The Voice of a Wife, the Ear of a Husband: Part 3
- Zaressa Richardson
- Mar 16
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 22
The Manipulation
Scripture: 1 Kings 21:25
“There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.”
The Voice of Jezebel.
The Ear of Ahab.
Welcome back, friend.
We’ve been walking through powerful moments in Scripture where the voice of a wife carried real influence, for better or for worse. And whether you’re a wife, a fiancé, or in a season of waiting, there is something in this series for you.
Because influence doesn’t start with a title. It starts with a voice.
Let’s do a quick recap:
Week One we looked at Sarai, whose voice was shaped by discouragement. She tried to help God out and in doing so, caused a delay that would affect generations.
Week Two we examined Job’s wife, who spoke from deep emotional pain. We also listened in on Job’s friends, who gave opinions instead of revelation. All of them had something to say but none of it aligned with the heart of God.
This week, the atmosphere shifts.
We are not dealing with a discouraged voice or an emotional one. We are dealing with a controlling voice.
A voice that gives birth to manipulation.
We meet Jezebel. A woman who didn’t just speak to her husband. She acted on his behalf, pushed past his silence, and took control.
Before we go further, let’s pause and invite God into this space:
Lord, open our eyes to see and our ears to hear what You want to reveal in this moment. Remove every distraction. Quiet the noise around us and within us. We invite You into this space. Let Your Word speak loudest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prefer to listen instead?
🎧 You can catch this week’s message on the podcast. Every Tuesday @ 6am.
The Voice of Jezebel: Control Disguised as Help
In 1 Kings 16, we’re introduced to Ahab, who had just become king of Israel after his father, Omri.
And from the moment we meet him, Scripture makes one thing very clear:
“Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.”
1 Kings 16:30
He wasn’t just another flawed king. He set new records for wickedness.
And it gets worse:
“He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel... and began to serve Baal and worship him.” 1 Kings 16:31
Then later, we see this sobering statement:
“There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.” 1 Kings 21:25
Let’s sit with that.
He didn’t just wake up one day and become evil. He sold himself to it. That means there was effort. Intention. A decision.
And Scripture tells us who influenced that decision:
“…urged on by Jezebel his wife.” 1 Kings 21:25
Jezebel wasn’t passive. She wasn’t quiet or uncertain. She was strategic. She knew how to use her voice and her husband’s authority to get what she wanted.
And because Ahab gave her access, a spirit of manipulation was given authority in the kingdom.
Let’s make this plain.
In 1 Kings 21, Ahab wanted a vineyard that belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite. When Naboth refused to sell it, Ahab pouted!
And Jezebel? She stepped in and made her intentions clear.
“Get up and eat. Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
1 Kings 21:7
She told him exactly what she was going to do. And Ahab didn’t stop her.
Nowhere in Scripture do we see him say, “No, don’t do that.” There was no correction. No confrontation.
His silence was agreement.
He heard it with his ears, but he did not rebuke it with his mouth.
Reflection
Let’s think about this:
Imagine telling that one person you know the one who always has your back that someone did something to you. And without even asking, you already know they’re going to handle it. Because that’s their character.
Now imagine they go too far. They lie. They manipulate. They sin. They cause destruction.
Would you still carry some responsibility?
Even if you never told them to go that far?
Even if all you did was stay silent?
Silence does not equal innocence. When you hear what’s wrong and refuse to correct it even gently you are participating.
Now please hear what I’m not saying: I’m not saying you need to become a Pharisee walking around pointing out every flaw or acting like the Word police.
That’s not wisdom. That’s pride.
But I am saying this:
Be vigilant and alert about what you come into agreement with. Because agreement gives access.
And the Holy Spirit He really is a Helper. He will lead you into all truth. He will check you when it’s time to speak, and He will guide you when it’s time to be silent.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13
So pause. Pray. Ask the Lord before you respond before you attach your voice, your silence, or your influence to anything.
Because when you have influence and refuse to speak, you allow the enemy to move unchecked.
And that is exactly what Ahab did.
Ahab’s Ear:
Passive Leadership
As I studied more about Ahab, I came across something that made me pause.
His father, Omri, was also a wicked man.
“But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him.”
1 Kings 16:25
Ahab was raised in a lineage of rebellion. His father established a dynasty built on idolatry and political power, not obedience to God. And Ahab didn’t just inherit that legacy he took it further.
Once he married Jezebel and introduced Baal worship into Israel, the kingdom shifted from bad to worse.
Can we agree on this?
Ahab did not have a great role model for a father.
At first, I found myself trying to give Ahab grace.
I thought, Lord, maybe he didn’t know better. Maybe this is all he saw growing up.
But then I kept reading. And the Word of God made it clear Ahab knew right from wrong.
Just like us, he had moments where truth was offered. God gave him multiple opportunities to respond.
He Heard God’s Word Multiple Times
Throughout Ahab’s reign, God spoke directly to him through prophets. God didn’t leave Ahab in the dark.
1 Kings 17–18:
God sends Elijah to declare a drought, then later confronts Ahab on Mount Carmel. Ahab watches fire fall from heaven. He witnesses, firsthand, the power of the true and living God.
1 Kings 20:
Even during war, God sends a prophet to help Ahab defeat Ben-Hadad, king of Syria.
“Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the Lord.”
1 Kings 20:13
God was still reaching for Ahab, still giving him a chance to know Him and respond.
1 Kings 21: After the murder of Naboth, God sends Elijah again. And this time, Ahab responds with repentance.
“When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted... Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me?’” 1 Kings 21:27–29
Ahab humbled himself. He knew he was guilty. He feared the judgment of the Lord.
So, let’s be clear Ahab was not ignorant. He knew who God was. He heard the truth. He just didn’t hold on to it.
And that’s where everything began to unravel.
He Ignored God’s Voice and Opened the Door
One of the clearest moments in Ahab’s story happens in 1 Kings 22.
Before going into battle, he hears a direct word from the prophet Micaiah, who speaks what the Lord says.
But Ahab responds with pride and resistance:
“I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad.” 1 Kings 22:8
Instead of repenting again, Ahab chooses to ignore the warning, disguises himself, and tries to escape the judgment. But it doesn’t work. He is killed in battle, exactly as God said he would be.
This is the danger of a hardened ear.
“Faith comes by hearing...”
(Romans 10:17) And just like faith comes by hearing so does deception.
It matters who and what you give your ear to.
Ahab gave his ear to Jezebel, to idols, and to his own desires. He listened to every voice except God’s. And in doing so, he surrendered his authority and opened the door to destruction.
Friend, guard your ear. It is not just a body part it is a spiritual gate. What you allow in will eventually shape what comes out.
Because this story is not just about a woman named Jezebel. It’s about a spirit of manipulation and control, and what happens when we let it speak louder than God.
In Revelation 2:20, Jesus rebukes the church at Thyatira:
“You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants...”
So the influence of Jezebel didn’t die with her.It’s still present any time someone uses their position, charm, gifting, or emotional pull to manipulate others and override truth.
The spirit of Jezebel is:
Controlling
Deceptive
And it works best when partnered with passivity just like we see in Ahab.
Call to Action:
Wake Up and Guard Your Ear
Let’s take inventory.
What voices are influencing you right now?
Who is shaping your decisions even in silence?
Are those voices rooted in the fear of the Lord, or are they pushing you to get your way at any cost?
Are they calling you to righteous leadership or whispering, “It’s not that deep, just let it go”?
This isn’t just for wives. It’s for every one of us with a voice and influence.
Ask yourself:
Is my voice building others up in truth or bending them toward my own desires? Because we don’t get to manipulate outcomes in the name of love. If your voice leads someone outside of God’s will, it’s not counsel it’s control.
God has called us to lead, to speak truth, and to represent His kingdom with integrity.
So do not hand over your authority just to keep the peace. Do not trade conviction for comfort.
Do not stay silent when truth is being twisted.
Because when you surrender your ear, you surrender your direction.
Guard it well.
The voice you follow will shape the road you walk.
Let’s Pray
Abba Father, holy is Your name.
Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your Word. Father, I surrender my will in this moment. Have Your way. I give You full access to my ears. Shape them to be in tune with Your voice and Your instructions in all things.
Silence the voice of the accuser by the power of the blood of Jesus. Expose every voice I’ve allowed to override Yours. Help me recognize manipulation in every form, especially when it comes through people I trust.
Forgive me for the times I stayed silent when I should have stood for truth. I want to honor You with my voice, my choices, and my influence. Help me to clearly discern what is from You and what is not.
Give me the boldness to shut the door to anything that leads me away from Your will. Let my life, my ear, and my agreement be aligned with heaven.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Coming Up Next Week
Week 4: The Voice of God. The Ear of Marriage.Holy Covenant
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