Ahab

Ahab ( אחאב, " brother of the father " ) was of about 871-852 BC, king of the northern kingdom of Israel and son of King Omri. Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of the Phoenician king Ittobaal ( Etbaal ) of Sidon, probably for political reasons. From this marriage the sons Ahaziah and Jehoram and Athaliah the daughter emerged.

Biblical tradition

In foreign policy, Israel experienced a period of prosperity under Ahab. Relations with the rich Phoenicia brought economic benefits, such as the respect for valuable ivory Ahab king 's palace. Even with the Kingdom of Judah under Jehoshaphat insisted despite the religious differences good relations that have been confirmed by a marriage alliance. First Ahab Ben- Hadad II defeated Aram (Damascus ), and then joined together with him 853 BC at the Battle of Karkar on the Orontes the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III. contrary. However, it should have been about 852 BC mortally wounded in another battle against the Syrians. In research, the corresponding narratives of the Bible ( 1 Kings 20 1 Kings 22 EU and EU) regarding Ahab viewed as unlikely as it is considered anachronistic supplement found probably later input. On Ahab go to some buildings in its capital Samaria and the so-called Solomon's Stables at Megiddo back.

Like all members of the dynasty of Omri sees the Bible as Ahab wicked king, not least because of his marriage to an " infidel " Phoenician. Ahab admitted that his wife Jezebel introduced the worship of Baal in Israel and Yahweh's followers were persecuted, after him God's punishment was announced by the Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel. By Athaliah wife of Jehoram of Judah, Ahab was an ancestor of the later kings of Judah.

Assyrian sources

Ahab is usually equated with (A -ha -ab - bu) of KUR SiR3 -la- aa, the Shalmaneser III. mentioned on the Kurkh monolith. This was part of a consisting of twelve States anti-Assyrian alliance, which also Adad - idri ( Hadadezer ) of Aram and Irhuleni of Hamath mitkämpften. The identification of A- ha -ab -bu with Ahab is, however, doubted by some researchers ( Kelle 2002, 642 ).