As a small child, little Jezebel discovered that a wonderful power resided in her eyes. By only glancing at someone, she found that she could fill him with fear. Her gift, she knew, came from the Baalim, the amazing priests of Baal and their idols, incantations and spells. Even before learning to read, Jezebel had absorbed so much nuance and skill from those men that her father, Ethbaal, King of Tyre, had reluctantly succumbed to her power.
What amazing fun.
Jezebel grew to womanhood improving her skills and doing as she pleased until, one day, she learned that her father had arranged her marriage to the king of Israel. “Your mother, the queen, and I,” he said, “think it best that you leave here now.”
Knowing better than to confront two kings directly, Jezebel agreed (provided she could bring hundreds of her favorite priests from Tyre to Israel). Ahab, of course, refused until, on his next visit to Tyre, he looked into her eyes and lost his will.
*
Jezebel’s reign as Israel’s queen had been unpleasant. Jews, she found, were more stubborn than all other humans, difficult to sway and impossible to control. While some Israelites did indeed embrace her gods, an entire class of men, their so-called prophets, opposed Jezebel in all she tried to do. None of these was more hostile than the one they called Elijah, a vile man who had brought drought upon the land then run like a coward so not to be put to death.
On the afternoon of the day Ahab had met with Elijah, Jezebel was furious with the king but determined not to show it. “Please tell me where you have been, sir,” she said, “and what you’ve been arranging.”
“Lady,” Ahab said, “need you know each little thing I do?”
Jezebel had dressed to intimidate; black gown, white collar, amethysts binding her cuffs. Her attendants had bathed her in milk and cloves, oiled her body then pinned her hair to allow its long back coils to artfully frame her face. “Little thing?” she asked. “You will do well, husband, not to speak falsely to me. It was no little thing you undertook today.”
“If you wish to know something, woman, ask,” Ahab said. “I’ve no time to play at words. My steward, Obadiah, is due here to discuss an important matter.”
“And do you intend to keep this matter from me, sir?” Jezebel asked.
“Join us, if you like, but be patient and keep still.”
Ahab’s answer angered Jezebel but she responded calmly, “I will attend, O king, but I promise you nothing.”
*
As Obadiah walked in to meet with Ahab and the queen, Jezebel snapped her fingers and said, “Look at me, Obadiah, and reveal the mind of the king.”
“I am looking at you, O queen,” Obadiah said, though he had focused on one of her shoulders. “But I must ask, respectfully, is not the king sitting here beside you so that you might ask him yourself?”
“Obadiah is not looking at me, Ahab,” Jezebel said. “He never looks directly at me. I demand that you remove him from my house.”
“I’ve filled this place with northern art though I cannot stand it,” Ahab said. “I feed hundreds of your priests, each of whom eats like a field hand yet adds nothing to my court. I’ve raised poles in the groves according to your pleasure. I’ve erected countless monuments to Baal. Will you not now cede to me the simple utility of this, the man who served my father and now faithfully serves me?”
“You refuse to look into my eyes as well.”
“Nonsense,” Ahab came back, peering out a window at the sky. “Explain what troubles you, woman. We will do our best to put your mind at ease.”
“Very well,” Jezebel said, “the next time you see Elijah kill him, Ahab, do not chat.”
Ahab opened his mouth to speak but Jezebel cut him off. “Embarrass yourself no further,” she said. “You spoke to Elijah this morning, do not deny it, at the bottom of my hill.”
Ahab raised his brows. “You are well aware, lady,” he said, “that the hill upon which this palace stands is not yours. Mind that neither it, nor this house upon it which I have built for you to live in, witch of Tyre, will ever belong to you.”
Jezebel lowered her eyes. She had miscalculated. “I misspoke,” she said softly. “This is indeed your property, sir. Yet you have not denied my claim.”
“You are correct,” Ahab said. “This morning, to my face, Elijah challenged your priests, promising that if they would confront him he would withdraw the curse upon the land and, through the power of the God of Israel, bring rain.”
“My holy men fear no one,” Jezebel said, “certainly not Elijah’s vaporous god.”
Ahab explained the details of the challenge then forbid Jezebel to accompany him to Carmel. When it was clear that she could not change Ahab’s mind, Jezebel left the room.
“How did the queen learn about your meeting, Sire?” Jezebel heard Obadiah ask when she stopped in the hall beside the open door. She smiled from her hiding place. Neither the king nor his steward had any inkling of her skills. Only one man in Israel was aware yet dared to challenge her. Now Elijah had set himself a hopeless trap. Her priests would best him on the mountain then take his miserable life.
Jezebel knew it would be so in the marrow of her bones.