An Asherah refers to an idol in the form of the goddess named Asherah. See the comments on 1 Kgs 11.5 and 14.15.

To provoke … to anger: See the comments on this same phrase in 1 Kgs 14.9.

Ahab was worse than all the kings of Israel who were before him. This repeats the condemnation expressed in verse 30. For the writer of 1–2 Kings, the rulers of the northern kingdom became increasingly evil.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .