Welcome to Week Seventeen of Desiring the Kingdom, 1 Kings chapter 21, and the story of Naboth and his vineyard. This week’s chapter is bookended by elements that any reasonable observer would label unfair. What happens to Naboth certainly isn’t fair and you will likely find (spoiler alert!) the Lord’s decision to spare Ahab from immediate punishment at the end was unfair as well. In between we will see a cast of characters who personify entitlement, ruthlessness, and cowardice.
It’s quite a chapter! Let’s get started.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Doing the Right Thing
Observe
Meet Naboth, who by all indications is an upright guy. He appears to do everything right. The refusal to sell his ancestral land most likely shows his commitment to Yahweh. Israelites believed that the Lord had given them the land of Canaan and in fact land was not supposed to even pass from one family to another. Or, if it did, in the Year of Jubilee it was expected to be returned to the previous owner. Naboth was quite probably one of the 7000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal. Yet still, a very bad thing was about to happen to this apparently good man.
1 Kings 21:1-3
Naboth’s Vineyard
21 Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 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.” 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”
Leviticus 25:23
Redemption of Property
23 “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.
Numbers 36:7
7 The inheritance of the people of Israel shall not be transferred from one tribe to another, for every one of the people of Israel shall hold on to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.
Ezekiel 46:18
18 The prince shall not take any of the inheritance of the people, thrusting them out of their property. He shall give his sons their inheritance out of his own property, so that none of my people shall be scattered from his property.”
Job 1:1
Job’s Character and Wealth
1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
Job 1:8-12
8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Job 2:3-6
3 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” 4 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”
Today is a difficult meditation. It isn’t easy to consider the fact that sometimes bad things happen to good people. “That’s not fair!” we say, and rightly so. It isn’t fair that someone who does things the right way suffers loss. Our related scriptures include verses from the book of Job. Job’s story also has a lot of things happening that don’t seem fair and in the end it seems like God doesn’t give Job any reason or explanation (Job is never told about the exchange between the Lord and Satan, which might have made it easier for him to accept the hardships he faced). God’s answer was to remind Job of who God is. And that’s where we wind up with Naboth. A very bad, very unfair thing is about to happen to him. A lot of us can identify with that, either for ourselves or on behalf of someone else. As hard as it is to hear, God does things and arranges things to bring glory to himself, and even when those things aren’t fair to us, they are still good if they bring glory to God.
- Why do you think we are so insistent that life should treat us fairly?
- Did our ancestors feel this way or is the desire for fairness something new, relatively speaking?
- Is the desire for fairness wrong?
- What example can you give of something unfair that wound up bringing glory to God?
- How did the unfairness of the situation affect the outcome?
Dear Lord, it’s question one in the catechism. What is the chief and highest end of man? To glorify you and enjoy you forever. So often I think about my purpose in terms of what I can accomplish, so keep it always in my mind that my purpose for being here is to bring you glory, no matter what that takes. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Day 2
Entitled And Childish
Observe
Ahab takes front and center again. It’s difficult to imagine a more entitled individual. While it’s almost certain that his offer to Naboth was fair in its terms, the very idea that someone would insist on their rights rather than give him what he wanted sent Ahab into a tailspin. He ran to his room, threw himself on his bed, pouted, and refused to eat. (Apparently the king of Israel was a three year-old.)
1 Kings 21:4-7
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.
5 But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” 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 Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
Exodus 16:3
3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Numbers 11:4-6
4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”
Luke 20:46
46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,
Philippians 2:6-8
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Matthew 16:24
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
Philippians 4:11
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Ahab came by his entitlement honestly (if one can say such a thing). The Israelites cried out to God from their bondage in Egypt, but after God set them free, these same Israelites complained about having to eat manna instead of the pots of meat they had back in Egypt. Many Jews in Jesus’ day had an idea they were entitled to God’s blessings by virtue of the fact they were Jews (something John the Baptist spoke against, see Matthew 3:9). The Scribes and the Pharisees felt entitled to be seated in positions of honor. To feel entitled is to think of yourself more than others. Notice how Ahab answered Jezebel when she asked why he was pouting? He didn’t tell her that Naboth didn’t want to part with his ancestral holdings, he just said “Naboth won’t give me his vineyard.” An entitled mindset is 180 degrees opposite from our model, Jesus, who gave up his divine privileges to come live among us and die on the cross in order to redeem us. It is abundantly clear from the writings of the apostles in the New Testament that Christian virtues include working for what you have and being content with whatever you get.
- Who benefits if the followers of Jesus develop an entitled mindset?
- How would it affect the work of the church and the spread of the gospel?
- What are some practical things you can do to ward off having a mindset of entitlement?
Heavenly Father, your word is clear. Thinking of myself ahead of others, or worse, not thinking of others at all is a great evil. God I ask for a spirit of true humility, that I should not think more of myself, or think of myself more often, than what is right. Help me always put you first, others second, and myself last. I believe you will meet all my needs. I offer this prayer in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 3
Ruthless And Vicious
Observe
Jezebel’s solution to Ahab’s temper tantrum is ruthless. She’ll have Naboth killed so Ahab can have the vineyard he wants for his vegetable garden, and she does so in a way that attempts to deflect suspicion by connecting it to a religious institution. She tells the elders and leaders of the city to call for a fast, which is the response they would make to a crisis resulting from angering the Lord. If they identified someone who they believed was responsible for this situation (say, by cursing God and the king), they would take them outside the city and stone them to death in an attempt to appease God’s judgment.
