Page 20 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

Jeroboam I (c. 922-901) made his political capital at Shechem.
He felt the need of religious centers to keep his people from
making pilgrimages to Jerusalem in the South. Therefore he set
up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, perhaps under the
influence of the animal gods he had seen in Egypt during his
exile there in Solomon’s time. The prophetic writers
condemned these images.

Omri (c. 876-869) does not receive much space in the book of
Kings, perhaps because he was not regarded as religiously
important, but his political importance is indicated by the fact
that a century later the Assyrians were still calling Israel “the
land of Omri.” Omri moved the capital of Israel to a new site,
Samaria, which soon vied with Jerusalem in
the beauty of its buildings. Omri cemented
an alliance with Tyre by marrying his son Ahab to Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king
of Tyre and Sidon. To the southeast, Omri conquered Moab, as recorded on
the Moabite Stone (pictured to the right)

Ahab (c. 869-850) continued the beautification of Samaria, building there an “ivory
house.” This means that his palace’s walls and its furniture were embellished with
carved ivory inlaid panels, such as have been found in excavations there. In Megiddo
Ahab built tremendous stables with stalls for about 450 horses. Jezebel, Ahab’s
Phoenician wife, brought with her and encouraged the worship of Baal and of the
goddess Asherah. Such idolatry as well as Ahab’s seizure of a private citizen’s
vineyard were condemned by the prophet Elijah.

Ahab was one of the leaders of a Syrian coalition which checked the advance of Shalmaneser III of
Assyria in the battle of Qarqar in 853 BCE. According to Assyrian records, Ahab brought to this battle
2,000 chariots (more than any other Syrian contingent) and 10,000 foot soldiers.

In Judah Jehoshaphat’s reign (c. 873-849) was marked by cooperation with Israel and by internal
religious reforms. He destroyed idols and pagan sanctuaries and sent out teachers of the law of the
Lord. By defeating a coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites he reestablished Judah’s control
over Edom.

An Israelite general, Jehu (c. 842-815), supported by prophets, led a revolt against Jehoram. Jehu killed
not only Jehoram, but also the latter’s nephew Ahaziah king of Judah (c. 842), who was a grandson of
Ahab. In executing judgment on Ahab’s house, Jehu ordered the death of Jezebel, Ahab’s widow, and of
the brothers of Jehoram and of Ahaziah. He also killed the worshipers of Baal.

Meanwhile in Judah a daughter of Ahab, Athaliah (c. 842-837), was trying to wipe out the Davidic
dynasty and to encourage Baal worship. After hearing that Jehu had killed her son Ahaziah, she seized
power herself and killed her own grandchildren, except for a baby boy, Joash, who was hidden in the
Temple. After six years the high priest Jehoiada had Joash (c. 837-800) crowned as king. Athaliah and
the priest of Baal were killed, and the temple of Baal was destroyed. Jehoiada gave Joash wise guidance

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