1 Kings 21:1-2
“Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.”
Elijah had been dealing with Ahab and Jezebel since the beginning of his prophetic ministry. They were well acquainted with Elijah’s message and ministry. For years Ahab and Jezebel were challenged to repent of their idolatry, and for years God patiently waited. Still, they refused to obey. The dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel, where the Lord defeated the prophets of Baal and proved himself as the one true God, only made them angry. They stubbornly and deliberately refused to repent.
In spite of this exposure to God’s truth and power, Ahab and Jezebel had hardened their hearts. This godless king and his evil wife had given themselves to the worship of Baal, and had killed God’s prophets. But now, in chapter 21, we see their evil actions at a very personal level.
Naboth is a simple man who owned a piece of ground with a vineyard on it. This vineyard, which Naboth inherited from his father, happened to lie close to King Ahab’s palace. One day, for some reason, Ahab notices it and becomes determined to own it. So he approaches Naboth and offers to buy the land or trade for it.
“Naboth said to Ahab, ‘The Lord forbid me that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” (1 Kings 21.3}
According to the Law, Naboth could not sell his father’s inheritance, and he reminds the king of this, thereby declaring his faithfulness to the Lord God. Naboth chooses to obey the King of Kings rather than the king of Israel. This is an affront to Ahab, especially since he was not faithful to God. Ahab wanted the land, he made an offer, and he expects Naboth to comply. Ahab does not care what the Law of God says.
“So Ahab came into his house sullen and vexed because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and ate no food.” (1 Kings 21.4)
Ahab is angry and despondent that Naboth refused his offer. He is a grown man and the king of the nation of Israel, yet he is pouting like a petulant child who hasn’t gotten his way. “Sullen” and “vexed,” he goes to his room and slams the door and refuses to eat. What a contrast between Naboth the faithful Israelite, and Ahab the unfaithful king.
Jezebel enters the picture again, and what happens next is tragic …
