וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ בְּדֶ֤רֶךְ אָבִיו֙ וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְ אִמּ֔וֹ וּבְדֶ֙רֶךְ֙ יָרָבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֔ט אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
E fece ciò che è male agli occhi del Signore e camminò nella via di suo padre, nella via di sua madre e nella via di Geroboamo, figlio di Nebat, che fece peccare Israele.
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.