Early evening at Jezreel: a terraced vineyard of low green vines held by dry-stone walls, a small round fieldstone watch hut, and right beside it the plain, high dressed-stone wall of the king's residence; the broad green valley falls away beyond, under a calm, clear evening sky.

The Book of

1 Kings 21

A king who has everything wants one more thing: a neighbor’s vineyard that is not for sale.

29 verses≈ 6 min4 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2Solomon's throneThe kingdom made secure
3–4WisdomA discerning heart
5–8The templeA house for the LORD's Name
9–11Glory and fallSolomon's heart turns
12–16Two kingdomsThe kingdom torn
17–19ElijahThe LORD, He is God
20–22AhabNaboth and MicaiahChapter 21

Naboth’s Vineyard

Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

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So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”

1 Kings 21:3

A lamplit room in the royal residence at Jezreel: King Ahab lies on a low wooden couch-bed turned toward the plastered wall, one arm over his head, a tray of bread, fruit and a cup untouched beside him, while a servant hesitates in the doorway.

So Ahab went to his palace, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had told him, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat.

Jezebel

Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked, “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat?”

Ahab

Ahab answered, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’”

Jezebel

But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

Question

Quick question

Ahab offered Naboth a fair-sounding deal, and Naboth said no.

Why would Naboth not give Ahab his vineyard?

Jezebel’s Plot

Close view by lamplight on a cedar table: a woman's hand with gold rings and a purple sleeve presses a carved stone seal into a small lump of clay on the cord of a folded papyrus letter, other folded letters ready beside a reed pen and an ink palette.

Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city.

In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people.

But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.

Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.”

When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, who refused to give it to you for silver. For Naboth is no longer alive, but dead.”

And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

One vineyard, four commandments

Whiteboard

Ahab wanted his neighbor’s vineyard “since it is next to my palace.” When Naboth refused, Jezebel’s letters set “two scoundrels” to lie about him; Naboth was put to death; and Ahab “went down to take possession of the vineyard.” In one story the last commandments fall one after another: coveting, false witness, murder, theft. It all began with a king who wanted what was not his.

Elijah Denounces Ahab and Jezebel

Late afternoon in the vineyard below the royal wall at Jezreel: King Ahab stands among the low vines with servants holding a measuring cord, and on the terrace path above, Elijah in a rough dark hair cloak strides down toward him; Ahab has just turned and seen him.

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Get up and go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria. See, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession of it.

Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’

Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”

Ahab

When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.”

Elijah

He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.

This is what the LORD says:

‘I will bring calamity on you

and consume your descendants;

I will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel,

both slave and free.

I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat

and like that of Baasha son of Ahijah,

because you have provoked My anger

and caused Israel to sin.’

And the LORD also speaks concerning Jezebel:

‘The dogs will devour Jezebel

by the wall of Jezreel.’

Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city

will be eaten by dogs,

and anyone who dies in the field

will be eaten by the birds of the air.”

Reflect

Wanting what is not ours

Ahab had a palace and a kingdom, and one refusal sent him to bed sulking. His wanting ended in lies, a death and a stolen field, and God asked him, “Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?” What do you want that is not yours to take? Write down what it would look like to give that desire to God before it grows.

Ahab’s Repentance

(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel. He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.)

When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.

Gray dawn in a stone courtyard of the royal residence: King Ahab, his fine robe torn and a coarse dark sackcloth garment over him, head bowed, walks slowly and quietly along the wall while servants stand back watching.

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity during his days, but I will bring it upon his house in the days of his son.”

0:15

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Pray

He has humbled himself

Ask God for honest eyes to see your own sin as He names it, and to turn to Him quickly and humbly. Thank Him that He sees, as He asked Elijah, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me?” And pray for courage like Naboth’s, to hold on to what God has given when the powerful want it.

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1 Kings 21

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A verse to carry with you

The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.

1 Kings 21:3

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