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The dogs would "eat Jezebel at the wall of Jezreel," while a similar fate would
overtake all the posterity of Ahab in the city (viz., of Samaria) or in the field. These
must be regarded as personal judgments denounced on personal sins. This is also
indicated by the intercalated remarks of the writer of the narrative (in verses 25,
26).^65 But the actual punishment might be averted or modified by personal
repentance, although not as regarded that pronounced on the national guilt in which
the rule of Ahab had involved Israel.
If evidence of the truth of this narrative - and, as connected with it, of this whole
history - were required, what is told in
conclusion would furnish it. For a legendary story would not have represented Ahab
as repenting and yet not renouncing his former courses. But this also is true to life.
As formerly what he witnessed on Carmel, so now the words of Elijah went straight
to Ahab's heart. He no longer disguised the truth from himself, nor sought to divert
his mind by thoughts of personal animosity on the part of the prophet. It was against
Jehovah that he had sinned, and before Jehovah he humbled himself. As a mourner
he rent his clothes; as a penitent he wore sackcloth; as guilty he fasted; and as one
staggering under a heavy load of grief and sin, he walked softly.^66
And all this publicly - in the sight of all men. It was fitting, if we may venture on the
expression, and in accordance with God's previous declaration of judgment, that the
living God Who had seen and avenged the crime done in secret should also
acknowledge the repentance shown in public. Accordingly the word of Jehovah came
once more to Elijah to declare that the personal repentance of the personal sin had
brought remission of the personal punishment, though not of that denounced on the
dynasty. The visible judgment, by which all were to perceive the retribution of God's
justice, was delayed to the time of his son, and would have been delayed still further
had he shown like repentance. But only delayed - for retribution must follow such
open sin. And so the remembrance of it was kept up; and even this, in merciful
warning to Ahab's son. But when the dogs licked up the blood of Ahab, as they
washed the chariot stained with his gore, they recalled the yet unfulfilled judgment
that hung like a dark cloud over the house of Ahab (1 Kings 22:38). But this was in
Samaria, not in Jezreel, nor in the portion of Naboth, for, as the prophet had foretold,
God brought not "the evil" itself, only its warning remembrance, in the days of Ahab.
But on Jezebel would it descend with the terrible reality of a literal fulfillment.^67
(^)