Ahab Covets Naboth’s Vineyard

I Kings 21:1–10
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A period of peace followed the battle of Aphek (20:26–34). Some time after the battle the events recorded in chapter 21 took place. Naboth was a neighbor of Ahab in Jezreel. Ahab wanted to buy Naboth’s vineyard to use for a vegetable garden. He offered to pay him in cash or give him a better piece of land elsewhere (vv. 1-2). Naboth was a God-fearing Jew and in obedience to the Mosaic Law he refused to sell this family inheritance to Ahab (Num. 36:7). Because of this Ahab behaved in a very childish manner by pouting. He lay on his bed feeling sorry for himself and even refused to eat (vv. 3-4).

When Jezebel saw him behaving strangely she asked what was wrong. He told her about Naboth’s refusal. She told Ahab that as king he should just take what he wanted and if he didn’t want to do this she would (vv. 5-7). Knowing how to use the laws of Israel she sent letters to the leaders of the community. She asked them to declare a fast and have two men to accuse Naboth of cursing God and Ahab so that the people would stone Naboth.

Jewish law required two witnesses to condemn a person to death (Deut. 17:6-7) and cursing God was a crime punishable by stoning (Lev. 24:16).  Cursing the king was not punishable by death but Jezebel added this part because she thought it should also be a part of the law (vv. 8-10). This led to a reappearance of Elijah who went to Ahab to confront him. It is true that Jezebel was directly responsible for Naboth’s death but Ahab was ultimately responsible since the letter she sent to the elders ordering his murder had been sent out under Ahab’s name (v. 8). Ahab had committed the crime of seizing property and killing Naboth.

Application

When Ahab didn’t get what he wanted he went home to pout. It is easy to pout when things don’t go our way. I need to make sure that pouting is never a part of my life. I must remember that “all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28) and “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4).