Naboth’s Vineyard

In Jezreel, Naboth owns a vineyard next to the palace of King Ahab. Ahab wants to make it a garden of herbs and offers a better vineyard in exchange, or money. Naboth refuses: “The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee!” The king, sullen and angry, lies down on his bed, turns his face away, and will not eat. His wife Jezebel promises, “I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth.” She writes letters in Ahab’s name, seals them with the king’s seal, and orders the elders to proclaim a fast, to set up two false witnesses against Naboth, and then to stone him. It is all carried out, and Ahab goes down to take possession of the vineyard. The LORD then sends Elijah: “Hast thou killed, and also taken possession?” Ahab humbles himself; God postpones the disaster to his son’s days.