Ahab
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(father’s brother) (1 Kings 16:29) — son of Omri and his successor, eighth king of Israel. He reigned 22 years (925–903 B.C.), and the seat of his kingdom was Samaria. He was married to Jezebel, daughter of the king of Sidon, a depraved and impious woman. She was a coarse idolater, and Ahab, following her example in everything, became likewise a worshiper of Baal, and even planted a grove and built an altar for this abominable idol-worship. Already in the early years of Ahab’s reign the sacred historian remarks: “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him” (1 Kings 16:30).