1 Kings 21
Pastor Mark Hudson
This is an ugly, tragic, heartless event in the nation of Israel. If you ever wonder if the exile was too harsh, consider the incidents in the nation chosen by God. These events are raw, unbridled, uninhibited acts of violence and injustice. I don’t think I have to retell the story because the narrator simply recounts the story.
But, while it may seem that God was not involved, ‘the word of the Lord came to Elijah.’ God’s word to Ahab was deservedly punitive and severe because Ahad had committed a serious sin against a holy God. So, let’s look at a few of the more obvious aspects of this chapter.
One, Ahab is a passive person ‘ruled’ by Jezebel, the heartless, cruel, Cruella de Vil type of women but much worse. Ahab seems hard-hearted, lost, and far away from the reach of God’s Spirit. Ahab hates the man of God, Elijah, because Elijah tells him the truth, warns him, and will not keep quiet. To Ahab, Elijah is the ‘troubler of Israel’ in 16:17 and Ahab’s enemy in 21:20. He pouts 20:43; 21:4 But, when told what to do by Elijah (18:19-20), he acts. In chapter 21, he fulfills Jezebel’s wishes by doing her bidding. He is a man of action . . . when told to act by someone else.
Jezebel acts decisively and ruthlessly on behalf of Ahab but against the people of Israel, against Naboth, against all that is just and righteous, but more importantly, she directly opposed God. She had no idea what a tenuous position she was in. Not all bullies wear pants. Her ruthlessness is seen in v. 7 with one simple question, “Do you now govern Israel?” Her worldview is, ‘if you have the authority, use it to your advantage.’ What is authority good for if you can’t enjoy it? Leadership is a responsibility for us. For Jezebel, authority is a reward to be enjoyed. If someone is in your way, remove the obstacle any way that is necessary. Grab your joy and get the things you want any way you can.
Now we all hate Jezebel. The narrator wants us to. But notice verse 11, “the men of his (Naboth’s) city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them.” What is worse: Jezebel or these so-called “elders, men, and leaders?” This is another kind of evil. We don’t know it, but did Naboth have a wife and children? Could these elders comfort his widow? Could they look at her? Could they look his children in the eye? They ‘lived in his city’ which emphasizes their lack of courage. Twice Naboth is referred to in verse 11 (‘his’ city) because the narrator is clearly on the side of justice protecting Naboth and his choice to keep his property. Not only did these worthless leaders go along with Jezebel they were the ones who stoned him to death. After the dead was done, they reported to their boss Jezebel. Presumably, they went home to dinner to spend time with their families. The banality of evil exposed.
Elijah is called to speak to Ahab. We read of no hesitation, no questioning of God by Elijah. He simply goes. In fact, the narrator feels no need to say that Elijah went to see Ahab. Of course, Elijah obeys. Thank God Ahab had Elijah. And thank God you have had people in your life to warn you against drinking too much, gambling, swearing, driving too fast, working too much, etc. And thank God for those of you who warn gently and lovingly. Thank God for people who are good at it and for those just starting. Think of the people in your life who care enough to correct you. The best thing you can do is listen to them.
Surprisingly, Ahab humbles himself. Even after the narrator’s evaluation of Ahab in vs. 25-26. We almost dumbfounded by v. 27. What? Ahab tore his clothes and put on sackcloth, fasted, and went about dejectedly. Who would have that Ahab would respond that way? One would think he was too far gone. It is baffling that there is still some sense of right and wrong with him. Makes you think about people you know that you have written off.
Finally, what of Naboth? We find him doing nothing wrong. His only ‘mistake’ was having family property in Jezreel. And that he did not want to sell it to the King. There is nothing wrong with Ahab’s request nor is there anything wrong with Naboth’s refusal. If you ‘bought’ land in Israel, you only leased it until the year of Jubilee. To Naboth his vineyard was not property to be sold but ‘the inheritance of my fathers.’ Naboth held this property in high regard.
How quickly his life ended. His death from start to finish was a grave injustice. He was betrayed by those in his own city who knew him. Naboth knew them. I wonder if ever looked at these ‘elders’ during this process. He was betrayed by his king and Queen. He did nothing wrong. The last and only recorded words of his are in verse 3. From then on, he is silent. He is acted upon. Although innocent, his reputation in threads and soon he would be violently stoned to death.
We serve One who was lied about and humiliated and treated with the worst injustice ever inflicted upon a human being. He was killed by His own countrymen and yet the justice of God is seen in both Naboth and Christ’s death. God vindicates both of them. The triune God gets the glory in both deaths.
Dear Father, it must have pained You to see innocent Naboth killed through deceit, betrayal, and injustice. But You are pained everyday seeing the awful treatment human beings inflict on others. But no injustice will ever, ever compare to what they did to Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, You show Yourself just and the Justifier of all who have faith in Christ. May we value justice and be willing to stand up against injustice. Help us to be courageous, wise, loving, but faithful. We pray this for the sake of Your people around the world who suffer injustice and for the honor of Christ. Amen.