1 AND it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?
6 And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.
7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:
10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.
11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.
12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.
13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.
15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.
16 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
17 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.
19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord.
21 Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,
22 And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.
23 And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
24 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.
25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
26 And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.
27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.

1And it came to passe after these things, that Naboth the Iezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Iezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

2And Ahab spake vnto Naboth, saying, Giue me thy vineyard, that I may haue it for a garden of herbes, because it is neere vnto my house, and I will giue thee for it a better vineyard then it: or if it seeme good to thee, I will giue thee the worth of it in money.

3And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it mee, that I should giue the inheritance of my fathers vnto thee.

4And Ahab came into his house, heauie, and displeased, because of the word which Naboth the Iezreelite had spoken to him: for he had saide, I will not giue thee the inheritance of my fathers: and he laid him downe vpon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eate no bread.

5 But Iezebel his wife came to him, and said vnto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

6And he said vnto her, Because I spake vnto Naboth the Iezreelite, and said vnto him, Giue mee thy vineyard for money, or else if it please thee, I will giue thee another vineyard for it: And he answered, I wil not giue thee my vineyard.

7And Iezebel his wife saide vnto him, Doest thou now gouerne the kingdome of Israel? Arise, and eate bread, and let thine heart bee merrie: I will giue thee the vineyard of Naboth the Iezreelite.

8So shee wrote letters in Ahabs name, and sealed them with his seale, and sent the letters vnto the Elders, and to the Nobles that were in his citie dwelling with Naboth.

9And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaime a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:

10And set two men, sonnes of Belial before him, to beare witnes against him, saying, Thou diddest blaspheme God and the king: and then carie him out, and stone him that he may die.

11And the men of his citie, euen the Elders and the Nobles who were the inhabitants in his citie, did as Iezebel had sent vnto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent vnto them.

12They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.

13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sate before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, euen against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they caried him foorth out of the citie, and stoned him with stones, that hee died.

14Then they sent to Iezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.

15 And it came to passe when Iezebel heard that Naboth was stoned and was dead, that Iezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the Uineyard of Naboth the Iezreelite, which hee refused to giue thee for money: for Naboth is not aliue, but dead.

16And it came to passe when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose vp to goe downe to the Uineyard of Naboth the Iezreelite, to take possession of it.

17 And the word of the Lord came to Eliiah the Tishbite, saying,

18Arise, goe downe to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, hee is in the Uineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone downe to possesse it.

19And thou shalt speake vnto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speake vnto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord; In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogges licke thy blood, euen thine.

20And Ahab said to Eliiah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemie? And he answered, I haue found thee: because thou hast sold thy selfe to worke euill in the sight of the Lord.

21Behold, I will bring euill vpon thee, and will take away thy posteritie, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut vp, and left in Israel,

22And will make thine house like the house of Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the sonne of Ahiiah, for the prouocation wherewith thou hast prouoked mee to anger, and made Israel to sinne.

23And of Iezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eate Iezebel by the wall of Iezreel.

24Him that dieth of Ahab in the citie, the dogs shall eate: and him that dieth in the field, shall the foules of the aire eat.

25 But there was none like vnto Ahab, which did sell himselfe to worke wickednesse in the sight of the Lord, whom Iezebel his wife stirred vp.

26And hee did very abominably in following Idoles, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.

27And it came to passe when Ahab heard those wordes, that hee rent his clothes, and put sackecloth vpon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

28And the word of the Lord came to Eliiah the Tishbite, saying,

29Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himselfe before mee? because hee humbleth himselfe before mee, I will not bring the euill in his dayes: but in his sonnes dayes will I bring the euill vpon his house.

II == 1st Sam 8:14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

III == Lev 25:23 ; Num 36:7 ; Ezek 46:18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X == Ex 22:28 ; Lev 24:14-16 ; Acts 6:11

 

 

 

 

 

 

XII == Isa 58:4

 

XIII == 2nd Kings 9:26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XVII == Ps 9:12

 

XVIII == 1st Kings 13:32 ; 2nd Chr 22:9

 

XIX == 1st Kings 22:38

 

 

 

 

XX == 1st Kings 18:17 ; 2nd Kings 17:17 ; Rom 7:14

XXI == 1st Sam 25:22 ; 1st Kings 14:10 ; 2nd Kings 9:8

 

XXII == 1st Kings 15:29 ; 16:3 , 11

 

 

XXIII == 2nd Kings 9:36

 

XXIV == 1st Kings 14:11 ; 16:4

XXV == 1st Kings 16:30-31

 

XXVI == Gen 15:16 ; 2nd Kings 21:11

 

XXVII == gen 37:34

 

 

 

 

XXIX == 2Kings 9:25

1 Some time after this, as Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria,

2 Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard to be my vegetable garden, since it is close by, next to my house. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or, if you prefer, I will give you its value in money."

3 "The LORD forbid," Naboth answered him, "that I should give you my ancestral heritage."

4 Ahab went home disturbed and angry at the answer Naboth the Jezreelite had made to him: "I will not give you my ancestral heritage." Lying down on his bed, he turned away from food and would not eat.

