Jezebel

Jezebel was a princess of Sidon, daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians. Her marriage to King Ahab of Israel was a political alliance, but she brought her Baal worship with her and promoted it aggressively. She maintained 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah at her table while systematically killing the prophets of the Lord.

Her influence over Ahab was complete. When he sulked over Naboth's refusal to sell his vineyard, Jezebel orchestrated a judicial murder: she arranged false witnesses to accuse Naboth of blasphemy, had him stoned, and gave the vineyard to Ahab. Elijah pronounced judgment: dogs would eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

When Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Jezebel threatened his life with such ferocity that even this bold prophet fled in terror. Her power continued through her daughter Athaliah, who later nearly destroyed the Davidic line in Judah.

Jezebel's end came when Jehu, anointed to destroy Ahab's house, approached Jezreel. She painted her eyes and adorned her head, confronting Jehu from a window with defiant mockery. At Jehu's command, her own eunuchs threw her down. Her blood splattered the wall, horses trampled her, and when they went to bury her, they found only skull, feet, and palms—fulfilling Elijah's prophecy that dogs would eat her flesh.