1 Reis 21

Alexander Maclaren · Citado em PreceptAustin

1 Reis 21

Maclaren noted three types of dangerous characters in this chapter: - (1) Ahab, who was wicked and weak. - (2) Jezebel, who was wicked and strong. - (3) The Elders of Jezreel, who were wicked and subservient. Now it came about after these things - CSB - "Some time passed after these events" Always pause when you see time phrases and ask "What time is it?" In this case it would seem to be after we have left King Ahab "sullen and vexed" in 1Ki 20:43. That Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria - The writer sets the scene for another sullen scene! Here Samaria as the capital stands for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Dave Roper - Jezreel was the summer capital of the nation of Israel, the northern kingdom. It is located on the northern slopes of Mt. Gilboa, so it is shaded from the summer sun and overlooks the valley of Jezreel. It gets the winds that blow in from the Mediterranean during the summer, so it is a very cool and delightful place. Ahab had taken his court to Jezreel and had set up residence there. There is only a sleepy little Arab village there today, but in Ahab's time it was a thriving and bustling center of national life. Apparently, Ahab's palace was right on the wall that was a part of the citadel, and from his palace he could look down into a neighboring vineyard which belonged to Naboth. It was evidently a lovely vineyard, and because of its location it was very much desired by Ahab. He wanted it for a vegetable garden Complete Biblical Library Commentary - The neighborhood of Jezreel, as is still shown by the ancient winepresses cut out of the rock in the neighborhood of its ruins, was enriched by vineyards, and one of these vineyards adjoining the palace belonged to a citizen named Naboth. Robert G Lee's assessment of Ahab - I introduce to you Ahab, the vile human toad who squatted upon the throne of his nation -- the worst of Israel's kings. King Ahab had command of a nation's wealth and a nation's army, but he had no command of his lusts and appetites. Ahab wore rich robes, but he had a sinning and wicked and troubled heart beneath them. He ate the finest food the world could supply -- and this food was served to him in dishes splendid by servants obedient to his every beck and nod -- but he had a starved soul. He lived in palaces sumptuous within and without, yet he tormented himself for one bit of land more. Ahab was a king with a throne and a crown and a scepter, yet he lived nearly all of his life under the thumb of a wicked woman -- a tool in her hands. Ahab pilloried himself in the contempt of all God-fearing men as a mean and selfish rascal who was the curse of his country. The Bible introduces him to us in words more appropriate than these when it says: 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. 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 . . . And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him (I Kings 21:25,26; 16:33). I like J R Macduff's analysis of Voices from Naboth's Vineyard - (1) Beware of covetousness, (2) Keep out of the way of temptation, and (3) Be sure your sin will find you out! For expansion of each of these subtopics see the full message Voices from Naboth’s Vineyard QUESTION - Who was Naboth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - Naboth’s story in the Bible (1 Kings 21) involves the downfall of the wicked king Ahab of Israel and his infamous wife, Jezebel. Because of their mistreatment of Naboth, Ahab and Jezebel were each promised an untimely and violent demise. Naboth was a Jezreelite. He had a vineyard in close proximity to Ahab’s palace in Jezreel. Ahab wanted to turn Naboth’s vineyard into a vegetable garden, since it was so near the palace (1 Kings 21:2). So the king offered to pay Naboth for his vineyard or give him a better vineyard someplace else. Naboth, however, was unwilling to give up the land he had inherited from his fathers; it was not for sale at any price (verse 3). Ahab was upset and went home “sullen and angry” because he could not have Naboth’s vineyard. The sulking king refused to eat (1 Kings 21:4). It may seem strange that Naboth would refuse the king’s offer, but Naboth was doing the right thing. God had commanded that a family’s inheritance not be sold: “The land must not be sold permanently” (Leviticus 25:23+); and “No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal inheritance of their ancestors” (Numbers 36:7+). Naboth was simply following the Law; it was King Ahab who wanted to ignore the Law, and then he pouted when the righteous Naboth would not agree. In the palace, Queen Jezebel noticed that her husband was unhappy, so she asked him what was wrong. Ahab told her about his encounter with Naboth. Jezebel told him that, since he was the king, he could have anything he wanted. Then she promised to take action herself: “Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite” (1 Kings 21:7). Jezebel proceeded to make arrangements to have Naboth disposed of. First, she forged letters from the king (verse 8), directing the noblemen and elders of the city to “proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people” (verse 9). Near Naboth were to be placed two “scoundrels” who would falsely accuse Naboth of cursing both God and the king. On these trumped up charges, Naboth was to be taken outside the city and stoned to death (verse 10). The evil plan against Naboth worked. Jezebel had been careful to plant two false witnesses, since a death sentence could not be carried out on the basis of only one witness (Deuteronomy 17:6). So she followed the Law when it suited her; that is, when she could twist it to facilitate her ability to lie, steal, and murder. An especially heinous part of Jezebel’s plan was her proclamation of a day of fasting—using a religious ceremony to cover her murderous intent and ensure Naboth’s presence was depraved in the extreme. When the queen received word that Naboth was dead, she told Ahab that he could now take possession of Naboth’s vineyard, which Ahab was all too happy to do (1 Kings 21:15). Because of Ahab and Jezebel’s shocking murder of Naboth, God condemned them both. Elijah the prophet came to the king with a message from God. In fact, Elijah met Ahab while the king was touring his ill-gotten vineyard. The prophet said, “Have you not murdered a man and seized his property? . . . This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!” (1 Kings 21:19). Next, Elijah prophesied that the Lord would bring disaster on the house of Ahab, so that every male in Ahab’s household would die and, rather than receive an honorable burial, they would be eaten by wild animals (verse 21 and 24). Then the prophet foretold the queen’s fate: “Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel” (1 Kings 21:23). After hearing this terrible pronouncement, Ahab repented of his actions toward Naboth; he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and humbled himself before God (1 Kings 21:27). Because of Ahab’s response, the Lord chose not to bring the promised disaster on Ahab during his lifetime but during his son’s days instead (verse 28). Ahab was indeed an evil man. In fact, he “sold himself to do evil” (1 Kings 21:25), and he “did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him” (1 Kings 16:30). One of the things the Lord hates is “hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17), and Ahab and Jezebel were certainly stained with the innocent blood of Naboth. Yet, even in God’s judgment of Ahab, He showed mercy in response to a humbled heart. The Lord was true to His word. Ahab was killed in battle; his blood was washed out of the chariot in the same place where Naboth had been stoned to death, and the dogs were there, just as Elijah had said (1 Kings 22:34–38). Jezebel was killed, and her body was eaten by dogs (2 Kings 9:30–37). And Ahab’s family were all killed (2 Kings 10:1–17). Thus Naboth was avenged. 