Ahab was already on thin ice with the LORD for making a treaty with the enemy delivered into his hands, yet it did not deter him from conspiring to have a neighbor killed. Despite governing from Samaria, he also possessed a palace in Jezreel, his wife’s hometown. The latest victim of the corrupt couple, Ahab and Jezebel, was Naboth, whose vineyard was close to their palace.
The king desired the vineyard of his neighbour, Naboth, for use as his vegetable garden. In return, he proposed offering Naboth a vineyard of superior worth in a different location or providing payment for the vineyard. The king was expanding his palace compound, and typically such requests would have been granted by the commoners in exchange for a price exceeding the fair market value of the land.
But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”
1 Kings 21:3 (NIV)
The Mosaic law strictly prohibited the sale of inherited promise land by any Israelite. According to this law, the land belonged to God, and the twelve tribes were considered mere tenants of the land, rather than owners. Naboth’s refusal to a pagan king ultimately cost him his life. It is a common human tendency to hold in high esteem the items we believe to be gifts from God. This can include prizes won in church raffles, paintings of Jesus, and old worn-out Bibles. Some people fear that discarding these items could provoke the anger of the LORD, not realising that God discarded His Son on the cross for our sake.
Sullen and Angry
Ahab, upset after being refused Naboth’s inheritance, sulked in bed and refused to eat. Jezebel, his wife, questioned him and then took matters into her own hands, orchestrating a plot to obtain the vineyard for Ahab. Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them, and sent them to the elders and nobles in Naboth’s city.
In the letters, she instructed them to declare a day of fasting, seat Naboth in a prominent place, place two scoundrels opposite him, and have them falsely accuse him of cursing God and the king. Subsequently, they were to take Naboth out and stone him to death. The elders executed the queen’s plan to the letter and had Naboth stoned to death along with his sons (2 Kings 9:26).
A pagan queen was ready to use the day of fasting to accomplish her desires yet this eerily resembles how modern-day Christians accomplish their own desires during such gatherings. Granted we don’t actively plot to kill someone for their vineyard, but when our prayer meetings start providing fodder to the local rumour-mill, then we are guilty of the same crime. Bible studies become a ruse for people to meet each other and provide opportunities for parents to introduce their children to potential suitors. People start taking part in events purely to get face time with the members who will vote them to power in the next church elections. If we use any of the LORD’s provisions or sacraments for our ulterior motives, then we are no different from queen Jezebel.
Elijah Reappears
When Ahab heard that Naboth and his sons were stoned to death, he immediately got up and went to their home to take possession of their vineyard. He shows no remorse for his actions that led to the death of innocent men and his only concern is for his vegetables. At least David used to cry at his enemies’ funerals before taking over their wives and kingdoms. This enraged the LORD who sent Elijah the Tishbite to meet Ahab and pronounce His wrath on him.
Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!”
1 Kings 21:20-22 (NIV)
“I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. He says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have aroused my anger and have caused Israel to sin.’
And regarding Jezebel, the LORD proclaimed that dogs will consume Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Additionally, dogs will devour those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds will prey on those who perish in the countryside. Never had there been anyone like Ahab, who willingly committed evil in the sight of the LORD, influenced by his wife Jezebel. He conducted himself in an utterly depraved manner by chasing after idols, following the example of the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before Israel.
When Ahab heard these words, he immediately tore his clothes and put on a sackcloth, grieving for his life, he fasted and went around meekly. Not sure if Ahab truly regretted killing the innocent men or if he was only remorseful after hearing God’s prophecy against him. If he had truly repented, he would have done something to make right the wrong he had committed in Naboth’s family.
When Zacchaeus attained salvation, he returned the wealth he had obtained unlawfully multiple times. Upon finding Jesus, he no longer sought security from his previous life. Our lives before and after finding Jesus should be markedly different. As we grow in Him day by day, our lives should reflect His light instead of fulfilling our own desires. Conversely, Ahab’s heart did not experience any transformation, as he persisted in his corrupt ways and ultimately met his foretold demise.
Discussion Questions
- Why did Naboth not grant the king’s request to buy out his vineyard?
- A pagan queen was ready to use the day of fasting to accomplish her desires, how do Christians do the same?
- Did Ahab truly repent for his sin or was he putting on a show?
The Jordan Valley 
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