Once covetousness takes root in a person’s heart, he may gradually lose his sense of what is right, and his values may begin to shift. Therefore, covetousness should never be ignored or taken lightly. If it is not corrected in time, it may lead to even more serious sins. Once a desire forms in the heart, a person will often begin taking action to obtain what he wants. As the Bible warns us: “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” (Lk 21:34)
Naboth guards his vineyard — the inheritance God gave to him and his family (V1–3)
Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria. King Ahab desired the vineyard and wanted to buy it from Naboth to use as a vegetable garden. Because Naboth was faithful to God’s command concerning his inheritance, he was unwilling to exchange his land for money. This reminds us that we should carefully guard the salvation God has given us and never exchange it for temporary material enjoyment.
Ahab covets Naboth’s vineyard (V4–7)
After Naboth refused him, King Ahab returned to his palace sullen and displeased. He could not stop thinking about Naboth’s vineyard. He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat. As the Bible tells us, those who allow the love of money and covetous desires to fill their hearts can pierce themselves through with many sorrows (1 Tim 6:10).
When Queen Jezebel learned what had happened to King Ahab, she sought to please him. Jezebel reminded Ahab that he was the king of Israel and told him that she would help him obtain what he wanted. King Ahab then allowed his queen to abuse her authority in order to take Naboth’s vineyard. Treating others unjustly is displeasing to God and will bring about His judgment.
Jezebel schemes to seize Naboth’s vineyard (V8–16)
Jezebel devised a wicked scheme to have Naboth put to death. She wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with the king’s seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles of Naboth’s city. She instructed them to proclaim a fast and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then, two false witnesses were arranged to accuse Naboth of blaspheming God and the king. The people then took Naboth outside the city and stoned him to death.
When Jezebel told King Ahab that Naboth was dead, Ahab immediately went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard. The actions of this husband and wife were just as the Bible describes the deeds of the wicked: “They covet fields and take them by violence, also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.” (Micah 2:2)
God’s judgment comes upon them (17–26)
No matter what we do, we cannot escape God’s judgment. God sent His prophet Elijah to pronounce judgment upon King Ahab and Jezebel, for they had done evil in the sight of God. The Bible teaches that whoever takes another person’s life must be held accountable, and whoever sheds man’s blood will also face judgment (Lev 24:17; Gen 9:6).
Their sins affected not only themselves, but also their descendants and the people of Israel. King Ahab had become so spiritually blinded that he regarded the righteous prophet Elijah as his enemy. Influenced and stirred up by Jezebel, Ahab continued doing evil while believing that his own actions were justified.
The Bible warns us: “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.” (Prov 4:14–15) In this way, we can avoid being deceived and led into sin by the influence of the wicked.
Ahab repents and humbles himself before God (27–29)
When King Ahab heard the judgment that God pronounced through the prophet Elijah concerning the sins committed by him and Jezebel, he finally recognized the seriousness of what he had done.
He tore his clothes, fasted, put on sackcloth, lay in sackcloth, and humbled himself before God. We see that King Ahab acknowledged his wrongdoing, just as the Bible tells us: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Prov 28:13)
God is faithful and just: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1:9)
Therefore, God did not bring the announced calamity upon Ahab’s household during Ahab’s lifetime. Instead, because Ahab humbled himself before God, the judgment upon his house was delayed until the days of his son.
Conclusion
From the account of King Ahab, we learn that:
A person with a greedy heart stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper. (Prov 28:25)
We must take heed and beware of all forms of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. (Lk 12:15)
Reflection questions
Do we sometimes allow covetous desires to arise in our hearts?
Have the sinful ways and values of the world influenced the way we live?
When we make mistakes or sin, are we willing to courageously acknowledge them before God and truly repent?