1 Kings 21:8-10
8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. 9 And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. 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.”
Exodus 22:28
28 “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
Leviticus 24:10-16
Punishment for Blasphemy
10 Now an Israelite woman’s son, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the people of Israel. And the Israelite woman’s son and a man of Israel fought in the camp, 11 and the Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the Name, and cursed. Then they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. 12 And they put him in custody, till the will of the Lord should be clear to them.
13 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 14 “Bring out of the camp the one who cursed, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. 16 Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
Luke 6:36
36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Proverbs 14:21
21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
Micah 6:8
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Matthew 5:7
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
God of All Comfort
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Ruthless behavior is (just as entitlement was) the exact opposite of how the Bible says we should live, which is to have mercy on and show compassion to others. It isn’t enough to just return to a neutral position, we who have received mercy and compassion from God are called by God to show that same mercy and compassion toward others. Jezebel’s wickedness in her ruthless plot is made even worse by her attempt to corrupt Israelite religious practices to carry it out.
- In what situations do you find it easy to show mercy and compassion to others? In what situations do you find it hard?
- Paul wrote to the Corinthians that they (and by extension us) should comfort others in the same way that God has comforted us. How would you say God has comforted you?
Dear God, I thank you so much for the mercy you have shown me, and for your great compassion on me. Create in me a compassionate heart, God, let me see the condition of those facing trouble, give me insight into their circumstances and how I might be your hands and feet to bring comfort, and eventually the gospel. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 4
Cowardly And Frightened
Observe
The elders and leaders of the city know what’s going on here; the instructions from Jezebel were quite clear. But they are too cowardly to stand up to her, or even to warn Naboth to flee (which would have cost him his land but spared his life). Instead, in their cowardice, they do exactly as they have been told and Naboth is killed. 2 Kings 9:26 tells us that not only Naboth was killed, but his sons were killed also, so there would be no heirs available to claim the land.
1 Kings 21:11-16
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, 12 they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. 13 And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”
15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, 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 as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
2 Kings 9:26
26 ‘As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares the Lord—I will repay you on this plot of ground.’ Now therefore take him up and throw him on the plot of ground, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”
Joshua 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
2 Timothy 1:7
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Proverbs 28:1
28 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
1 John 4:16-19
16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.
It is reasonable to assume that the elders and leaders of the city obeyed Jezebel’s wicked command because they were afraid of what might happen to them if they refused. After all, no one (except Naboth, it seems) says no to the king (and it costs Naboth his life). The dictionary definition of a coward is someone who lacks the courage to do a difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant thing. The Lord does have patience with us; Jesus showed great kindness in restoring Peter after Peter had let fear get the best of him, driving him to deny that he knew Jesus on the night when Jesus was arrested. Yet the Bible has plenty to say about not being fearful and showing courage. In order to show courage and stand firm for what is right, we must cast out fear. John says the key to casting out fear is knowing and believing the love God has for us, from which we can take confidence.
- What causes you to fear?
- How do you think a deep and experiential knowledge of God’s love drives away fear?
- What would you say is the most courageous thing you have ever done?
Heavenly Father, your love for me is wonderful. I am so grateful that it is constant, according to your will and good pleasure, having nothing to do with whether I deserve it. Because I don’t deserve it, no one does. I want to experience your love in an unmistakable way, so I can have the confidence to walk in your ways boldly. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Day 5
Condemnation and Repentance
Observe
The word of the Lord comes to Elijah and sends him to confront Ahab and pronounce judgment on him. Elijah does precisely that and you will be forgiven if you speculate that he might have enjoyed the moment just a bit. Ahab’s reaction to the judgment the Lord pronounces on him is to repent, dramatically.
1 Kings 21:17-29
The Lord Condemns Ahab
17 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 18 “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. 19 And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.”’”
20 Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. 21 Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. 22 And I 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 anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin. 23 And of Jezebel the Lord also said, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.’ 24 Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat.”
Ahab’s Repentance
25 (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. 26 He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)
27 And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. 28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”
The end of this chapter and story is a bookend of unfairness with its beginning. What happened to Naboth was definitely not fair, and don’t you also want to see Ahab get what’s coming to him here? We’ve all seen the movie a hundred times over. The bad guy gets it in the end! But that isn’t how God works. He doesn’t follow a script. Ahab is acting true to his character, of course. He showed no remorse or concern when it was his people facing drought and famine (it is a certainty that if there was water and food anywhere, there was water and food at the king’s palace). As long as it doesn’t affect him, Ahab isn’t interested in what the Lord might do. But now that God’s judgment is fixed on him, Ahab suddenly takes things seriously. Despite his selfish motives and despite the fact that nothing about his actions indicates that he has suddenly become a devoted follower of Yahweh, God is still pleased with Ahab humbling himself and defers the judgment until Ahab’s son Joram is king. God’s purpose is to bring glory to himself, not satisfy our desire for fair treatment (or well-deserved judgment, as the case might be).
- What has God caused or allowed that you just can’t understand?
- How was God glorified by delaying Ahab’s judgment?
Dear God, I confess that it is very difficult to accept that life isn’t always fair. From childhood, I am taught that good things come to those who deserve and work hard for them, and the bad guys are always punished. But that’s just not true. Let me move past my limited perspective and see how much better it is just to do everything for your glory. Because you alone are worthy! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.