1 Kings 21:14

¹³And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.¹⁴Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.”

Summary

This verse depicts the corruption and abuse of power by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, as they conspire to have Naboth falsely accused and stoned to death in order to seize his vineyard. It reveals the consequences of greed, injustice, and manipulation, showing the destructive nature of sin and the importance of upholding righteousness. The narrative serves as a warning against the misuse of authority and the disregard for God's commandments, highlighting the need for repentance and accountability in the face of wickedness. Ultimately, it underscores the sovereignty of God in judging the actions of individuals and holding them accountable for their deeds.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession--Naboth's execution having been announced, and his family being involved in the same fatal sentence (Kg2 9:26), his property became forfeited to the crown, not by law, but traditionary usage (see Sa2 16:4).

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the prophet,.... Where he now was, when this word came to him, is not certain; nor what he had been employed in for some time past, since we hear nothing of him since the unction of Elisha, other prophets of lesser note being employed in messages to Ahab from time to time; perhaps Elijah, while Ahab was engaged in war with the king of Syria, spent his time in founding or reviving the schools of the prophets, and instructing and training up those that were in them for public usefulness, since we afterwards hear of them; the word that came to him is, by the Targum, called the word of prophecy, as indeed it was, foretelling the destruction of Ahab and his house: saying; as follows. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the prophet,.... Where he now was, when this word came to him, is not certain; nor what he had been employed in for some time past, since we hear nothing of him since the unction of Elisha, other prophets of lesser note being employed in messages to Ahab from time to time; perhaps Elijah, while Ahab was engaged in war with the king of Syria, spent his time in founding or reviving the schools of the prophets, and instructing and training up those that were in them for public usefulness, since we afterwards hear of them; the word that came to him is, by the Targum, called the word of prophecy, as indeed it was, foretelling the destruction of Ahab and his house: saying; as follows. 1 Kings 21:18 kg1 21:18 kg1 21:18 kg1 21:18Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria,.... Whose seat was there, his palace where he dwelt; and Benjamin of Tudela says (g), that in his time might be discerned in Samaria the palace of Ahab king of Israel, that is, some traces of it; some connect the last clause with Israel, as if the sense was, that Ahab was king over those tribes of Israel, of which Samaria was the head: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth: or "will be" by the time thou gettest thither; though the Arabic version is, he is "now" in the vineyard of Naboth: whither he is gone down to possess it; as if it was his legal inheritance. (g) Itinerar. p. 38.