Very rarely do we find direct references to characters who appear in the bible in extra biblical material. However, some very prominent characters do have a reference in the inscriptions of the Assyrian and Babylonian kingdoms. These references are usually in relation to war or taxes. The Assyrians specifically mention one great king of Israel, Ahab, son of Omri, who belonged to one of the longer reigning families (however, very short in comparison) of the North.