Ahab’s Legacy of Death

Synopsis     1Kings 21:21-22:03     7/4/2019 

Elijah prophesied against Ahab and his family. Ahab and his wife Jezebel had made a conspiracy with the elders of Jezreel to kill the owner of a property adjacent next to their palace. After the killing, Ahab took possession of the vineyard property.  

God revealed to Elijah what Ahab and Jezebel had done. And so, Elijah went to the vineyard property. And he found Ahab there. So, he prophesied doom against Ahab and his entire family.  

Ahab was struck by the prophets’ words. For that reason, he repented by tearing his garments and putting on ashes and sackcloth.  

Now because Ahab had humbled himself, Elijah received another word from God. God forgave Ahab and deferred the prophesied punishment to his sons. 

Ahab’s Legacy of Death 

Ahab ruined Naboth’s legacy. He not only participated in Naboth’s murder, but he stole the assets of his estate. He stole from Naboth’s future generations.  

Yet, God spared Ahab’s life. Because he repented with great humility, he avoided the just punishment that was due to him. Instead, according to the prophet, the punishment would come upon his son.  

This was Ahab’s legacy. His children were sure to inherit.  

Living For Legacy 

How will my actions affect the generations who follow me? 

Almost nothing challenges decision-making like this one, simple question. The aggregate of goodwill or ill-will invariably impacts the lives of my children and my children’s children. If follows, that nothing exposes shortsightedness and selfishness in the same way as an honest response to this one question.  

I am not living for myself.  

And this is more than a decision I will overtly make. It is the condition of a life lived in freedom.  

“The just walk in integrity; happy are their children after them!” Prov 20:7