Read the Passage: 1 Kings 21

Property of Naboth (21:1–5)

The setting of this chapter is the vineyard of a man named Naboth, which was located near Ahab’s palace in the city of Jezreel. Given that Naboth only appears in this chapter, as well as in a later review of this chapter in 2 Kings 9, it seems that Naboth and his vineyard are actually tangential to the larger storyline in this book. Indeed, it is likely that this narrative is included here to reinforce the earlier teachings about Ahab’s wickedness (cf. 1 Kings 16:30; 20:42), and to demonstrate the reasons for the grim predictions about Ahab’s future (cf. 1 Kings 21:19, 21–22, 25–26). Recall that Ahab had been rebuked for allowing Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, to live. The text hinted that Ahab had released Ben-Hadad primarily for financial reasons. God sent an unnamed prophet to confront Ahab about his sin, thus he “went to his house sullen and displeased” (1 Kings 20:43).

Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard on account of its proximity to his palace. Therefore, Ahab offered to purchase the land from Naboth, or to exchange it for a better vineyard. However, Naboth’s response was, “The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you” (1 Kings 21:3). This refusal is not necessarily a commentary about Naboth’s opinion of Ahab; rather, it is a reflection of Naboth’s knowledge of God’s civil law, which forbid the permanent selling of most family land or the exchange of property between tribes (cf. Lev. 25:23–28; Num. 36:7–9). Next, given Ahab’s earlier behavior, which was both immature and childish (cf. 1 Kings 20:43), it is not surprising that when he did not get his own way, “Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased . . . and he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food” (1 Kings 21:4).

Treachery of Jezebel (21:6–16)

When Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, saw him pouting, she asked him the reason for his sullen mood. Observe that earlier in this book we learned that Jezebel was a foreigner (cf. 1 Kings 18:4), that she had massacred God’s prophets (cf. 1 Kings 18:4), that she supported many false prophets of Baal (cf. 1 Kings 18:19), and that she wanted to kill Elijah (cf. 1 Kings 19:2). Yet, 1 Kings 21:5 is the first time that Jezebel actually appears in the text. In this passage Jezebel can’t believe that her husband is sulking rather than exercising his kingly authority. Jezebel then assures Ahab that she will obtain the vineyard for him. Jezebel’s cunning plan was to have several of the leaders in Naboth’s city organize a gathering at which time certain scoundrels would accuse Naboth of blasphemy. Naboth would then be executed, which would allow Ahab to seize Naboth’s unoccupied land.

1 Kings 21:11–16 details the operation of Jezebel’s devious scheme. As Jezebel had told them to do, so the elders and nobles of Naboth’s city called for a fast, which would have culminated with a great feast. At this gathering two scoundrels falsely accused Naboth of blasphemy. While the text does not explicitly say why these scoundrels made their false charge, it is likely that Jezebel either had bribed them or had some form of leverage over them. The reason for the two accusers is that the Mosaic law required the presence of two witnesses, especially in regard to capital offenses (cf. Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6). Observe that the dishonest leaders must have understood that they were acting immorally, for they willingly accepted false testimony from two unreliable witnesses (cf. Prov. 14:5; 29:19), and they quickly informed Jezebel about Naboth’s death after the fact (cf. 1 Kings 21:14).

Condemnation of Ahab (21:17–29)

When Ahab was informed of Naboth’s death, he went to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard. As Ahab was touring the vineyard, he was confronted by Elijah, who accused him of murder and theft. Furthermore, Elijah informed Ahab: that he would die a bloody death (cf. 1 Kings 21:19), that his life would be full of calamity (cf. 1 Kings 21:21), that all of his descendants would be killed (cf. 1 Kings 21:22), and that his wife would be eaten by dogs (cf. 1 Kings 21:23). Next, the author reiterates Ahab’s evil nature, writing, “But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up” (1 Kings 21:25). The last three verses in this chapter, then, are unexpected. Here we read that when Elijah delivered his message of judgment from God, Ahab humbled himself before the Lord (cf. 1 Kings 21:27–29).

Application Questions:

1. Is Naboth’s reply to Ahab a proper response? What biblical principles can help guide believers as they interact with the State?
2. If money and power don’t have the ability to bring happiness, why are they such persistent idols among mankind?
3. What steps can believers take to protect themselves from people with devious character like Jezebel?
4. How should Christians react when falsely accused? When is it appropriate for believers to accuse others?
5. Do you believe that Ahab’s repentance was legitimate? Is it ever too late to repent of our sins?