Topical Bible: Reproof: Despised by Ahab

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In the biblical narrative, reproof is often depicted as a necessary and divine instrument for correction and guidance. However, the response to reproof can vary significantly, as illustrated in the life of King Ahab, who is noted for his disdain towards it.

Ahab, the son of Omri, was the seventh king of Israel and is infamously remembered for his idolatry and wickedness, largely influenced by his marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess. His reign is marked by a series of confrontations with the prophet Elijah, who served as a divine mouthpiece for reproof and correction.

One of the most notable instances of Ahab's despise for reproof is found in the account of Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21). Ahab coveted the vineyard of Naboth, a Jezreelite, which was adjacent to his palace in Jezreel. When Naboth refused to sell or exchange his ancestral inheritance, Ahab returned home sullen and angry. Jezebel, observing his discontent, orchestrated a plot that led to Naboth's unjust execution, allowing Ahab to seize the vineyard.

The LORD sent Elijah to confront Ahab with a message of reproof and judgment: "Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?" (1 Kings 21:19). Elijah prophesied the downfall of Ahab's house, declaring that dogs would lick up his blood in the same place where they licked Naboth's. Despite the gravity of this reproof, Ahab's initial response was not one of repentance but of resentment.

Another significant episode is Ahab's interaction with the prophet Micaiah, son of Imlah, before the battle at Ramoth-gilead (1 Kings 22). Ahab, in alliance with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, sought counsel from his prophets, who unanimously predicted victory. However, Jehoshaphat requested a prophet of the LORD, leading to Micaiah's summoning. Micaiah, known for his integrity and truthfulness, delivered a message of impending defeat and disaster. Ahab's reaction was one of hostility, as he exclaimed, "Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?" (1 Kings 22:18). Ahab's disdain for Micaiah's reproof led him to imprison the prophet and proceed with his ill-fated campaign, ultimately resulting in his death.

Ahab's life serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of despising divine reproof. His refusal to heed the warnings of God's prophets not only led to personal ruin but also to the downfall of his dynasty. The biblical account of Ahab underscores the importance of humility and receptiveness to correction, as emphasized in Proverbs: "He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding" (Proverbs 15:32).

In summary, Ahab's interactions with Elijah and Micaiah highlight a consistent pattern of rejecting divine reproof, which is a recurring theme in his narrative. His life exemplifies the consequences of hardening one's heart against God's corrective voice, serving as a somber reminder of the importance of embracing reproof with a spirit of repentance and humility.

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1 Kings 18:17
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, Are you he that troubles Israel?
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1 Kings 21:20
And Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he answered, I have found you: because you have sold yourself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
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1 Kings 22:8
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
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Library

The Prophet Micah.
... of an announcement which concerned Ahab only, needs no ... from the promise to a new
reproof and threatening ... places of the forest,""hence, despised, solitary, and ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet micah.htm

Concerning Rehoboam, and How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him for ...
... From The Death Of David To The Death Of Ahab. ... unrighteous and irreligious practices,
and he despised the worship ... own sober way of living, as a reproof of their ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning rehoboam and.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... of the Lord.' The same thing was said by Elijah to Ahab"a noble ... fall on those who
would none of God's counsel, and despised all His reproof, but cling to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

2 Cor. xii. 16-18
... Thus when Ahab saw Elijah, he was ashamed, even when he ... Was not what he said then
simply a reproof? ... foot the law of God, thou hast despised the commandments ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxviii 2 cor xii.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof, and have not ...
by holding them, in espousing his quarrel, as Jehoshaphat joining with Ahab. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm

Walking with God
... Jehoshaphat, when they perceived it was not Ahab they were ... the word of God is profitable
for reproof, for correction ... God when most cast out and despised by men? ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3
... Israel thus to sin, but it culminated under Ahab and Jezebel. ... Reproof b e -1.
Crimination f 2-. Warning ... bending unto thee: And all they that despised thee shall ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people on the earth .htm

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... Jehoshaphat was reproved for joining with Ahab, because he ... of an invasive war, and
no reproof recorded, that ... would not come, seeing they despised Saul's mean ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... as to give testimony to the Resurrection, [183]319, [184]320; a reproof to costly ...
259; a foretaste of judgment or of reward, [654]333; convicted Ahab to his ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm