First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria.
We have here the beginning of the reign of Ahab, of whom we have more particulars recorded than of any of the kings of Israel. We have here only a general idea given us of him, as the worst of all the kings, that we may expect what the particulars will be. He reigned twenty-two years, long enough to do a great deal of mischief. I.
Commenting on 1 Kings 16:29-34
reared up an altar for Baal--that is, the sun, worshipped under various images. Ahab set up one (Kg2 3:2), probably as the Tyrian Hercules, in the temple in Samaria. No human sacrifices were offered--the fire was kept constantly burning --the priests officiated barefoot. Dancing and kissing the image (Kg1 19:18) were among the principal rites.
1Ki 16:30-32 Whereas the former kings of Israel had only perpetuated the sin of Jeroboam, i.e., the calf-worship. or worship of Jehovah under the image of an ox, which he had introduced, Ahab was not satisfied with this. לכתּו הנקל ויהי, “it came to pass, was it too little?” i.e., because it was too little (cf.
Commenting on 1 Kings 16:30-32