1 Kings 21

CHAPTER 21

Naboth’s Vineyard (21:1–29)

1–4 Ahab king of Samaria (Israel) had a second royal residence in the town of Jezreel (1 Kings 18:45), and next to this residence was a vineyard that Ahab coveted. But when Ahab asked to purchase it, the owner Naboth refused to sell or trade it on the grounds that the vineyard was his family’s inheritance and thus should not be transferred permanently outside the family (see Leviticus 25:23–28). Israelite kings did not have the authority under the law to do whatever they pleased; they themselves were required to abide by the law¹¹⁴ (see Deuteronomy 17:18–20). So Ahab, disappointed and angry, simply returned to his palace and refused to eat. Such is the fate of the covetous; like Ahab, they may have wealth and power and pleasures in abundance, but if they cannot have “Naboth’s vineyard" also, they remain unhappy.

5–16 Ahab’s wife Jezebel decided to “remedy” the situation. She arranged to have Naboth falsely accused of cursing God and the king (Exodus 22:28). Such cursing and blaspheming of God was punishable by death (Leviticus 24:15–16). The death sentence could only be carried out on the testimony of two or more witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6), so Jezebel arranged for two scoundrels to accuse Naboth¹¹⁵ (verse 10).

Her plan was carried out (verses 11–13). Not only was Naboth killed, but his sons were killed also (2 Kings 9:25–26); thus no heirs remained to claim the land. When Ahab was told Naboth was dead, he went and took possession of the vineyard (verse 16).

17–26 God then sent Elijah to speak with Ahab; although Jezebel had been the instigator of the crime, Ahab was also guilty because he had looked the other way and asked no questions.

The Lord, through Elijah, told Ahab that just as the dogs had licked up Naboth’s blood, so they would lick up his blood also (see 1 Kings 22:37–38). As for Jezebel, the dogs would not only lick up her blood but they would also devour her corpse (see 2 Kings 9:30–37).

The Lord’s word spoken through Elijah continued. The Lord said He would bring disaster on Ahab’s house (verse 21), just as He had brought disaster on the houses of Jeroboam and Baasha (1 Kings 4:10–11; 16:3–4). In verse 25, the writer informs us that Ahab was Israel’s most evil king; but even more evil was his wife Jezebel, who urged him on. Ahab’s primary sin was that he had gone after idols, such as the Amorites (Canaanites) worshiped.

27–29 Ahab was filled with remorse when he heard Elijah’s words, and he humbled himself before the Lord (verse 27). Although there was no indication he truly repented,¹¹⁶ the Lord once again showed mercy to this evil king and delayed until the next generation the punishment that was due to come upon his house (2 Kings 9:21–26; 10:1–11).