In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri became king over Israel; and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 1 Kings 16:29-30
There is so much that to be said about today’s scripture.
First, God makes it clear who the subject is – Ahab the son of Omri, mentioned three times in fifty-four words. Why the repeat of the phrase over and over in such a short time?
When you make such an accusation, you really want to make it crystal clear who you are talking about.
Many other men in those days had the name Ahab. But Ahab that lived by the sea or Ahab the son of Bob have no responsible for the sin that would befall the nation. Let’s not forget the captain obsessed with a white whale. He’s not responsible either.
That honor goes to Ahab the son of Omri.
With that said, “Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him.”
Note: more evil than all the evil-doers before him.
I would not want to go through history with that attached to me. Neither would Ahab that lives by the sea or Ahab the son of Bob.
Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Your name and what others think about you is important. The name Adolf Hitler gives a feeling of death, destruction, and hatred.
The name Mother Teresa gives the feeling of charity, selflessness, and benevolence.
What do others feel and think when they hear your name?