And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
Reared up an altar for Baal - i:e., the sun, worshipped under various images. Ahab set up one (2 Kings 3:2), probably as the Tyrian Hercules, in the temple in Samaria. No human sacrifices were offered; the fire was kept constantly burning; the priests officiated barefoot; dancing and kissing the image (1 Kings 19:18) were among the principal rites.