1 Kings 21:4

4 Ahab went home in a black mood, sulking over Naboth the Jezreelite's words, "I'll never turn over my family inheritance to you." He went to bed, stuffed his face in his pillow, and refused to eat.

1 Kings 21:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 21:4

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased
Just in the same humour he was after the prophet had delivered his message to him, ( 1 Kings 20:43 ) , where the same words are used as here:

because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him, for
he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers,
neither by way of exchange nor of purchase: and such a denial he could not bear, since it looked like treating him with contempt, and taxing him with imprudence at least, if not with injustice, or both:

and he laid him down upon his bed;
or couch, which might be not in his bedchamber, but in one of his halls, where his courtiers were:

and turned away his face;
to the wall, not choosing to have conversation with any of his nobles:

and would eat no bread;
the vexation took away his stomach, and he became melancholy, at least sullen.

1 Kings 21:4 In-Context

2 One day Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard so I can use it as a kitchen garden; it's right next to my house - so convenient. In exchange I'll give you a far better vineyard, or if you'd prefer I'll pay you money for it."

3 But Naboth told Ahab, "Not on your life! So help me God, I'd never sell the family farm to you!"

4 Ahab went home in a black mood, sulking over Naboth the Jezreelite's words, "I'll never turn over my family inheritance to you." He went to bed, stuffed his face in his pillow, and refused to eat.

5 Jezebel his wife came to him. She said, "What's going on? Why are you so out of sorts and refusing to eat?"

6 He told her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite. I said, 'Give me your vineyard - I'll pay you for it or, if you'd rather, I'll give you another vineyard in exchange.' And he said, 'I'll never give you my vineyard.'"