Who was Rib-Addi, King Ahab of Israel or King Nikmed of Ras Shamra?
I. Velikovsky had identified Rib Addi with Ahab, D. Mackey with Nikmed of Gubla/Ras Shamra. “Hostility against Sumur has become very great” is repeated in several EA letters. The time for trouble was ideal. The land of Israel endured drought (1.Kings 17:1-7; 18:1-2), national feelings were dwindling among the Ten Tribes. The worship of pagan idols laid the northern kingdom open to the spiritual influences of the surrounding nations. Religious ties between Samaria, Sidon, and Damascus melted away the borders of this land. Other cities to the north, like Ras Shamra/Ugarit flourished at this same time. Even the prophets, Elijah and Elisha, intervened in the state of affairs of Damascus, visited Damascus, anointed their kings and were visited by people from Damascus. In this state of spiritual and material decline Samaria became a pawn to the shrewd warrior and politician of Damascus. The Syrian king knew that the pharaoh would not like to see him make friends with the war-minded Assyrians
