I Kings 21:4
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
So Ahab went to his palace, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had told him, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ahab is still the unhappy subject of the sacred history; from the great affairs of his camp and kingdom this chapter leads us into his garden, and gives us an account of some ill things (and ill indeed they proved to him) relating to his domestic affairs. I. Ahab is sick for Naboth's vineyard (Kg1 21:1-4). II. Naboth dies by Jezebel's plot, that the vineyard may escheat to Ahab (Kg1 21:5-14). III. Ahab goes to take possession (Kg1 21:15-16). IV. Elijah meets him, and denounces the judgments of God against him for his injustice (Kg1 21:17-24). V. Upon his humiliation a reprieve is granted (Kg1 21:25-29).
Open source ↗21:4 angry and sullen: Ahab’s reaction was the same when he was rebuked by God’s prophet (20:43). A sullen attitude can easily arise in a stubborn, self-centered person (21:16, 20, 25-26; see 16:31-32; 18:10, 17; 20:42-43; 22:3, 27-30).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went home to Samaria.
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.
so he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”
Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.
and do not give the devil a foothold.
Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry.
Then God asked Jonah, “Have you any right to be angry about the plant?” “I do,” he replied. “I am angry enough to die!”