Not only did Ahab introduce Baal worship at the capital city, but under the leadership of Jezebel he erected heathen altars in many "high places," where in the shelter of surrounding groves the priests and others connected with this seductive form of idolatry exerted their baleful influence, until well-nigh all Israel were following after Baal. "There was none like unto Ahab," who "did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord 115 cast out before the children of Israel." 1 Kings 21:25, 26.

Akab indførte ikke blot baalsdyrkelsen i hovedstaden, men på Jesabels tilskyndelse byggede han også hedenske altre på mange høje. Her drev præsterne og andre, som var knyttet til denne forføreriske form for af gudsdyrkelse, deres nedrige virksomhed i ly af omliggende lunde. Til sidst dyrkede næsten hele Israel Baal. "Aldrig har der været nogen, der som Akab solgte sig selv til at gøre, hvad der var ondt i Herrens øjne, fordi hans hustru Jesabel forledte ham dertil; han handlede såre vederstyggeligt, idet han holdt sig til afgudsbillederne ganske som amoritterne, dem, Herren drev bort foran israelitterne." 1Kong. 21,25-26.