1 Kings 15-18
On Choosing a Mate

Chapters 15 and 16 of 1 Kings tell in rapid succession of one king after another ruling over the breakaway nation of Israel. Beginning with their founder, Jeroboam, they are all wicked and unfaithful to the LORD. Chapter 17 ends with the appointment of a king we read of until the end of the book—Ahab. Like his forefathers, he is an evil and selfish man. Repeatedly, God gave him opportunities to repent, but he would not take them.

One of the reasons he struggled spiritually is certainly seen as he is introduced in chapter 17, "And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him" (16:31-33).

Verses 30 and 31 are very telling of the influence of a spouse. Ahab was already a scoundrel, but verse 31 one tells us if that weren't bad enough, he then married Jezebel! Who was Jezebel? She was the gentile daughter of a pagan king named Ethbaal, which meant "With him is Baal." It is believed he also served as a priest of the temple of Astarte, and that he conspired against his king, killed him and seized the throne (which would not have been very unlike the ancestors of Ahab). Even Jezebel's name meant "Baal exalts," or "Baal is husband to." She was not only a pagan, but everything about her was tied to paganism. It is no wonder, then, that she soon influenced him building altars and a temple to Baal.

One of the things this emphasizes among many is the great need to be careful in the choice of a spouse for life. The text seems to suggest that Ahab may have had some kind of chance despite his sins, but because of his marriage to this heathen woman, all hope was unfortunately lost. Christians seeking a spouse need to exercise great care in who they marry—your decision will follow you through life and likely through eternity. A good spouse will strengthen you when you are weak, give you wisdom when you are prone to foolishness, give you warmth when you are cold, resolve when you are uncertain and encouragement when you are on the right path already. However, a poor choice will only weaken you when you are already weak, leave you alone when you are cold, hesitant when you are already uncertain, and discouraged when you are struggling to even find the right path. That is why it is always best to always choose a Christian for a life-long mate. Not just a Christian in name only, but one who is obviously and seriously trying to serve the LORD.

While I cannot say it is a sin for a Christian to marry a non-Christian (some Christians I admire have handled it well), it is certainly fraught with dangers, and many cannot navigate those waters safely, falling away as the years go on. Child of God, give a lot of careful thought in choosing a marriage partner.