1 Kings 21:2 Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden because it is close beside my house, and I will give you a better vineyard than it in its place; if you like, I will give you the price of it in money.” KJV 1 Kings 21:2 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. BGT 1 Kings 20:2 καὶ ἐλάλησεν Αχααβ πρὸς Ναβουθαι λέγων δός μοι τὸν ἀμπελῶνά σου καὶ ἔσται μοι εἰς κῆπον λαχάνων ὅτι ἐγγίων οὗτος τῷ οἴκῳ μου καὶ δώσω σοι ἀμπελῶνα ἄλλον ἀγαθὸν ὑπὲρ αὐτόν εἰ δὲ ἀρέσκει ἐνώπιόν σου δώσω σοι ἀργύριον ἀντάλλαγμα τοῦ ἀμπελῶνός σου τούτου καὶ ἔσται μοι εἰς κῆπον λαχάνων LXE 1 Kings 21:2 And Achaab spoke to Nabuthai, saying, Give me thy vineyard, and I will have it for a garden of herbs, for it is near my house: and I will give thee another vineyard better than it; or if it please thee, I will give thee money, the price of this thy vineyard, and I will have it for a garden of herbs. NET 1 Kings 21:2 Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard so I can make a vegetable garden out of it, for it is adjacent to my palace. I will give you an even better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will pay you silver for it." CSB 1 Kings 21:2 So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard so I can have it for a vegetable garden, since it is right next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver." ESV 1 Kings 21:2 And after this Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money." NIV 1 Kings 21:2 Ahab said to Naboth, "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth." NLT 1 Kings 21:2 One day Ahab said to Naboth, "Since your vineyard is so convenient to my palace, I would like to buy it to use as a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or if you prefer, I will pay you for it." Give me: Ge 3:6 Ex 20:17 De 5:21 1Sa 8:14 Jer 22:17 Hab 2:9-11 Lu 12:15 1Ti 6:9 Jas 1:14,15 garden: 2Ki 9:27 De 11:10 Ec 2:5 Song 4:15 if you like: Heb. be good in thine eyes, Ge 16:6 1Sa 8:6 29:6 1 Kings 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Samuel 8:14+ “He (THE KING) will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and your olive groves and give them to his servants. (THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT AHAB DID!) 2 Samuel 24:24+ However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. AHAB'S REQUEST OF NABOTH One could also entitle this passage "Ahab's Covetous Craving of Naboth's Vineyard." Or simply "The High Cost of Coveting." Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden because it is close beside my house, and I will give you a better vineyard than it in its place; if you like, I will give you the price of it in money - The request of Ahab, at first view, appears fair and reasonable. The problem was that evidently Ahab wished Naboth to sell the land permanently, which was expressly forbidden in the law of God, (Lev 25:14-28+) it was sinful for Ahab to tempt him to do it. Ahab's coveting Naboth's land showed the depravity of his soul. According to Leviticus 25:25-28+, if someone sold their land, it could only be temporary and had to be returned in the Year of Jubilee. One might ask why could David buy the threshing floor from Araunah (Ornan) (2Sa 24:24+ - “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”) and Ahab not be able to buy the vineyard from Naboth? Araunah in contrast to Naboth actually offered the land to David for free, but David insisted on paying. Even more significant is the fact that Araunah was not subject to the inheritance laws of the Mosaic Covenant because he was not an Israelite but a Jebusite (thus a Canaanite) (2Sa 24:16+). Naboth on the other hand was an Israelite and was simply obeying God’s law, while Araunah had no such restriction. The land purchased from Araunah was eventually used as the site of Solomon's temple, the "House of God." (See Who was Araunah the Jebusite?) Peter Wallace: Think of the symbolism here. Every day Ahab has to look out his window at this Israelite vineyard– this symbol of the permanence of the blessing of Yahweh upon his people. And he wants to turn it into a vegetable garden– a symbol of Egypt–of transience. I doubt that Ahab was thinking of this, but the author of Kings probably was. Ahab is the antichrist, who is leading an assault on the inheritance of Israel, turning the Promised Land into a waste land. (See his sermon entitled "The Vineyard and the Vegetable Garden" - google may say it is not safe but I had no issues using it). Iain Provan has an interesting, pithy comment on the vineyard becoming a vegetable garden - When one realizes that Israel is sometimes portrayed in the OT as a vine under God's special care (e.g., Isa. 3:13-15; cf. Mark 12:1-12 and parallels; John 15:1-17), then it becomes clear that Ahab's desire to replace a vineyard with a vegetable garden is meant to be seen as symbolic of a deeper desire. This is a king who wants to make Israel like Egypt [see Deut. 11:10], as did that earlier king [i.e., Solomon] with his foreign wives (cf. … 1Ki 3:1; 4:21-28; 9:10-14; 10:14-29). (See 1 & 2 Kings - Understanding the Bible Commentary Series - Page 21) The Cure For Greed Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. --Colossians 3:2 A man who lived with his elderly aunt expected to inherit her small fortune. But he didn't wait for her to die naturally. The newspaper reported that he killed her by giving her an overdose of medication. He's now in prison. In 1 Kings 21, we read about wealthy King Ahab, who wanted a vineyard so much that he allowed his wife to murder the owner. God was so displeased that He sent Elijah to tell Ahab that dogs would lick up his blood in the very place where Naboth had been murdered. Not only that, but his wife and every male descendant would be slaughtered. The terrifying prophecy was fulfilled 3 years later (2 Ki. 9:4-10:11). We should fear the sin of greed because it leads people to do terrible things. We should hate it because it is idolatry (Col. 3:5), causing us to value earthly things above God. The good news is that we can escape greed's grip. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col 3:2). He urged us to focus on our relationship with Christ and to look forward to meeting with Him when He returns (Col 3:1-4). Thinking It Over Why is greed so pointless? (Mt. 6:19-24). What's more important than possessions? (vv.25-34). What do I desire most in life? If we have Christ, what more do we need? Mastery of self Sir Richard Grenville said of Thomas Stukeley, “He was a knight who wanted but one step to greatness, and that was, that in his excessive hurry to rule other people, he forgot to rule himself.” The true victor is he who leads his own captivity captive, is master of his own heart by giving it over to the Master Himself. Until the kingdom that has been divided is united, how can it conquer its foes? The discontented man A contented man may have enough, but a discontented man never can; his heart is like the "Slough of Despond, into which thousands of waggon loads of the best material were cast, and yet the slough did swallow up all, and was none the better. Discontent is a bottomless bog into which if one world were cast it would quiver and heave for another. A discontented man dooms himself to the direst form of poverty, yea, he makes himself so great a pauper that the revenues of empires could not enrich him. Are you impatient in your present position? Believe me that, as George Herbert said of revenues in times gone by, “He that cannot live on twenty pounds a year cannot live on forty”; so may I say: he who is not contented in his present position will not be contented in another though it bring him double possessions. When the vulture of dissatisfaction has once fixed its talons in the breast it will not cease to tear at your vitals. (C H. Spurgeon.) 1 Kings 21:3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The LORD forbid me that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” KJV 1 Kings 21:3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. BGT 1 Kings 20:3 καὶ εἶπεν Ναβουθαι πρὸς Αχααβ μή μοι γένοιτο παρὰ θεοῦ μου δοῦναι κληρονομίαν πατέρων μου σοί LXE 1 Kings 21:3 And Nabuthai said to Achaab, My God forbid me that I should give thee the inheritance of my fathers. NET 1 Kings 21:3 But Naboth replied to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that I should sell you my ancestral inheritance." CSB 1 Kings 21:3 But Naboth said to Ahab, "I will never give my fathers' inheritance to you." ESV 1 Kings 21:3 But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers." NIV 1 Kings 21:3 But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers." NLT 1 Kings 21:3 But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance that was passed down by my ancestors." The LORD forbid: Ge 44:7,17 Jos 22:29 24:16 1Sa 12:23 24:6 26:9-11 1Ch 11:19 Job 27:5 Ro 3:4,6,31 6:2,15 7:7,13 1Co 6:15 Ga 6:14 I should give: Lev 25:23 Nu 36:7 Eze 46:18 Related Passages: Leviticus 25:23+ ‘The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me. Numbers 36:7+ “Thus no inheritance of the sons of Israel shall be transferred from tribe to tribe, for the sons of Israel shall each hold to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 1 Kings 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries NABOTH REFUSES AHAB'S OFFERS But Naboth said to Ahab, “The LORD forbid me that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers - The LORD did in fact forbid it! Naboth's refusal was based on God’s law, which forbade Israelites from permanently selling their inherited land because ultimately the land belonged to the LORD (Lev 25:23+). The law provided that the land could be leased for a period, but that it could never be sold outright (Leviticus 25:13-15+) In short, Ahab was in the wrong and Naboth was in the right. In the final analysis Ahab's request was actually a violation of the Mosaic Covenant. Naboth believed God's Word and that He had said Israel's inheritance was sacred and inalienable. He would not trade the gift of God for the gift of a king. 1 Kings 21:4 So Ahab came into his house sullen and vexed because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and ate no food. KJV 1 Kings 21:4 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. BGT 1 Kings 20:4 καὶ ἐγένετο τὸ πνεῦμα Αχααβ τεταραγμένον καὶ ἐκοιμήθη ἐπὶ τῆς κλίνης αὐτοῦ καὶ συνεκάλυψεν τὸ πρώσωπον αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἔφαγεν ἄρτον LXE 1 Kings 21:4 And the spirit of Achaab was troubled, and he lay down upon his bed, and covered his face, and ate no bread. NET 1 Kings 21:4 So Ahab went into his palace, bitter and angry that Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not sell to you my ancestral inheritance." He lay down on his bed, pouted, and would not eat. CSB 1 Kings 21:4 So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angry, because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had told him. He had said, "I will not give you my fathers' inheritance." He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and didn't eat any food. ESV 1 Kings 21:4 And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food. NIV 1 Kings 21:4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. NLT 1 Kings 21:4 So Ahab went home angry and sullen because of Naboth's answer. The king went to bed with his face to the wall and refused to eat! sullen and vexed: 1Ki 20:43 Job 5:2 Isa 57:20,21 Jon 4:1,9 Hab 2:9-12 I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers 1Ki 21:3 Nu 22:13,14 And he lay down on his bed: Ge 4:5-8 2Sa 13:2,4 Ec 6:9 7:8,9 Eph 4:27 Jas 1:14 Related Passages: 1 Kings 20:43+ So the king of Israel went to his house sullen and vexed, and came to Samaria. 1 Kings 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE POUTING POTENTATE So Ahab came into his house sullen (sar; Lxx - tarasso - troubled, unsettled) and vexed - Sullen means Ahab was moody, sulking, pouting, and withdrawn because he didn’t get what he wanted, like a petulant child that did not get their way! It is interesting that the effect of the words from Naboth had the same effect on Ahab as the words from Elijah (1Ki 20:43+), both causing Ahab to be sullen and vexed. because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” - Jezebel a Sidonian and Baal would have had no Biblical understanding of Naboth's reason for not selling the land (Lev 25:23+). And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and ate no food He acted like a spoiled, resentful child, refusing to eat or face others. He was acting like a child crossing their arms and refusing to talk after being told "no." Ahab's sinful emotional behavior is setting the stage for a much greater sin once evil Jezebel becomes involved! 🙏 THOUGHT - The Scripture is clear that uncontrolled emotions can incite great sins including murder as a result of Cain's anger (Ge 4:5-7+). Uncontrolled anger can give the devil an opportunity to gain a foothold in your life! (Eph 4:26-27+, cf James 1:20+). The problem with Ahab was he had not learned to be content with what he had. Rod Mattoon notes that "The problem with Ahab was he had not learned to be content with what he had. Matthew Henry said, "Paul had contentment in prison, but Ahab did not have contentment in a palace." The Lord was not a part of Ahab's life. A person with contentment realizes that true happiness is not hindered by material conditions or possessions. The word content has two slightly different pronunciations and meanings. Content= That which is inside of something. Content = Satisfaction with present circumstances. Contentment is being happy with present contents. It is being happy with what I've got rather than focusing on what I don't have. Ahab was a pouting potentate because he focused on what he did not have. The process of acquiring things results in emptiness. Ahab was the king, yet, he felt empty now because he did not have Naboth's vineyard. He had not learned to be happy with what he already had. The process of acquiring character is what brings fulfillment in a person. Character development increases who I am on the inside, not just what I own on the outside. Fulfillment has far more to do with my internal condition than my outward circumstances. A person with character has learned to be content in any circumstance. (Php 4:11+, 1Ti 6:6,8+)...A person with contentment has learned self-control and restraint from wishing for that which is not available. (See Christian Contentment) Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it. -- Proverbs 15:16 Robert G Lee's vivid description of the POUTING POTENTATE (from the classic sermon Pay Day, Some Day) What a ridiculous picture' A king acting like a spoiled and sullen child -- impotent in disappointment and ugly in petty rage! A king, whose victories over the Syrians have rung through many lands -- a conqueror, a slave to himself -- whining like a sick hound! A king, rejecting all converse with others, pouting like a spoiled and petulant child who has been denied one trinket in the midst of one thousand play-things! A king, in a chamber "cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion" (Jer. 22:14), prostituting genius to theatrical trumpery. Ahab went into his ivory house, while the sun was shining and the matters of the daytime were all astir, and went to bed and "turned his face to the wall" - his lips swollen with his mulish moping, his eyes burning with cheap anger-fire, his wicked heart stubborn in perverse rebellion against the commandment of God. Servants brought him his meal, plenteously prepared on platters beautiful, but he "would eat no bread." Doubtless, musicians came to play skillfully on stringed instruments, but he drove them all away with imperious gestures and impatient growlings. He turned from his victuals as one turns from garbage and refuse. The conqueror of the Syrians is a low slave to dirt-cheap trivialities. His spirit, now devilishly sullen, is in bondage. What an ancient picture we have of great powers dedicated to mean, ugly, petty things. Think of it! In the middle of the day, the commander-in-chief of an army seized by Sergeant Sensitive. General Ahab made prisoner by Private Pouts! The leader of an army laid low by Corporal Mopishness! A monarch moaning and blubbering and growlingly refusing to eat because a man, a good man, because of the commandments of God and because of religious principles, would not sell or swap a little vineyard which was his by inheritance from his forefathers. Ahab had lost nothing -- had gained nothing. No one had injured him. No one had made attempt on his life. Yet he, a king with a great army and a fat treasury, was acting like a blubbering baby. Cannon ability was expressing itself in popgun achievement. A massive giant sprawling on the bed like a dwarf punily peevish! A whale wallowing and spouting angrily about because he is denied minnow food! A bear growling sulkily because he cannot lick a spoon in which is a bit of honey! An eagle shrieking and beating his wings in the dust of his own displeasure like a quarreling sparrow fussily fighting with other sparrows for the crumbs in the dust of a village street! A lion sulkily roaring because he was not granted the cheese in a mouse trap! A battleship cruising for a beetle! What an ancient picture of great powers and talents prostituted to base and purposeless ends and withheld from the service of God! What an ancient spectacle! And how modern and up-to-date, in this respect, was Ahab, king of Israel. What a likeness to him in conduct today are many talented men and women. I know men and women -- you know men and women -- with diamond and ruby abilities who are worth no more to God through the churches than a punctured Japanese nickel in a Chinese bazaar! So many there are who, like Ahab, withhold their talents from God -- using them in the service of the devil. People there are, not a few, who have pipe organ abilities and make no more music for the causes of Christ than a wheezy saxophone in an idiot's hands. People there are, many of them, who have incandescent light powers who make no more light for God than a smoky barn lantern, with smoke-blackened globe, on a stormy night. People there are -- I know them and you know them -- with locomotive powers doing pushcart work for God. People there are -- and how sad 'tis true -- who have steam-shovel abilities who are doing teaspoon work for God. Yes! Now look at this overfed bull bellowing for a little spot of grass outside his own vast pasture lands -- and, if you are withholding talents and powers from the service of God, receive the rebuke of the tragic and ludicrous picture. 1 Kings 21:5 But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “How is it that your spirit is so sullen that you are not eating food?” KJV 1 Kings 21:5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? BGT 1 Kings 20:5 καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ιεζαβελ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ ἐλάλησεν πρὸς αὐτόν τί τὸ πνεῦμά σου τεταραγμένον καὶ οὐκ εἶ σὺ ἐσθίων ἄρτον LXE 1 Kings 21:5 And Jezabel his wife went in to him, and spoke to him, saying, Why is thy spirit troubled, and why dost thou eat no bread? NET 1 Kings 21:5 Then his wife Jezebel came in and said to him, "Why do you have a bitter attitude and refuse to eat?" CSB 1 Kings 21:5 Then his wife Jezebel came to him and said to him, "Why are you so upset that you refuse to eat?" ESV 1 Kings 21:5 But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, "Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?" NIV 1 Kings 21:5 His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?" NLT 1 Kings 21:5 "What's the matter?" his wife Jezebel asked him. "What's made you so upset that you're not eating?" Jezebel: 1Ki 21:25 16:31 18:4 19:2 Ge 3:6 How is it that your spirit 2Sa 13:4 Ne 2:2 Es 4:5 1 Kings 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JEZEBEL QUESTIONS AHAB'S SULLEN STATE But - Term of contrast and this is a very bad change of direction in the narrative! Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “How is it that your spirit is so sullen (sar; Lxx - tarasso - troubled, unsettled) that you are not eating food - NET - "Why do you have a bitter attitude and refuse to eat?" Sydney Smith once said, “Never give way to melancholy, for if you do, it will encroach upon you like an overflowing river and overwhelm you.” Lord Byron... Melancholy Sits on me as a cloud along the sky, Which will not let the sunbeams through, nor yet Descend in rain and end; but spreads itself ‘Twixt heaven and earth, like envy between man And man--and is an everlasting mist. Nemesis of a selfish life-A man who lives entirely for himself becomes at last obnoxious to himself. I believe it is the very law of God that self-centeredness ends in self-nauseousness. There is no weariness like the weariness of a man who is wearied of himself, and that is the awful Nemesis which follows the selfish life. (J. H. Jowett.) The tyranny of self There can be no real happiness in the heart, where self is enthroned. If you would have peace, you must seize, bind, and never again let loose, for self is the cruellest tyrant, the deepest shadow, and the blackest blot that darkens life. To be rid of the despot, you must begin by placing others first in all your thoughts and actions; at this the coward drops his head; he hates another to be first. Next, give him no thought or consideration at all, and though at this neglect he cry out piteously, heed him not, for now is the time to bind him hard and fast with the cords of forgetfulness; then cast him far behind, and be careful to allow neither the call of pain nor pleasure to entice you into loosening one jot or tittle of his bonds, or, once set free, the monster will rise again, hydra-headed, and, towering above all else, enfold and crush you within his clutches, until you are no more free, but a slave, bound hand and foot, in the deadly meshes of over-mastering self. (Great Thoughts.) Unholy Alliances The history of the various kings of Judah and Israel, as recorded in 2 Chronicles, does not gloss over the ugly facts. True, Asa “did that which was good...in the eyes of the Lord,” Jehoshaphat “departed not from it, doing that which was right,” and Joash, Uzziah, Hezekiah, Josiah, and others reigned uprightly. Yet, the shameful deeds of the wicked rulers are also openly chronicled. We are told, for instance, that “when Rehoboam had established the kingdom...he forsook the law of the Lord,” and that “Ahaziah...also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab...to do wickedly.” Other examples could be cited, but let’s stop for a moment at Jehoram because of the explanation given for his evil behavior. We read that “he walked...as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab as his wife, and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chron. 21:6). Jehoram’s reign was a failure, and he died “without being desired” (v. 20) because of one mistake: he married a worldly woman—Ahab’s daughter. The Bible tells us that “there was none like unto Ahab, who did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel, his wife, stirred up” (1 Kings 21:25). Unholy alliances always lead to compromise and spiritual disaster. Paul wrote, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Cor. 6:14), and in verse 17 he added, “...be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.” Yes, separation unto God calls for separation from the world! 1 Kings 21:6 So 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 pleases you, I will give you a vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” KJV 1 Kings 21:6 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. BGT 1 Kings 20:6 καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτήν ὅτι ἐλάλησα πρὸς Ναβουθαι τὸν Ιεζραηλίτην λέγων δός μοι τὸν ἀμπελῶνά σου ἀργυρίου εἰ δὲ βούλει δώσω σοι ἀμπελῶνα ἄλλον ἀντ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν οὐ δώσω σοι κληρονομίαν πατέρων μου LXE 1 Kings 21:6 And he said to her, Because I spoke to Nabuthai the Jezraelite, saying, Give me thy vineyard for money; or if thou wilt, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. NET 1 Kings 21:6 He answered her, "While I was talking to Naboth the Jezreelite, I said to him, 'Sell me your vineyard for silver, or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, 'I will not sell you my vineyard.'" CSB 1 Kings 21:6 "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite," he replied. "I told him: Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you a vineyard in its place. But he said, 'I won't give you my vineyard! '" ESV 1 Kings 21:6 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.'" NIV 1 Kings 21:6 He answered her, "Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, 'Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'" NLT 1 Kings 21:6 "I asked Naboth to sell me his vineyard or trade it, but he refused!" Ahab told her. Because: 1Ki 21:2 Es 5:9-14 6:12 Pr 14:30 1Ti 6:9,10 Jas 4:2-7 I will not give: 1Ki 21:3,4 AHAB SULKING EXPLANATION So 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 pleases you, I will give you a vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard - Ahab's greedy desire led to Naboth's righteous refusal, and his request would be one that led to his ruin. One could say Ahab went from Desire to Destruction, which is too often the price of coveting. 1 Kings 21:7 Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now reign over Israel? Arise, eat bread, and let your heart be joyful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” KJV 1 Kings 21:7 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. BGT 1 Kings 20:7 καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν Ιεζαβελ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ σὺ νῦν οὕτως ποιεῖς βασιλέα ἐπὶ Ισραηλ ἀνάστηθι φάγε ἄρτον καὶ σαυτοῦ γενοῦ ἐγὼ δώσω σοι τὸν ἀμπελῶνα Ναβουθαι τοῦ Ιεζραηλίτου LXE 1 Kings 21:7 And Jezabel his wife said to him, Dost thou now thus act the king over Israel? arise, and eat bread, and be thine own master, and I will give thee the vineyard of Nabuthai the Jezraelite. NET 1 Kings 21:7 His wife Jezebel said to him, "You are the king of Israel! Get up, eat some food, and have a good time. I will get the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite for you." CSB 1 Kings 21:7 Then his wife Jezebel said to him, "Now, exercise your royal power over Israel. Get up, eat some food, and be happy. For I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." ESV 1 Kings 21:7 And Jezebel his wife said to him, "Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." NIV 1 Kings 21:7 Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." NLT 1 Kings 21:7 "Are you the king of Israel or not?" Jezebel demanded. "Get up and eat something, and don't worry about it. I'll get you Naboth's vineyard!" Do you now reign: 1Sa 8:4 2Sa 13:4 Pr 30:31 Ec 4:1 8:4 Da 5:19-21 I will give: 1Ki 21:15,16 Mic 2:1,2 7:3 1 Kings 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Proverbs 29:27 An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked. KING'S WIMPERING LEADS TO QUEEN'S WICKEDNESS Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now reign over Israel? - CSB - ""Now, exercise your royal power over Israel" NLT - "Are you the king of Israel or not?" Arise, eat bread, and let your heart be joyful - NIV - "Get up and eat! Cheer up." It's hard to picture Jezebel even having a concept of what truly made one joyful! I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite - NLT - "I'll get you Naboth's vineyard!"" Jezebel does not own the vineyard but has clearly already concocted her plot which would get the vineyard for Ahab. Wives who mar their husbands By the fate of Ahab, whose wife induced him to steal; by the fate of Macbeth, whose wife pushed him into massacre; by the fate of James Ferguson, the philosopher, whose wife entered the room while he was lecturing and wilfully upset his astronomical apparatus, so that he turned to the audience and said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have the misfortune to be married to this woman”; by the fate of Bulwer, the novelist, whose wife’s temper was so incompatible that he furnished her a beautiful house near London, and withdrew from her company; by the fate of John Milton, who married a termagant after he was blind, and when somebody called her a rose, the poet said, “I am no judge of colours, but I may be so, for I feel the thorns daily”--by all these scenes of disquietude and domestic calamity, we implore you to be cautious and prayerful before you enter upon the connubial state, which decides whether a man shall have two heavens or two hells, a heaven here and a heaven there, or a hell now and a hell hereafter. (T. DeWitt Talmage, D. D.) Robert G Lee's vivid description of THE WICKED WIFE (from the classic sermon Pay Day, Some Day) THE WICKED WIFE "And Jezebel his wife." When Ahab would "eat no bread," the servants went and told Jezebel. What she said to them, we do not know. Something of what she said to Ahab we do know. Puzzled and provoked at the news that her husband would not eat -- that he had gone to bed when it was not bedtime -- Jezebel went to investigate. She found him in bed with his face turned to the wall, his lips swollen with mulish moping, his eyes burning with cheap anger-fire, his heart stubborn in wicked rebellion. He was groaningly mournful and peevishly petulant -- having, up to the moment when she stood by his bedside, refused to eat or cheer up in the least. Looking at him then, she doubtless, as is the custom with women until this day, put her hand on his forehead to see if he had fever. He had fever-without doubt! He was set on fire of hell, even as is a wicked tongue (Jas. 3:6). Then, in a voice of "Sweet" solicitation, she sought the reason of his anger. She asked, to put it in the semi-slang language of our day: "What's the matter with you, Big Boy?" But, in the words of the Bible: "Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?" (I Kings 21:5). Then, with his mouth full of grouches, with his heart stubborn in rebellion against the commandment of God, he told her -- his every word full of mopish petulance: 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 (I Kings 21:6). Every word he said stung like a whip upon a naked back this wickedly unscrupulous woman who had never had any regard for the welfare of anyone who did not worship her god, Baal -- who never had any conscientious regard for the rights of others, or for others who did not yield to her whimsical imperiousness. Hear her derisive laugh as it rings Out in the palace like the shrill cackle of a wild fowl that has returned to its nest and has found a serpent therein! With her tongue, sharp as a razor, she prods Ahab as an ox driver prods with sharp goad the ox which does not want to press his neck into the yoke, or as one whips with a rawhide a stubborn mule. With profuse and harsh laughter this old gay and gaudy guinea of Satan derided this king of hers for a cowardly buffoon and sordid Jester What hornet like sting in her sarcasm! What wolf mouth fierceness in her every reproach! What tiger fang cruelty in her expressed displeasure! What fury in the shrieking of her rebuke! What bitterness in the teasing taunts she hurled at him for his scrupulous timidity! Her bosom with anger was heaving! Her eyes were flashing with rage under the surge of hot anger that swept over her. "Are you not the king of this country?" she chides bitingly, her tongue sharp like a butcher's blade. "Can you not command and have it done?" she scolds as a common village hag who has more noise than wisdom in her words "Can you not seize and keep?" she cries with reproach. "I thought you told me you were king in these parts! And here you are crying like a baby and will not eat anything because you do not have courage to take a bit of land. You! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! You, the king of Israel, allow yourself to be disobeyed and defied by a common clodhopper from the country. You are more courteous and considerate of him than you are of your queen! Shame on you! But you leave it to me! I will get the vineyard for you, and all that I require is that you ask no questions. leave it to me, Ahab!" 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 (I Kings 21:7). Ahab knew Jezebel well enough to know that she would do her best, or her worst, to keep her wicked promise. So, as a turtle that has been sluggish in the cold winter's mud begins to move when the spring sunshine warms the mud, Ahab crawled out of the slime of his sulks -- somewhat as a snake arouses and uncoils from winter sleep. Then Jezebel doubtless tickled him under the chin with her bejewelled fingers or kissed him peckingly on the cheek with her lips screwed in a tight knot, and said: "There now! Smile! And eat something. I will get thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite!" Now, let us ask, who can so inspire a man to noble purposes as a noble woman? And who can so thoroughly degrade a man as a wife of unworthy tendencies? Back of the statement, "And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him" (I Kings 16:30), and back of what Elijah spoke, "Thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord" (I Kings 21:20), is the statement explaining both the other statements: "Whom Jezebel his wife stirred up." She was the polluted reservoir from which the streams of his own iniquity found mighty increase. She was the poisonous pocket from which his cruel fangs fed. She was the sulphurous pit wherein the fires of his own iniquity found fuel for intenser burning. She was the Devil's grindstone which furnished sharpening for his weapons of wickedness. Search the pages of the Bible all you will; study history all you please. And you will find one truth that stands out above some other truths. What is that truth? The truth that the spiritual life of a nation, city, town, school, church, or home never rises any higher than the spiritual life of women. When women sag morally and spiritually, men sag morally and spiritually. When women slump morally and spiritually, men slip morally and spiritually. When women take the downward road men travel with them. When women are lame morally and spiritually, men limp morally and spiritually. The degeneracy of womanhood helps the decay of manhood. Yes -- we ask again -- who can so degrade a man as a woman of wicked tendencies and purposes? Is not a woman without spiritual religion and love of God in her heart like a rainbow without color -- like a strong poisoned well from which the thirsty drink -- like a heated stove whose heat is infection -- like kissing lips spread with deadly poison? What a tragedy when any woman thinks more of paint than purity, of vulgarity than virtue, of pearls than principles of adornment with righteous adoration, of hose and hats than holiness, of dress than duty, of mirrors than manners! What a tragedy when any woman sacrifices decency on the altar of degradation -- visualizing the slimy, the tawdry, the tinseled! We ask -- just here -- some questions. Who dominated the papacy in its most shameful days? Lucretia Borgia -- a woman. Who really ordered the massacre of Saint Bartholomew's day? Catherine de Medici -- a woman. Who breathed fury through Robespierre in those dark and bloody days in France when the guillotine was chopping off the heads of the royalty? A woman -- determined, devilish, dominant! Who caused Samson to have his eyes punched out and to be a prisoner of the Philistines, after he had been a judge in Israel for twenty years? Delilah -- a woman! Who caused David to stake his crown for a caress? Bathsheba -- a woman. Who danced Herod into hell? Herodias -- a woman! Who was like a heavy chain around the neck of Governor Felix for life or death, for time and eternity? Drusilla -- a woman! Who, by lying and diabolical stratagem, sent the spotless Joseph to jail because he refused her dirty, improper proposal? Potiphar's wife. Who suggested to Haman that he build a high gallows on which to hang Mordecai, the Jew? Zeresh -- a woman -- his wife! Who told Job in the midst of his calamities, financial and physical, to curse God and die? A woman -- his wife. Who ruined the career of Charles Stewart Parnell and delayed Home Rule for Ireland in the good days of good Queen Victoria? Kitty O'Shea -- a woman. Who caused Anthony to throw away the world at the battle of Actium and follow the enchantress of the Nile back to Egypt? The enchantress herself, Cleopatra -- a woman -- the lovely serpent coiled on the throne of the Ptolemies. So also it was a woman, a passionate and ambitious idolatress, even Jezebel, who mastered Ahab. Take the stirring crimes of any age, and at the bottom, more or less consciously concerned, the world almost invariably finds a woman. Only God almighty knows the full story of the foul plots hatched by women. But we know enough to say that some of the foulest plots that have been hatched out of Satan's incubator were hatched out of eggs placed therein by women's hands. But let me say, incidentally, if women have mastered men for evil, they have also mastered them for good -- and we gladly make declaration that some of the fairest and most fragrant flowers that grow in the garden of God and some of the sweetest and most luscious fruit that ripens in God's spiritual orchards are there because of woman's faith, woman's love, woman's prayer, woman's virtue, woman's tears, woman's devotion to Christ. But as for Ahab, it was Jezebel who stirred him up to more and mightier wickedness than his own wicked mind could conceive or his own wicked hand could execute. 1 Kings 21:8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and sent letters to the elders and to the nobles who were living with Naboth in his city. she wrote: 2Sa 11:14,15 2Ch 32:17 Ezr 4:7,8,11 Ne 6:5 Es 3:12-15 8:8-13 the elders: Nu 11:16 De 16:18,19 21:1-9 the nobles: 1Ki 21:1 2Ki 10:1-7,11 1 Kings 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. (JEZEBEL IS THE ANTITHESIS OF AN EXCELLENT WIFE - SHE WOVE AN EVIL WEB THAT EVENTUALLY TOOK OUT ALL OF AHAB'S FAMILY LINE!) FORGERY IN HIGH PLACES SEALED WITH DECEIT! So - Term of conclusion. In light of Naboth's refusal and Ahab's sullen state Jezebel begins to hatch an evil plot. she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal - Apparently she did this secretly, forging Ahab's name and using his royal seal to make it look like a legitimate letter from Ahab. This woman is a snake! and sent letters to the elders and to the nobles who were living with Naboth in his city - She selects her audience to lay the trap for Naboth. Sadly these godless men, even though they were leaders, would be willing accomplices in the murder of Naboth! 1 Kings 21:9 Now she wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people; KJV 1 Kings 21:9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: BGT 1 Kings 20:9 καὶ ἐγέγραπτο ἐν τοῖς βιβλίοις λέγων νηστεύσατε νηστείαν καὶ καθίσατε τὸν Ναβουθαι ἐν ἀρχῇ τοῦ λαοῦ LXE 1 Kings 21:9 And it was written in the letters, saying, Keep a fast, and set Naboth in a chief place among the people. NET 1 Kings 21:9 This is what she wrote: "Observe a time of fasting and seat Naboth in front of the people. CSB 1 Kings 21:9 In the letters, she wrote: Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people. ESV 1 Kings 21:9 And she wrote in the letters, "Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. NIV 1 Kings 21:9 In those letters she wrote: "Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. NLT 1 Kings 21:9 In her letters she commanded: "Call the citizens together for fasting and prayer, and give Naboth a place of honor. Proclaim a fast: Ge 34:13-17 Isa 58:4 Mt 2:8 23:14 Lu 20:47 Joh 18:28 1 Kings 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PROCLAIM A FAST PLACE NABOTH AT HEAD Now she wrote in the letters (scrolls), saying, “Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people; 1 Kings 21:10 and seat two worthless men before him, and let them testify against him, saying, ‘You cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” KJV 1 Kings 21:10 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. BGT 1 Kings 20:10 καὶ ἐγκαθίσατε δύο ἄνδρας υἱοὺς παρανόμων ἐξ ἐναντίας αὐτοῦ καὶ καταμαρτυρησάτωσαν αὐτοῦ λέγοντες ηὐλόγησεν θεὸν καὶ βασιλέα καὶ ἐξαγαγέτωσαν αὐτὸν καὶ λιθοβολησάτωσαν αὐτόν καὶ ἀποθανέτω LXE 1 Kings 21:10 And set two men, sons of transgressors, before him, and let them testify against him, saying, He blessed God and the king: and let them lead him forth, and stone him, and let them die. NET 1 Kings 21:10 Also seat two villains opposite him and have them testify, 'You cursed God and the king.' Then take him out and stone him to death." CSB 1 Kings 21:10 Then seat two wicked men opposite him and have them testify against him, saying, "You have cursed God and the king!" Then take him out and stone him to death. ESV 1 Kings 21:10 And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, 'You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out and stone him to death." NIV 1 Kings 21:10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death." NLT 1 Kings 21:10 And then seat two scoundrels across from him who will accuse him of cursing God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death." two worthless men: De 19:15 Mt 26:59,60 Ac 6:11 worthless - sons of Belial: De 13:13 Jdg 19:22 You cursed God and the king: Ex 22:28 Lev 24:15 Mt 26:59-66 Joh 10:33 Ac 6:13 TWO MEN FALSELY ACCUSE LEADING TO STONING NABOTH and seat two worthless (beliyyaal; Lxx - paranomos = lawless) men before him, and let them testify against him, saying, ‘You cursed (barak) God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death - Note the progression (1) 2 worthless/lawless men, (2) giving false testimony and (3) stoning. Notice the Hebrew word for "cursed" is barak which is actually the word for blessed! Are you confused. As it turns out ancient Hebrew writers avoided directly writing the phrase "curse God" (qalal" - curse + God) out of reverence and to avoid being guilty of Ex 20:7, taking the name of the LORD in vain. Instead, the Hebrew writers used "barak" (most often rendered bless) as a euphemistic substitute, meaning the opposite, as in 1Ki 21:10. In other words "barak" was used euphemistically to avoid blasphemy when referring to cursing God. There is a similar use in Job 2:9 which says "Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse (barak) God and die!” John Schultz: The suggestion that the council proclaim a day of fasting makes the whole deal a godless mockery. Fasting suggests invoking God’s Name and seeking His will. Jezebel had no qualms using God for the achievement of her own evil purposes. . . Jezebel orders them to employ ‘scoundrels” to give false testimonies. The fact that they obeyed made them scoundrels themselves. The word ‘scoundrel” is the translation of the Hebrew ‘sons of Belial,” meaning ‘sons of Satan.” Worthless (wicked, Belial)(01100) beliyyaal rom belî + yaʿal: "not, without" and "to be of use, worth, or profit.") A worthless person, good for nothing to himself or others, and capable of nothing but mischief. Some feel that the word Belial can be traced to the false god Baal, and is also a term for yoke (they cast off the yoke of decency), and a term for entangling or injuring. The LXX renders it according to the context by the terms paranomos, anomia, and aphrōn, i.e. "lawless, lawlessness, witless." By the NT time, Belial had become synonymous with Satan (cf. 2 Cor. 6:15+). Usually it occurs in such expressions as "son(s) of Belial" (Deut. 13:14; Judges 19:22+; 1 Samuel 2:12; 2 Chr 13:7), a "daughter of Belial" (1 Samuel 1:16), "man or men of" (1 Samuel 25:25; 2 Samuel 16:7; 1 Kings 21:13; Proverbs 16:27), or a "worthless witness" (Proverbs 19:28). There is one use we would all do well to ponder and in the power of the Spirit affirm or declare (or pray) to be true in our life from time to time... I will set no worthless (beliyyaal) thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten (dabaq) its grip on me. (Psalm 101:3+) (MARK IT DOWN - WORTHLESS IMAGES CAN BE VERY "STICKY" IN YOUR MIND'S EYE! I AM SPEAKING ESPECIALLY TO YOU MEN AS YOU KNOW TO WHAT I AM REFERRING!) BELIYYAAL - 27X/26V - base(1), destruction(1), rascally(1), scoundrels*(1), ungodliness(1), wicked(3), worthless(18), worthless one(1). Deut. 13:13; Deut. 15:9; Jdg. 19:22; Jdg. 20:13; 1 Sam. 1:16; 1 Sam. 2:12; 1 Sam. 10:27; 1 Sam. 25:17; 1 Sam. 25:25; 1 Sam. 30:22; 2 Sam. 16:7; 2 Sam. 20:1; 2 Sam. 22:5; 2 Sam. 23:6; 1 Ki. 21:10; 1 Ki. 21:13; 2 Chr. 13:7; Job 34:18; Ps. 18:4; Ps. 41:8; Ps. 101:3; Prov. 6:12; Prov. 16:27; Prov. 19:28; Nah. 1:11; Nah. 1:15 1 Kings 21:11 So the men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them, just as it was written in the letters which she had sent them. KJV 1 Kings 21:11 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. BGT 1 Kings 20:11 καὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως αὐτοῦ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι καὶ οἱ ἐλεύθεροι οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν τῇ πόλει αὐτοῦ καθὰ ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ιεζαβελ καθὰ γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς βιβλίοις οἷς ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς αὐτούς LXE 1 Kings 21:11 And the men of his city, the elders, and the nobles who dwelt in his city, did as Jezabel sent to them, and as it had been written in the letters which she sent to them. NET 1 Kings 21:11 The men of the city, the leaders and the nobles who lived there, followed the written orders Jezebel had sent them. CSB 1 Kings 21:11 The men of his city, the elders and nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had commanded them, as was written in the letters she had sent them. ESV 1 Kings 21:11 And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, NIV 1 Kings 21:11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. NLT 1 Kings 21:11 So the elders and other town leaders followed the instructions Jezebel had written in the letters. did as Jezebel: Ex 1:17,21 23:1,2 Lev 19:15 1Sa 22:17 23:20 2Ki 10:6,7 2Ch 24:21 Pr 29:12,26 Da 3:18-25 Ho 5:11 Mic 6:16 Mt 2:12,16 Ac 4:19 5:29 1 Kings 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JEZEBEL'S EVIL PLOT BEGINS TO UNFOLD So the men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them, just as it was written in the letters which she had sent them - The implication is that the elders and nobles were aware of the evil plot and agreed to go along with it. Forgery, perjury, and murder is the plan of the day. -- Rod Mattoon William

1 Reis 21

Maclaren - SIN IS BLIND TO ITS TRUE FRIENDS AND ITS REAL FOES. “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” Elijah was the best friend he had in his kingdom. And that Jezebel there, the wife of his bosom, whom he loved and thanked for this thing, she was the worst foe that hell could have sent him. Ay, and so it is always. The faithful rebuker, the merciful inflictor of pain, is the truest friend of the wrong doer. The worst enemy of the sinful heart is the voice that either tempts it into sin, or lulls it into self-complacency...THE SIN WHICH MISTAKES THE FRIENDLY APPEAL FOR AN ENEMY, LAYS UP FOR ITSELF A TERRIBLE RETRIBUTION. Elijah comes here and prophesies the fall of Ahab. The next peal, the next flash, fulfil the prediction. There, where he did the wrong, he died. In Jezreel, Ahab died. In Jezreel, Jezebel died. That plain was the battlefield for the subsequent discomfiture of Israel. (Ahab and Elijah) F B