Under Joshua, Israel destroyed the altars and shrines of the Canaanites, but Ahab is building them again. He marries Jezebel, a Sidonian princess. Tyre and Sidon are the twin cities of Phoenicia, and the man Sidon is the firstborn son of Canaan (Gen. 10:15). Jezebel is thoroughly Canaanite, and Ahab is jumping into bed with her. During Ahab’s reign, Hiel rebuilds Jericho, as if he’s trying to turn back the conquest. Trying to reverse the conquest is foolish. Ahab and his kingdom are in the land only because of Joshua’s conquest. When Ahab permits the conquest to be reversed, he’s giving up his
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