What can we learn from Jezebel?

Power without the fear of God becomes a tool of injustice: Jezebel uses the king’s seal and the forms of the law to do away with an innocent man (1 Kgs 21:8-14). An alliance that turns people away from the LORD has lasting consequences, even for the children (1 Kgs 16:31; 22:53; 2 Kgs 3:13). No threat is stronger than God’s faithfulness: Elijah, shattered by Jezebel, is lifted up and sent back on mission (1 Kgs 19:2-4, 15-16). The church must not tolerate what lures believers into impurity and idolatry: Christ is the one who “searcheth the reins and hearts” (Rev 2:20-23).

Divided kingdom · around 874–841 BC

Jezebel in the Bible

The queen who served Baal. Name meaning: Uncertain meaning of the Hebrew Izebel; the Bible does not explain it

The daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, Jezebel marries Ahab and plants the worship of Baal at the heart of the kingdom of Israel. She has the LORD’s prophets wiped out, threatens Elijah with death, and has Naboth stoned so that Ahab can have his vineyard: “Jezebel his wife stirred up” Ahab (1 Kgs 21:25). Jehu has her thrown from a window at Jezreel, and the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah is fulfilled (2 Kgs 9:30-37).

Main books: 1 Kings, 2 Kings

Key moments

She marries Ahab, king of Israel 1 Kings 16:31
She wipes out the LORD’s prophets 1 Kings 18:4
Hundreds of prophets eat at her table 1 Kings 18:19
She threatens Elijah with death 1 Kings 19:2
She writes letters in Ahab’s name 1 Kings 21:8
Naboth is stoned on her orders 1 Kings 21:13
Elijah announces her end: the dogs will eat her 1 Kings 21:23
She is thrown from a window at Jezreel 2 Kings 9:33

Strengths

Ambition
Cruelty
Idolatry
Determination

Weaknesses

Jezebel wiped out the LORD’s prophets, threatened Elijah, and had an innocent man condemned by false witnesses over a vineyard (1 Kgs 18:4; 19:2; 21:8-14). The text records no repentance on her part: to the very end, she defies Jehu (2 Kgs 9:30-31).

Lessons for today

Power without the fear of God becomes a tool of injustice: Jezebel uses the king’s seal and the forms of the law to do away with an innocent man (1 Kgs 21:8-14).
An alliance that turns people away from the LORD has lasting consequences, even for the children (1 Kgs 16:31; 22:53; 2 Kgs 3:13).
No threat is stronger than God’s faithfulness: Elijah, shattered by Jezebel, is lifted up and sent back on mission (1 Kgs 19:2-4, 15-16).
The church must not tolerate what lures believers into impurity and idolatry: Christ is the one who “searcheth the reins and hearts” (Rev 2:20-23).

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

1 Kings 16:31

But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

1 Kings 21:25

And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?

2 Kings 9:22

People around Jezebel

Ahab — Husband, king of Israel, whom she stirs up to evil
Elijah — The prophet she threatens with death
Ethbaal — Father, king of the Sidonians
Naboth — Owner of the vineyard, stoned on her orders
Joram — Son, king of Israel, killed by Jehu
Jehu — The king anointed to carry out judgment on her house

Stories with Jezebel

Quiz: how well do you know Jezebel?

Which king was Jezebel’s father?

Which king of Israel did Jezebel marry?

Which prophet did Jezebel threaten with death after Carmel?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.