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The Fall of the House of Ahab
This chapter is based on 1 Kings 21; 2 Kings 1.
The evil influence that Jezebel exercised over Ahab bore fruit in
deeds of shame and violence. “There was no one like Ahab who sold
himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his
wife stirred him up.” Strengthened in wrongdoing by Jezebel, Ahab
had followed the desires of his evil heart until selfishness controlled
him fully. He felt he had a right to whatever he wanted.
We see this dominant trait in an incident that took place while
Elijah was still a prophet in Israel. Next to the palace was a vineyard
belonging to Naboth. Ahab determined to possess it. “Give me your
vineyard,” he said to Naboth, “that I may have it for a vegetable
garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give
you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give
you its worth in money.”
Naboth’s vineyard had belonged to his ancestors, and he refused
to part with it. “The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of
my fathers to you!”
Naboth’s refusal made the selfish king ill. “Ahab went into his
house sullen and displeased. ... And he lay down on his bed, and
turned away his face, and would eat no food.” Jezebel soon learned
what had happened and was offended that anyone would refuse the
request of the king. She assured Ahab that he did not need to be
sad any longer. “You now exercise authority over Israel!” she said.
“Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the
vineyard of Naboth.”
Jezebel immediately began to carry out her wicked plan. She
wrote letters in the name of the king and sent them to the elders of
the city where Naboth lived, saying, “Seat Naboth with high honor
among the people; and seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear
witness against him, saying, ‘You have blasphemed God and the
king.’ Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die.”
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