1 Kings 21:3

3 But Navot said to Ach'av, "ADONAI forbid that I should give you my ancestral heritage!"

1 Kings 21:3 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 21:3

And Naboth said to Ahab, the Lord forbid it me that I should
give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
] The inheritances of families were not to be alienated to another family, or tribe, nor even to be sold, unless in extreme poverty, and then to return at the year of jubilee, ( Leviticus 25:23 Leviticus 25:28 ) . Now Naboth was a man in good circumstances, and under no necessity of selling his vineyard; and, if he sold it, he might reasonably conclude, it becoming a part of the royal demesnes, would never revert to his family; and therefore, both out of regard to the law of God, and the good of his family, would not part with it at any rate: this shows that he was a conscientious man, and therefore is thought to be one of those that would not bow his knee to Baal, and against whom Ahab had a grudge, and sought an opportunity against him.

1 Kings 21:3 In-Context

1 A while later, an incident occurred involving Navot the Yizre'eli. He owned a vineyard in Yizre'el, right next to the palace of Ach'av king of Shomron.

2 Ach'av spoke to Navot and said, "Give me your vineyard, so that I can have it as my vegetable garden, because it's close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard; or, if you prefer, I will give you its monetary value."

3 But Navot said to Ach'av, "ADONAI forbid that I should give you my ancestral heritage!"

4 Ach'av went home resentful and depressed at what Navot the Yizre'eli had said to him, since he had said, "I won't give you my ancestral heritage." He lay down on his bed, turned his face away and refused to eat.

5 Izevel his wife went and said to him, "Why are you so depressed that you refuse to eat?"