Excellent article containing great insights into a complex and powerful Bible character whom even Jesus references in Revelation as an archetypical evil woman.

So you think that somebody deserves the death penalty just because of their religion?
Then why do you condemn Jezebel for (possibly) feeling the same way?
And may I remind you that Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac to God, and Jephtah did sacrifice his daughter to God?
But the Biblical writers portray them as righteous men because of double standards.

But everybody can’t share the same faith.
Besides, even my devout mother is terrified by the violence, that you will see even from the “good guys” in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament.
And we should be able to agree that Jezebel came from a culture that was different than ours, not to mention that she lived almost three millennia ago.
And it’s hardly fair to condemn one side and acquit the other when they do the same things.

So you think that a law that tells you to kill people just because of their religion is just?
But I can’t see why loving god want that.
Also, there seems to be some information missing about how the conflict started.
So it could be that the Israelite prophets attacked Baal’s prophets (maybe because of a law that you seem to support) until Jezebel had to intervene.
Either way, it is clear that the victors indeed are the ones to write history…

Trueman…. tsk tsk…. each person brings experience, interpretation and understanding to a story. May you have compassion for those who are searching and finding purpose in this account. peace!

Thank you Hannah

Well stated. The author does not believe the Bible is “God breathed”. She has not absorbed the Bible with clarity and understanding. I suggest she call upon the Holy Spirit to help her with this.

Some commentators on this article ask us to remember that it is the victors who write history, but I would also remind people that Christians believe that the Bible is inspired, (2 Tim. 3:16-17) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” . It seems then that the Deuteronomist is inspired and determined to write about the matters that matter to God, and Gaines desires us to look at matters that seem plausible and interesting, but ultimately, they are matters that don’t matter to God.

Well said. The author ,Gaines, does not hide her belief that the bible is not inspired by God. She refers to Elijah as “the mythic prophet” Gaines inconsistent in her article stating “Jezebel optimistically believes that she can encourage religious tolerance”. Later Gaines acknowledges Jezebel had God’s prophets murdered. Gaines fails to mention that worshipers of Baal burnt their children alive, 2 Kings 17:16-17. (It wasn’t just worshipers of Molech). The loving Heavenly Father warned His people that they would suffer the death penalty for worshiping false gods. For the 3 reasons stated, the priests of Baal deserved the death penalty, so they weren’t murdered as Gaines says, but justly received the death penalty. The author shows her bias against the truth and against the Bible. Her articles do not warrant one’s time to read them.