Sanhedrin 102: Maybe the Wicked Kings Weren't So Bad

An approach to the Golden Calf that blames God for giving the Israelites gold and silver upon their departure from Egypt -- because they suddenly had the means for the wrong-doing, instead of when they were poor. This raises questions, of course, about wealth and leisure, and its desirability. Also, Rabbi Abbahu would lecture on the topic of 3 wicked kings -- even after he gave it up for a time, he came back to it, on the grounds that they hadn't repented yet, after all. Plus, King Menashe's appearance to Abaye in a dream, with his teaching of halakhah (yes, in the dream), and his defense of his own worship of idolatry. Also, Achav -- another wicked king who is treated far more gently than one might expect. For example, the Gemara counts his good deeds as equal to his bad deeds. Even in the story of the revenge of Navot... But wasn't Achav the worst of the worst?