I Kings 21
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Commentaries
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After these things - This and the twentieth chapter are transposed in the Septuagint; this preceding the account of the Syrian war with Ben-hadad. Josephus gives the history in the same order.
Open source ↗NABOTH REFUSES AHAB HIS VINEYARD. (Kg1 21:1-4) Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel--Ahab was desirous, from its contiguity to the palace, to possess it for a vegetable garden. He proposed to Naboth to give him a better in exchange, or to obtain it by purchase; but the owner declined to part with it. In persisting in his refusal, Naboth was not actuated by any feelings of disloyalty or disrespect to the king, but solely from a conscientious regard to the divine law, which, for important reasons, had prohibited the sale of a paternal inheritance [Lev 25:23; Num 36:7]; or if, through extreme poverty or debt, an assignation of it to another was unavoidable, the conveyance was made on the condition of its being redeemable at any time [Lev 25:25-27]; at all events, of its reverting at the jubilee to the owner [Lev 25:28]. In short, it could not be alienated from the family, and it was on this ground that Naboth (Kg1 21:3) refused to comply with the king's demand. It was not, therefore, any rudeness or disrespect that made Ahab heavy and displeased, but his sulky and pettish demeanor betrays a spirit of selfishness that could not brook to be disappointed of a favorite object, and that would have pushed him into lawless tyranny had he possessed any natural force of character.
Open source ↗And it came to pass, after these things,.... After the two battles with the king of Syria, in which Ahab was victorious, and after he had let Benhadad, a blasphemer, and injurious to him, go free: that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel; of which place See Gill on Hos 1:5 or "who was in Jezreel"; that is Naboth, for the vineyard was in Samaria, Kg1 21:18. hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria; that being the metropolis of the kingdom of Israel, is put for it, who, besides his palace in Samaria, had another in Jezreel; which, according to Bunting (y), were sixteen miles distant from each other. (y) Travels, &c. p. 164.
Open source ↗After these events Ahab was seized with such a desire for a vineyard which was situated near his palace at Jezreel, that when Naboth, the owner of the vineyard, refused to part with his paternal inheritance, he became thoroughly dejected, until his wife Jezebel paved the way for the forcible seizure of the desired possession by the shameful execution of Naboth (Kg1 21:1-15). But when Ahab was preparing to take possession of the vineyard, Elijah came to meet him with the announcement, that both he and his wife would be visited by the Lord with a bloody death for this murder and robbery, and that his idolatry would be punished with the extermination of all his house (Kg1 21:16-26). Ahab was so affected by this, that he humbled himself before God; whereupon the Lord told Elijah, that the threatened judgment should not burst upon his house till after Ahab's death (Kg1 21:27-29). Kg1 21:1-2 Ahab wanted to obtain possession of the vineyard of Naboth, which was in Jezreel (אשׁר refers to כּרם), near the palace of the king, either in exchange for another vineyard or for money, that he might make a vegetable garden of it. From the fact that Ahab is called the king of Samaria we may infer that Jezreel, the present Zerin (see at Jos 19:18), was only a summer residence of the king. Kg1 21:3 Naboth refused to part with the vineyard, because it was the inheritance of his fathers, that is to say, on religious grounds (חלילה כּי מיהוה), because the sale of a paternal inheritance was forbidden in the law (Lev 25:23-28; Num 36:7.). He was therefore not merely at liberty as a personal right to refuse the king's proposal, but bound by the commandment of God. Kg1 21:4 Instead of respecting this tender feeling of shrinking from the transgression of the law and desisting from his coveting, Ah…
Open source ↗Here is, 1. Ahab coveting his neighbour's vineyard, which unhappily lay near his palace and conveniently for a kitchen-garden. Perhaps Naboth had been pleased that he had a vineyard which lay so advantageously for a prospect of the royal gardens, or the vending of its productions to the royal family; but the situation of it proved fatal to him. If he had had no vineyard, or it had lain obscure in some remote place, he would have preserved his life. But many a man's possessions have been his snare, and his neighbourhood to greatness has been of pernicious consequence. Ahab sets his eye and heart on this vineyard, Kg1 21:2. It will be a pretty addition to his demesne, a convenient out-let to his palace; and nothing will serve him but it must be his own. He is welcome to the fruits of it, welcome to walk in it; Naboth perhaps would have made him a lease of it for his life, to please him; but nothing will please him unless he have an absolute property in it, he and his heirs for ever. Yet he is not such a tyrant as to take it by force, but fairly proposes either to give Naboth the full value of it in money or a better vineyard in exchange. He had tamely quitted the great advantages God had given him of enlarging his dominion for the honour of his kingdom, by his victory over the Syrians, and now is eager to enlarge his garden, only for the convenience of his house, as if to be penny wise would atone for being pound foolish. To desire a convenience to his estate was not evil (there would be no buying if there were no desire of what is bought; the virtuous woman considers a field and buys it); but to desire any thing inordinately, though we would compass it by lawful means, is a fruit of selfishness, as if we must engross all the conveniences, and none must live, or live comf…
Open source ↗21:1-16 The writer includes another incident in which king Ahab responded in an angry and sullen manner (20:43; 21:4). 21:1 In addition to his palace in the capital city, Ahab had a second palace in Jezreel. Excavations at Jezreel have unearthed a sizeable palace there. • Samaria, which sometimes refers to the capital city, here indicates the whole northern kingdom.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite יִזְרְעֵאלִי (Yizrᵉʻêʼlîy, H3158) — a Jizreelite or native of Jizreel כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard יִזְרְעֵאל (Yizrᵉʻêʼl, H3157) — Jizreel, the name of two places in Palestine and of two Israelites אֵצֶל (ʼêtsel, H681) — a side; (as a preposition) near הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard גַּן (gan, H1588) — a garden (as fenced) יָרָק (yârâq, H3419) — properly, green; concretely, a vegetable קָרוֹב (qârôwb, H7138) — near (in place, kindred or time) אֵצֶל (ʼêtsel, H681) — a side; (as a preposition) near בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) מְחִיר (mᵉchîyr, H4242) — price, payment, wages
Open source ↗נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָלִילָה (châlîylâh, H2486) — literal fora profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it! נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) סַר (çar, H5620) — peevish זָעֵף (zâʻêph, H2198) — angry דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite יִזְרְעֵאלִי (Yizrᵉʻêʼlîy, H3158) — a Jizreelite or native of Jizreel דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
Open source ↗אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… סַר (çar, H5620) — peevish אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite יִזְרְעֵאלִי (Yizrᵉʻêʼlîy, H3158) — a Jizreelite or native of Jizreel אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2655) — pleased with
Open source ↗אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְלוּכָה (mᵉlûwkâh, H4410) — something ruled, i.e. a realm יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite
Open source ↗כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… חָתַם (châtham, H2856) — to close up; especially to seal חוֹתָם (chôwthâm, H2368) — a signature-ring שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old חֹר (chôr, H2715) — properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite
Open source ↗כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… צוֹם (tsôwm, H6685) — a fast יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, H1100) — without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness עוּד (ʻûwd, H5749) — to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration);… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… סָקַל (çâqal, H5619) — properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old חֹר (chôr, H2715) — properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… צוֹם (tsôwm, H6685) — a fast יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, H1100) — without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… עוּד (ʻûwd, H5749) — to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration);… נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and…
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָבוֹת (Nâbôwth, H5022) — Naboth, an Israelite סָקַל (çâqal, H5619) — properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
In the time of his distress, King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD.
But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.
O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they refused to accept discipline. They have made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent.
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.