NABOTH’S VINEYARD
INTRODUCTION
A. (1Kg.21:1,2) Ahab was the son of Omri, whom he succeeded in death, becoming the 8th king of the northern kingdom.
a. reigned for 22 years in Samaria (874-853 B.C.)
b. had a taste for splendid architecture (ivory house)
c. while Samaria was the capital, Ahab made his royal residence at Jezreel, in the Plain of Esdrealon (55 miles north of Jerusalem)
d. lived his entire life insisting upon having his own way (Prov.12:15; Isa.53:6). His depression was marked by self-centeredness, inactivity, anxiety, pessimism, self-pity, and despair
e. married a foreigner (Sidonian) named Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre and Sidon (1Kgs.16:31)
f. most notorious of all Israel’s kings (1Kgs.21:25)
B. Jezebel appears to have been an energetic character possessing a domineering personality. Apparently, it wasn’t long after she married Ahab that she acquired complete control over him. Through her influence of Ahab he did the following:
a. established the worship of the Phoenician idols (baal worshipped prospered)
b. built a temple & an altar in Samaria & made a grove for the goddess Asherah
c. Jezebel’s dominant leadership in the home was against the divine order, as was Ahab’s refusal to assume leadership; reversal of God-assigned roles (Gen.2:16; Eph.5:22, 23)
C. Naboth is described as a “Jezreelite” since his home was in Jezreel. He appeared to
be a god-fearing man who owned a tract of land that join the city wall of Jezreel. On
this land he had a “vineyard” (grape vine field). And, it was this field that King
Ahab wanted to buy or trade for, since it joined residence. But Naboth refused to
sell saying, ““The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”
a. he had inherited it from his father & no Israelite could lawfully sell his property to another tribe (Lev.25:23; Nu.36:7) - that should have ended the matter
b. technically, all land was the Lord’s, who granted it in perpetuity to each Israelite tribe and family (Lev. 25:23–28). Accordingly, the property belonged to Naboth (Num. 36:2–9). Even the king was obliged to obey the law
c. law, Ahab attempted to acquire property to which he wasn’t entitled
d. when the Bible teaches something is wrong, that should be the end of the matter
I. THE STEALING OF NABOTH’S VINEYARD
A. (1Kgs.21:4) Ahab’s behavior over Naboth’s refusal to sell the vineyard was typical of a self-centered, spoiled child. But Ahab was not a child!
a. “selfish ambitions” is classified as a work of the flesh (Gal.5:20)
b. Christians are admonished not to do anything through “selfish ambitions” (Phil.2:3)
B. (1Kg.21:5-14) Jezebel came from a background where kings ruled absolutely. She grew up living under the “Iron Rule.” So she had no reservations taking Naboth’s vineyard.
a. she wrote official letters in the name & seal of the king to the (abused her role)
b. Jezebel’s plot involved the city leaders proclaiming a fast, implying the city had come under a curse due to some unknown sin
c. during a meeting (likely to discuss the curse) Naboth, a respected citizen, was to be given a prominent seat with no suspicion that he was being setup & 2 witness (scoundrels) were to rise up & charge Naboth with blasphemy against God & the king – “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people” Ex.22:28)
d. not wanting their community of be under a divine curse, the people would be anxious to fasten the blame on someone & stoned him to death (Naboth’s sons were stoned to death with him (see 2 Kin. 9:26), preventing any successor of Naboth from seeking to undo the illegal land seizure)
e. city leaders carried out the Jezebel’s wicked plan (leaders obviously were corrupt & afraid of Jezebel)
f. property of people guilty of treason must have gone to the crown
C. (1Kgs.21:15,16) Ahab appears to have had no remorse over the actions carried by out by his wife. After all, he got what he wanted & that’s what counted to him.
a. we want our way or bust
b. we have become a more selfish society (this why divorce has sky-rocketed)
II. THE DIVINE CURSE FALLS UPON AHAB & JEZEBEL
A. (Heb.2:2) Ahab & Jezebel had innocent blood dripping from their hands. They had stolen what belonged to another & now God is going to pronounce His curse upon them (1Kgs.21:17-24).
a. Ahab had shed blood & his blood will be shed (1Kgs.22:34-38)
b. his dynasty will end & his posterity – 70 sons (2Kgs.10:17)
c. Jezebel will die an unpleasant death & not be honored with burial (2Kgs.9:30-37)
a. dogs would devour her
b. her death would occur in the “portion” of Jezreel (cultivated space or portion of land
outside the wall of the city
c. body of Jezebel would be as dung upon the face of the ground
d. fragments of the body would be so scattered that no burial could take place
B. (Heb.2:2; Gal.6:7,8) As you sow, so shall you reap!
CONCLUSION
(Heb.2:3; 10:28-31) If Ahab & Jezebel did not escape God’s judgment under Moses’
Law, we can be sure that whoever violates Christ’s Law will not escape!