וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ בְּדֶ֤רֶךְ אָבִיו֙ וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְ אִמּ֔וֹ וּבְדֶ֙רֶךְ֙ יָרָבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֔ט אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Il fit le mal aux yeux de l’Éternel, marchant dans la voie de son père et de sa mère, et de Jéroboam, fils de Nebat, qui avait induit Israël au péché.
From David to Destruction
Why, then, is Achazyahu granted a share in Olam HaBa? Melachim I 22:53 states that Achazyahu follows the evil ways of his father and mother. Achazyahu is a classic Tinok SheNishbah, an individual compared to a child captured and raised among non-Jews and thus not held responsible for his sins, due to his upbringing (see Rambam Hilchot Mamrim 3:3). In this world, however, Hashem throws the proverbial book at Achazyahu for the terrible example he sets for his subjects. He is removed immediately without leaving progeny. Achav is denied a share in Olam HaBa since he is an innovator in evil, as Rashi notes to Melachim I 21:25. He introduces outright Avodah Zarah into the Northern Kingdom and tries to break the social expectations of justice during the Navot affair (see Radak to Melachim I 21:10). Achav is not in any sense a Tinok SheNishbah. He is a pioneer in evil in both spiritual and social matters. Moreover, he remains entrenched in evil even after Hashem grants him the gift of extra time to repent (see Melachim I 21:29). A person who lives such a life deserves no extension of mercy in the next world.