Hiel executed Ahab’s plan to rebuild Jericho, a city that was supposed to remain in ruins (Joshua 6:17). This action is part and parcel of Ahab’s misdeeds that greatly provoked the Lord to anger.
The building project from start to finish was marked by tragedy. But according to the Lord’s curse, disobedience to his revelation came at a cost; the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
34 In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.