1 Kings 21:1-29
Q.1. Was it reasonable for Naboth to refuse to sell his property to King Ahab? – (1 Kgs.21:1-6)
After Israel conquered the Promised Land, Joshua and Eleazar the priest apportioned the land to the twelve tribes (Josh.14:1-5; 19:51). Also, within the tribal land, every family was given title to their own portion of the land, which was to be passed on from generation to generation. That inheritance could not to be sold permanently. It reverted back to the original family in the Year of Jubilee – The land moreover shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine … Thus, every piece of your property, you shall provide for the redemption of the land (Lev.25:23-24). Therefore, Naboth could not justifiably sell his portion of land to King Ahab. He said – The Lord forbid me that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers (1 Kgs.21:3). As king, Ahab should have read and heeded the commands of Moses (Deut.17:18-19). Instead hesulked and reported this to his evil wife, Jezebel (1 Kgs.21:4-6).
Q.2. How did Queen Jezebel remove the obstacle standing in the way of Ahab’s greed? – (1 Kgs.21:7-16)
Queen Jezebel’s attitude was that ‘might is right’. She assured Ahab that she would get him Naboth’s family land (1 Kgs.21:7). In a most deceitful way, she conspired to have Naboth murdered. She proclaimed a fast and had Naboth seated in a place of prominence. She set up two false witnesses who claimed that Naboth had cursed both God and the king (1 Kgs.21:8-13). Consequently, the blameless Naboth was stoned to death, and Ahab took possession of the land he had craved (1 Kgs.21:13-16).
Q.3. Did Ahab and Jezebel escape justice? What were the consequences of murdering Naboth? (1Kgs.21:17-24)
Ahab got his land but incurred the wrath of God. God sent Elijah to confront the guilty king, who challenged the prophet – Have you found me, O my enemy? … Elijah responded – I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord (1 Kgs.21:20). He then delivered a devastating message of extermination on Ahab’s offspring – Behold, I will bring evil upon you, and will utterly sweep you away, and will cut off from Ahab every male, both bond and free in Israel (1 Kgs.21:21). This was his consequences for Naboth’s murder – and because you have made Israel sin (1 Kgs.21:22). Jezebel would also be cut off ignominiously (1Kgs.21:23). We may manipulate and deceive other the people, but we cannot escape the repercussions from God for our evil ways.
Q.4. What kind of a man was King Ahab? What lesson do we learn from this story? – (1 Kgs.21:25-29)
Ahab was a weak, moody king (1 Kgs. 20:43; 21:4, 25). The Bible records – Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel, his wife incited him. He acted abominably in following idols, just as the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the sons of Israel, had done (1 Kg.21:25-26). Elijah and the sons of the prophets were well known to Ahab. At this point, Ahab did humble himself before the Lord, and thus stave off the immediate judgment foretold (1 Kgs.21:27-29). This shows us that the Lord does not easily give up on someone. Because God is merciful, even Ahab got a reprieve (1 Kgs.21:29).