AHAZIAH, the son and successor of Ahab, king of Israel, reigned two years in conjunction with his father. Ahaziah imitated Ahab's impieties (1 Kings xxii. 52, seq.), and paid his adoration to Baal and Astarte, the worship of whom had been introduced into Israel by Jezebel, his mother. The Moabites, who had been always obedient to the kings of the ten tribes ever since their separation from the kingdom of Judah, revolted after the death of Ahab, and refused to pay the ordinary tribute. Ahaziah, however, had not leisure or power to reduce them. By an accidental fall, about this time, from a lattice of his palace, he received such
Ahaziah injury as to put his life in danger. He despatched messengers to Ekron to inquire of the god Baalzebub whether or not he should recover. A more faithful oracle came to him in the person of the prophet Elijah, who forewarned him of his speedy death. This took place A.M. 3108, and Jehoram his brother succeeded to the throne. (2 Kings i.)