Hiel from Bethel was a man who rebuilt Jericho during the reign of King Ahab. By doing so, he fulfilled Joshua's curse, and it cost the lives of his eldest son Abiram and his youngest son Segub. His fate serves as a warning about the consequences of defying God's word.
When Joshua conquered and destroyed Jericho, he pronounced a curse on anyone who would rebuild the city: they would lose their firstborn at its foundation and their youngest at the setting up of its gates.
26At that time Joshua pronounced this oath: "Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundation; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates."
Hiel from Bethel rebuilt Jericho during the reign of King Ahab, in defiance of Joshua's curse. This occurred in a time marked by apostasy and disobedience to God in Israel.
34In his days Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn and set up its gates at the cost of Segub his youngest, according to the word the LORD had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.[^1]
[^1]: See Joshua 6:26, where Joshua pronounced this curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho.
34In his days Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn and set up its gates at the cost of Segub his youngest, according to the word the LORD had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.[^1]
[^1]: See Joshua 6:26, where Joshua pronounced this curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho.
34In his days Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn and set up its gates at the cost of Segub his youngest, according to the word the LORD had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.[^1]
[^1]: See Joshua 6:26, where Joshua pronounced this curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho.
Hiel's fate is set against the backdrop of Ahab's wickedness and apostasy, illustrating how God's word always comes to pass, even after many generations. Ahab's reign was marked by idolatry and contempt for the Lord's word.
31As if it were a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he took as his wife Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he went and served Baal and worshiped him.
34In his days Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn and set up its gates at the cost of Segub his youngest, according to the word the LORD had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.[^1]
[^1]: See Joshua 6:26, where Joshua pronounced this curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho.