Bible Commentaries

CHAPTER 21Naboth’s Vineyard

1. Naboth’s refusal (1 Kings 21:1-4)

2. Jezebel’s wicked deed (1 Kings 21:5-16)

3. Elijah pronounces divine judgment (1 Kings 21:17-24)

4. Ahab’s wickedness and confession (1 Kings 21:25-27)

5. The LORD’s mercy (1 Kings 21:28-29)

No comment is needed on the story of Naboth’s vineyard. Jezebel, the wicked, and Ahab’s submission to her was his ruination. On her Satanic suggestion one of the most wicked deeds recorded in Bible history is done. Naboth is murdered to obtain his vineyard. The measure of Ahab’s apostasy and wickedness is now filled to overflowing. For the wicked king the tidings of Naboth’s death were welcome tidings. No inquiry follows, but in self-satisfaction he goes to take possession of the beautified vineyard of Naboth. But his enjoyment, as it is always with the enjoyment of sin, did not last very long. No sooner had the innocent blood been spilt, than Jehovah, who saw and knew the foul deed, sent Elijah with the final message of doom and judgment for the guilty pair. Ahab was still in the vineyard. His eyes still feasted on the beautiful scene before him. His thoughts were occupied with the pleasures of sin when suddenly Elijah appeared. “I have found thee,” were the prophet’s first utterances. “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Then follows the sentence already indicated in the words of the disguised prophet in the previous chapter. “I will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Abijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked Me to anger, and made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.” How literally this sentence was carried out we shall find in the subsequent history. But Ahab having humbled himself hears a merciful message from Elijah’s lips. “Because he humbled himself before Me, I will not bring evil in his days, but in his son’s days will I bring evil upon his house.” How merciful the Lord is to all who humble themselves!