1 Kings

1 Kings 21:1-3

Naboth had a vineyard near the palace of a king that was never content; ever searching and never finding, Ahab now decided he needed this vineyard.  I wonder how many times Ahab saw this vineyard or walked by it or even how many times he saw Naboth.  Suddenly Ahab's happiness is based possessig this vineyard.  This is a clear case of covetousness of which there is never a good outcome.  Naboth had a healthy and proper understanding of the land; it was the Lord's land and it was given as a possession to the tribes and families.  Naboth couldn't sell or give this land away. 

1 Kings 21:4-7

When Nahab tells Ahab he can't have it Nahab throws a fit and won't eat.  We can certainly get a good look at Ahab's demeanor.  Jezebel steps in and comes to his rescue and sarcastically asks if he is the king of Israel.  I think she was more the king than he was.  You get the feeling this scenario had been played out before; Ahab threw a fit and Jezebel ran in to fix it all.

1 Kings 21:8-16

Jezebel conspired a plan to acquire this property.  She played for keeps with no rules.  She set Nahab up and hired 2 false witnesses against him that are described as worthless men.  The law requires 2 witnesses.  The elders of the city did as Jezebel had told them.  They were as bad as she was, or maybe worse because they should have known better and they should have represented the people. 

The false witnesses made their accusation and Naboth was stoned outside the city according to Mosaic law of Leviticus 24:14 and Numbers 15:35-36.  We see the heart of the people and the place of religion in the irony of the appearance of keeping one law but behind the scense breaking several others.  They apparently stoned Naboth's kids also to eliminate any heirs that might inherit the field – see 2 Kings 9:26. 

1 Kings 21:17-29

Elijah prophesied that Ahab's blood would be licked up by dogs where Nahab's blood was spilled.  This was the same treatment of Jereboam; God said He would make Ahab like the house of Jereboam.  Ahab responded to this prophecy with repentance.  He humbled himself before God.  The prophecy against him wasn't fulfilled because of his humility; it was postponed to Ahab's son.

©2016 Doug Ford