John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:34
And in his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho ,.... Which was forbidden by Joshua under an anathema; but this man, either ignorant of that adjuration of Joshua, or in contempt and defiance of it, and knowing it might please the king and queen, set about the rebuilding of it; and it being done by the leave and under the authority of Ahab, is mentioned together with his wicked actions: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn : that is, his firstborn died as soon as he... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 16:29-34
We have here the beginning of the reign of Ahab, of whom we have more particulars recorded than of any of the kings of Israel. We have here only a general idea given us of him, as the worst of all the kings, that we may expect what the particulars will be. He reigned twenty-two years, long enough to do a great deal of mischief. I. He exceeded all his predecessors in wickedness, did evil above all that were before him (1 Kgs. 16:30), and, as if it were done with a particular enmity both to God... read more