American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
1 Kings 21
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.
Reference
People
2
And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near to my house: and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to you, I will give you the worth of it in money.
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3
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you.
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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 you the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
Reference
5
But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, Why is your spirit so sad, that you eat no bread?
6
And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give you my vineyard.
7
And Jezebel his wife said to him, Do you now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let your heart be merry: I will give you 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 to 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, You did blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.
Reference
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 to them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them.
12
They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 58:4
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Kings 9:26
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 you 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,
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 9:12
18
Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he is gone down to possess it.
19
And you shall speak to him, saying, Thus said the LORD, Have you killed, and also taken possession? And you shall speak to him, saying, Thus said the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your blood, even yours.
Reference
20
And Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he answered, I have found you: because you have sold yourself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
Reference
Evil
2 Kings 17:17
1 Kings 21:25
Parallel theme
Romans 7:14
1 Kings 18:17
Revelation 11:10
References Lord
Isaiah 52:3
21
Behold, I will bring evil on you, and will take away your posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that urinates against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,
Reference
Evil
1 Kings 14:10
22
And will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation with which you have provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.
Reference
23
And of Jezebel also spoke the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
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Parallel theme
2 Kings 9:10
24
Him that dies of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dies in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.
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25
But there was none like to Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
Reference
Evil
1 Kings 21:20
Acts 14:2
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 7:26
Romans 6:19
1 Kings 21:7
References Lord
Proverbs 22:14
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.
Reference
27
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 37:34
2 Samuel 3:31
Isaiah 22:12
Isaiah 38:15
Job 16:15
Joel 1:13
Word
2 Kings 6:30
2 Kings 18:37
28
And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
Summary of 1 Kings 21
This chapter reveals the corruption of Ahab and Jezebel's leadership and demonstrates that God sees injustice and holds even powerful rulers accountable. The chapter centers around Naboth's vineyard and the misuse of royal authority.
Naboth owns a vineyard near Ahab's palace in Jezreel. Ahab desires the vineyard and offers to purchase it, but Naboth refuses because the land is his ancestral inheritance. According to God's law, family land was a sacred responsibility and was not to be permanently surrendered. Naboth's refusal represents faithfulness to God's commands.
Ahab becomes angry and discouraged, revealing his selfish desire and lack of spiritual maturity. Jezebel then takes control of the situation and uses the king's authority to arrange Naboth's death. Through false witnesses and a corrupt legal process, Naboth is falsely accused and executed. After his death, Ahab takes possession of the vineyard.
God sends Elijah to confront Ahab. The prophet declares that God has seen the injustice and announces judgment against Ahab's household. The punishment reflects the seriousness of abusing power, shedding innocent blood, and leading the nation into idolatry.
Elijah also announces judgment against Jezebel, whose influence encouraged Ahab's rebellion and corruption. The chapter describes Ahab as one of Israel's most wicked kings because he willingly surrendered himself to evil.
However, when Ahab hears God's judgment, he humbles himself through fasting and mourning. Although his repentance is incomplete, God recognizes his humility and delays the full judgment until after his lifetime.
The chapter teaches that no person, regardless of position or power, is beyond God's authority. Kings, rulers, and ordinary people are all accountable for their actions.
Naboth owns a vineyard near Ahab's palace in Jezreel. Ahab desires the vineyard and offers to purchase it, but Naboth refuses because the land is his ancestral inheritance. According to God's law, family land was a sacred responsibility and was not to be permanently surrendered. Naboth's refusal represents faithfulness to God's commands.
Ahab becomes angry and discouraged, revealing his selfish desire and lack of spiritual maturity. Jezebel then takes control of the situation and uses the king's authority to arrange Naboth's death. Through false witnesses and a corrupt legal process, Naboth is falsely accused and executed. After his death, Ahab takes possession of the vineyard.
God sends Elijah to confront Ahab. The prophet declares that God has seen the injustice and announces judgment against Ahab's household. The punishment reflects the seriousness of abusing power, shedding innocent blood, and leading the nation into idolatry.
Elijah also announces judgment against Jezebel, whose influence encouraged Ahab's rebellion and corruption. The chapter describes Ahab as one of Israel's most wicked kings because he willingly surrendered himself to evil.
However, when Ahab hears God's judgment, he humbles himself through fasting and mourning. Although his repentance is incomplete, God recognizes his humility and delays the full judgment until after his lifetime.
The chapter teaches that no person, regardless of position or power, is beyond God's authority. Kings, rulers, and ordinary people are all accountable for their actions.