Ahaziah is a name given to two separate kings in the Bible, one who ruled over the Northern Kingdom of Israel and another who ruled over the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Both kings were known for their wickedness and were linked to the corrupt House of Ahab.
Ahaziah, King of Israel (Son of Ahab)
This Ahaziah was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, two of the most infamous rulers of Israel.
Reign and Character
Ahaziah ruled over Israel in Samaria for two years. His reign was marked by open idolatry, following in the wicked footsteps of his parents.
- 1 Kings 22:52-53 (KJV): “And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin: For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.”
The Prophet Elijah’s Rebuke and Death
Ahaziah suffered a severe injury from a fall through a lattice in his upper chamber. Instead of seeking the LORD, he sent messengers to inquire of the pagan god Baal-zebub of Ekron concerning his recovery.
The prophet Elijah intercepted the messengers and delivered the word of the LORD, condemning the king for seeking a false god:
- 2 Kings 1:16 (KJV): “And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.”
Ahaziah’s attempts to capture Elijah resulted in the miraculous destruction of two military captains and their companies by fire from heaven. Eventually, Elijah went to the king and repeated the divine sentence, and Ahaziah died shortly thereafter, as he had no son, his brother Joram reigned in his stead (2 Kings 1:17).
Ahaziah, King of Judah (Son of Jehoram)
This Ahaziah, also called Jehoahaz (2 Chronicles 21:17) and Azariah (2 Chronicles 22:6), was the son of Jehoram and Athaliah. His mother, Athaliah, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, making this Ahaziah the nephew of Ahaziah of Israel.
Reign and Downfall
Ahaziah reigned in Jerusalem for only one year (2 Kings 8:26). He too “walked in the way of the house of Ahab,” because his mother influenced him to do wickedly (2 Chronicles 22:3).
He allied himself with his uncle, Joram king of Israel (Ahaziah of Israel’s brother), in a war against Hazael king of Syria. After Joram was wounded, Ahaziah went to visit him at Jezreel. This visit coincided with the LORD’s judgment upon the House of Ahab, carried out by Jehu, whom God had anointed to be king of Israel.
- 2 Kings 9:27 (KJV): “But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.”
The destruction of Ahaziah of Judah was an extension of the judgment against the House of Ahab due to his alignment with their wickedness. He was ultimately carried to Jerusalem and buried in the sepulchre of his fathers in the City of David (2 Kings 9:28).