SUMMARY OF 1 KINGS 21
King Ahab wants a vineyard that Naboth owns. When Naboth refuses to sell it, citing God’s laws against selling the Promised Land, Ahab sulks. He tells his wife Jezebel about it. She hatches a plot to kill Naboth by declaring a day of fasting and having two scondrels testify that Naboth has cursed God and the king. Naboth is stoned to death.
The word of the Lord comes to Elijah for King Ahab. Since King Ahab has murdered a man and seized his property, he will die. King Ahab humbled himself before the Lord, so God postpones hid judgment till the days of his son.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 5, Day 5: 1 Kings 21
14a) Ahab is childish. He pouts and storms around when he doesn’t get his way, refusing to eat.
b) Jezebel abuses her power and uses evil ways to get what she wants.
c) Naboth upholds the laws of God and refuses to go against them, even at the request of a king.
15a) He sends a word through Elijah for Ahab. He condemns Ahab and his lineage to death.
b) King Ahab tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. He must have been sincere or God would have seen through it and followed through with His judgment. I think he was sincere at this moment, but as we’ve seen, he’ll fall back into his old ways again.
16a) He postpones Ahab’s judgment when he sees he is repentant.
b) It was a good week. I spent some quality time with my daughters and did the Lord’s work.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 5, Day 5: 1 Kings 21
This is an example of how sometimes there is no end to evil people’s evil.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 5, Day 5: 1 Kings 21
Every Israelite had a right to possess a piece of the Promise Land, which not even a king coule legally usurp. In fact, selling the land broke a law God had given Moses. Leviticus 25:15, 25:23, 25:25; Numbers 36:7; Ezekiel 46:18.
From 2 Kings 9:26 it is likely that the entire family of Naboth was murdered so no heirs could claim his property. Ahab seized the land anyway.
Note that Ahab is held responsible for the murder and theft since his is the head of the household. Note Elijah is sent, probably one of the few courageous enough to tell the king his judgment.
Ahab will have his blood licked, just in Samaria instead (1 Kings 22:38) Ahab’s son, Jehoram, receives this punishment 2 Kings 9:25,
The judgment was severe: his children would not inherit the thrown.
God’s judgments against us are always invitations to repent, humble oneself, and turn to God for mercy.
God always wants to show mercy and compassion on His children. He gives it freely to the undeserving when people humbly repent.
Great Items for Bible Study (And Fun Fall Reads, Too!)
*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.