In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him.
1 Kings 16:29-31
Continuing in the same geographic region again, today’s site is Jezreel. The tel is built above the spring that was mentioned where King Saul’s men mustered and next to Mount Gilboa. The name of the city got attached to the Valley of Jezreel, of which the city is at the southeast corner. While few remains are visible on top of the tel, it offers a commanding view of the area, guarding the route from the Jezreel valley to the west/northwest and down the narrower Harod Valley to the southeast. Along with water and agriculture, it’s easy to see what made this such a desirable location to build a city.
King Ahab built a palace in this city, making it his secondary capital (after Samaria). If you’re familiar with the story of Naboth’s vineyard, that took place here. This is also where his queen, Jezebel, was killed. Ahab may have wisely chosen a place for a palace, but his moral failures and turning away from God resulted in his downfall. May we learn from his mistakes.
