Jezebel’s Plot
December 30, 2019
Commentary
Directed by Jezebel the men of Naboth’s city carried out her plans by accusing Naboth of blasphemy and having him stoned to death outside the city (vv. 11-14). Then Jezebel announced to Ahab that he could take possession of Naboth’s vineyard because he was now dead. Immediately the king got up from his bed and went to take possession of the land he had coveted (vv. 15-16). But we know that Ahab understands all along that it’s a dirty deed that gets him the land. This whole crime unfolds when Ahab sees a vineyard, that he wants. He’s got plenty of land and vineyards but he wants this one. Covetousness, greed, envy, and pride creep in. God chose Elijah to bear a message of judgment to Ahab, who was then in Naboth’s vineyard (vv. 17-18). God told Elijah just what to say (v. 19).
Elijah told Ahab that his days were numbered because of this crime that he had committed. He told him how all of his sons would die (vv. 20-26). He also told him that in the place where Naboth died the dogs would lick his blood and the dogs would lick Jezebel’s blood in the ditch at Jezreel (vv. 19, 23). At that time wild dogs lived off the garbage dumps of the cities like Jezreel. When Ahab heard these dreadful words he ripped his clothes and put on sackcloth to show he was sorrowful (v. 27). To me, his phony repentance stinks, but God accepts it. When God saw Ahab’s change of mind and behavior he promised to postpone the destruction of Ahab’s house until the days of his son (vv. 28-29). The slightest movement toward repentance moves God’s heart to compassion. However, Jezebel did not repent and she suffered all that God promised she would get (2 Kings 9:30-37)
Application
Ahab was more wicked than any other king of Israel (v. 25). However, when he humbled himself and repented God postponed his punishment. The same God who was merciful to Ahab wants to be merciful to me if I will turn to God and ask for forgiveness (l John 1:9).
1 Kings 21:11– 29 (NET)
11 The men of the city, the leaders, and the nobles who lived there followed the written orders Jezebel had sent them. 12 They observed a time of fasting and put Naboth in front of the people. 13 The two villains arrived and sat opposite him. Then the villains testified against Naboth right before the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. 14 Then they reported to Jezebel, “Naboth has been stoned to death.”
15 When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up, take possession of the vineyard Naboth the Jezreelite refused to sell you for silver, for Naboth is no longer alive; he’s dead.” 16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
17 The Lord’s message came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 “Get up, go down and meet King Ahab of Israel who lives in Samaria. He is at the vineyard of Naboth; he has gone down there to take possession of it. 19 Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord has said: “Haven’t you committed murder and taken possession of the property of the deceased?”’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord has said: “In the spot where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood they will also lick up your blood—yes, yours!”’”
20 When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So, you have found me, my enemy!” Elijah replied, “I have found you, because you are committed to doing evil in the sight of the Lord. 21 The Lord says, ‘Look, I am ready to bring disaster on you. I will destroy you and cut off every last male belonging to Ahab in Israel, including even the weak and incapacitated. 22 I will make your dynasty like those of Jeroboam son of Nebat and Baasha son of Ahijah because you angered me and made Israel sin.’ 23 The Lord says this about Jezebel, ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the outer wall of Jezreel.’ 24 As for Ahab’s family, dogs will eat the ones who die in the city, and the birds of the sky will eat the ones who die in the country.” 25 (There had never been anyone like Ahab, who was firmly committed to doing evil in the sight of the Lord, urged on by his wife Jezebel. 26 He was so wicked he worshiped the disgusting idols, just as the Amorites whom the Lord had driven out from before the Israelites.)
27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He slept in sackcloth and walked around dejected. 28 The Lord’s message came to Elijah the Tishbite, 29 “Have you noticed how Ahab shows remorse before me? Because he shows remorse before me, I will not bring disaster on his dynasty during his lifetime, but during the reign of his son.”