5 His wife Jezebel came to him and said to him, "Why are you so angry that you will not eat?"

6 He answered her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Sell me your vineyard, or, if you prefer, I will give you a vineyard in exchange.' But he refused to let me have his vineyard."

7 "A fine ruler over Israel you are indeed!" his wife Jezebel said to him. "Get up. Eat and be cheerful. I will obtain the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite for you."

8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and, having sealed them with his seal, sent them to the elders and to the nobles who lived in the same city with Naboth.

9 This is what she wrote in the letters: "Proclaim a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people.

10 Next, get two scoundrels to face him and accuse him of having cursed God and king. Then take him out and stone him to death."

11 His fellow citizens - the elders and the nobles who dwelt in his city - did as Jezebel had ordered them in writing, through the letters she had sent them.

12 They proclaimed a fast and placed Naboth at the head of the people.

13 Two scoundrels came in and confronted him with the accusation, "Naboth has cursed God and king." And they led him out of the city and stoned him to death.

14 Then they sent the information to Jezebel that Naboth had been stoned to death.

15 When Jezebel learned that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Go on, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which he refused to sell you, because Naboth is not alive, but dead."

16 On hearing that Naboth was dead, Ahab started off on his way down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

17 But the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite:

18 "Start down to meet Ahab, king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be in the vineyard of Naboth, of which he has come to take possession.

19 This is what you shall tell him, 'The LORD says: After murdering, do you also take possession? For this, the LORD says: In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, the dogs shall lick up your blood, too.'"

20 "Have you found me out, my enemy?" Ahab said to Elijah. "Yes," he answered. "Because you have given yourself up to doing evil in the LORD'S sight,

21 I am bringing evil upon you: I will destroy you and will cut off every male in Ahab's line, whether slave or freeman, in Israel.

22 I will make your house like that of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, and like that of Baasha, son of Ahijah, because of how you have provoked me by leading Israel into sin."

23 (Against Jezebel, too, the LORD declared, "The dogs shall devour Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.")

24 "When one of Ahab's line dies in the city, dogs will devour him; when one of them dies in the field, the birds of the sky will devour him."

25 Indeed, no one gave himself up to the doing of evil in the sight of the LORD as did Ahab, urged on by his wife Jezebel.

26 He became completely abominable by following idols, just as the Amorites had done, whom the LORD drove out before the Israelites.

27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth over his bare flesh. He fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued.

28 Then the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite,

29 "Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his time. I will bring the evil upon his house during the reign of his son."

 

v 1-4. Ahab had built a new palace and his landscape plans included a vegetable garden in the location of Naboth’s vineyard, and he was willing to pay extra to get it. However, Naboth was loyal to Hebrew law of inheritance and would not sell. Ahab respected this, but he wanted his own way so bad that he sulked and wouldn’t eat.

 

 

 

v 5-7. When Jezebel found out the reason for his pouting, she told him to eat and be merry, she would get it for him. His greed overcame his reasoning, & he allowed it.

 

 

 

 

v 8-10. In her wicked plan she sent letters in Ahab’s name to the officials of Naboth’s city with instruction to set a fast and give Naboth a prominent position in the city. They were also to set two scoundrels to appear on the scene and lie that Naboth had cursed God, punishable by stoning, and the King,

 

 

v 11-14. They knew this whole thing was wrong, but they feared the wrath of Jezebel if they resisted the apparent king’s order, so they fulfilled her commands, then reported back that Naboth was stoned and dead.

 

 

 

 

 

v 15,16. Without giving details, Jezebel told Ahab that Naboth was dead and he could take possession of the vineyard. Ahab didn’t ask, but he had to know she had caused the death. The land should still have stayed in the inheritance, but  2 Ki. 9:26 indicate his sons were killed too. Accepting it made Ahab just as guilty as she was.

 

v 17-20. God directed Elijah to Ahab while he was in Naboth’s garden taking possession, rebuking him for killing and possessing, then the consequence of it.

 

 

 

 

v 21,24. Ahab asked in 18:17, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” Now it is, “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” He had made himself the enemy of God. He probably thought some prophet would sooner or later confront him. Elijah firmly brings the word of God that all Ahab’s male descendants will be killed. He gives the same judgment that was given to Jeroboam, 14:11 and Baasha, 16:4, “He that dies in the city will the dogs eat and he that dieth in the field, shall the fowls of the air eat.”  He is told that dogs will eat Jezebel by the wall in Jezreel, 2 ki. 9:30-37.

 

 

v 25-27. Ahab is cited for his extreme wickedness, but he is a somewhat weak individual whose wickedness was instigated by Jezebel. This by no means excuses him. When he heard his condemnation, he was humbled and very repentant. We must assume this repentance was real, though he did turn from the Lord again.

 

 

v 28,29. Presumably God had Elijah tell Ahab that because of his repentance the destruction on his house would not be in his own day, but in the day of his son Joram, 2 Ki. 9:24-26. Jezebel did not repent and she was slain as prophesied.