a scheme that Jezebel quickly concocted. Accused in a public forum by multiple witnesses without forewarning – how could Naboth defend himself?
- The “scoundrels” in the story are villains too. They essentially committed murder for money.
Discussion
- Who is the worst person in this treachery? Ahab, Jezebel, or the false accusers?
- Do you think this nasty group is going to get away with it?
Correlation
- Proverbs 5:6 “For she cares nothing about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.”
- Unsuspecting Naboth said “no” to Ahab. Naboth’s path of life was irrelevant to Jezebel.
- She was staggering down a crooked trail of destruction, destroying anyone who opposed her. She gloried in the innocent man’s death and in her victory.
Application
Generic Applications
- We don’t always get everything we want. God gives us what we need, but not always what we want.
Group Discussion
- There are many applications that could be derived from this story. What are some of the sins that were committed that perhaps weren’t discussed in this short blog?
- Have you experienced wanting something, but God shut the door?
Dig Deeper – Time permitting, read the remainder of the chapter (I Kings 21:17-29). God sends Elijah to have another chat with Ahab, in the vineyard that he recently confiscated from Naboth. Ahab says “So now you have found me, my enemy.”
- What did Ahab think, when standing in the vineyard he’d committed murder to acquire, out of nowhere marches up Elijah?
- What does Elijah tell Ahab is going to happen to him?
- What does Elijah say is going to happen to Jezebel?
- How does Ahab react? Was this true repentance? Or just sorrow that he got caught?
- What’s your main takeaway from this exchange?
Part 5 – Rebellious to the End
Passage: II Kings 9:30-37
Key Verse:
36 They went back and told Jehu, who said, “This is the word of the Lord that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. 37 Jezebel’s body will be like dung on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, ‘This is Jezebel.’”
II Kings 9:36-37
Observations
Context
- Back in I Kings 21, Elijah had confronted Ahab over his wickedness in the affair over Naboth’s vineyard. In I Kings 21:23, he specifically prophesied that dogs would devour Jezebel by the walls of Jezreel, just as dogs had licked up the blood of Naboth.
- Jehu had been anointed king of Israel by the prophet Elisha (Elijah’s successor). Before going to find Jezebel, he had slain her son Jorab, the previous king, in the same field that had been stolen from Naboth.
Events
- When Jezebel sees Jehu approaching, she knows why he is there.
- Her reaction? She fixes her hair and puts on makeup.
- She calls out an insult to Jehu, calling him Zimri, a king who had taken the throne violently, but reigned for only seven days before he was also overthrown.
- Eunuchs turn on her, and throw her from a wall in the royal stables.
- As her blood spatters the walls, horses trample her.
- Jehu ends the life of Jezebel ten years after Ahab’s death in a battle against Ramoth-Gilead.
- After having lunch, Jehu and his men go to bury the woman, but dogs have enjoyed lunch also.
- Elijah’s prophecy about the woman who would defy Yahweh to the end, have come true.
Discussion
Why did Jezebel care about her appearance when she knew death was imminent? Why do women care more about their appearance than men do?
Interpretation
Setting
Royal horse stables in the palace area of Jezreel.
Takeaways
- As Jehu approached, Jezebel had one last opportunity to repent. To beg for mercy. Would Jehu have spared her? Unlikely. But God could have still forgiven her.
- Instead, she remains rebellious to the death.
- She insults the one who sent by God.
- She dresses herself up, flaunting her sexuality to the end.
- Pride goes before a fall. And fall she did.
- Jezebel grew up as a passionate, pagan idol-worshiper in Sidon, her father a priest of Baal. Not surprising she’d hate the true God and a prophet like Elijah, whose name meant “Yahweh is my God.” How we raise our children can’t be over-valued.
- Elijah’s prophecy from at least a decade earlier is fulfilled, within sight of Naboth’s vineyard.
Correlation
- Revelation 2:20 – Jezebel’s personal legacy was still evident in the book of Revelation. Jesus reprimanded the church of Thyatira for putting up with the acts of an evil woman who called herself a prophet. Jesus called her Jezebel.
- Proverbs 6:12-19 – A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
- Here’s the problem. Jezebel didn’t consider herself a troublemaker. Those who walk the path of abomination convince themselves everyone else is a fool.
Application
Generic Applications
- Jezebel’s legacy of turning Israelites into worshipers of pagan gods was a problem for Israel long-term. Cultural evil isn’t an easy fix.
- The more we defy God, the harder our heart turns. And the harder it becomes to ever repent and turn back to him.
Group Discussion
- Are you glad that God’s enemies will be punished?
- Should someone like Jezebel be given a break because of how she was raised, in a home environment where Baal and Asherah were everything? Did she deserve that death?
- What about someone today whose childhood was a mess – should they be given more leeway?
- Did Jezebel have opportunities to turn to Yahweh?
Bible study methodology adapted from Searching the Scriptures with permission from Tyndale House:
Swindoll, Charles, Searching the Scriptures. Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.
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