You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor. - Exodus 20:17
Good morning. In today’s message we will continue focusing on events in the life of King Ahab, ruler of the northern kingdom, Israel. This sermon is titled, “Ahab Covets Naboth’s Vineyard”. Perhaps you've heard or read this somewhat familiar passage before. It includes 4 main characters - King Ahab, Queen Jezebel, Naboth, and Elijah the prophet. This story is recorded in 1 Kings chapter 21. Let’s get started…
I. AHAB’S PLIGHT (1 Kings 21:1-7)
After 2 resounding military victories over the Aramaens, the kingdom of Israel enjoyed a brief respite of peace. Though King Ahab reigned from Samaria, he had palaces in other cities as well. There was a man named Naboth living in Jezreel who owned a vineyard next to Ahab’s palace there. Ahab approached Naboth and asked him if he might have his vineyard in order to use it as a vegetable garden due to its proximity to the palace. Ahab promised to either give Naboth an even better vineyard in its place or to buy the vineyard from him outright.
However, when presented with Ahab’s offer, Naboth declined to give or sell his vineyard to Ahab. Naboth explained that this land belonged to his ancestors and tribe, and rightly stated that the Law did not allow the transfer of land from 1 tribe to another (Leviticus 25:23; Numbers 36:7). Ahab did not have legitimate authority to take the vineyard so he went away disappointed and sorrowful. He returned to his palace where he laid in bed sulking, refusing to eat.
Queen Jezebel asked the king what had happened to cause him such distress. Ahab answered that Naboth was unwilling to sell or exchange his vineyard. Jezebel was shocked by Ahab’s weakness and said, “Aren’t you the king?”, implying that he should just confiscate it. She told him to quit crying, get out of bed, cheer up, and eat. She said that she would handle the situation and would get the vineyard for her husband.
II. JEZEBEL’S PLOT (1 Kings 21:8-16)
Jezebel wrote letters in the king’s name, sealed them with his royal seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles of Jezreel. She instructed them to proclaim a fast, a religious holiday, and to hold a ceremony with all of the prominent men in the city. Naboth was to be seated at the head of the table. However, they were to sit 2 false witnesses before him who would publicly accuse him of cursing God and the king. Based on their “testimony”, the nobles and elders were directed to take Naboth outside of the city and stone him to death (Leviticus 24:16).
When the leaders of the city received Jezebel letters, which had been written in the king’s name, they promptly obeyed. They proclaimed a fast, planted false witnesses at the grand ceremony, publicly made false allegations against Naboth, and then stoned him to death. Though not stated here, in 2 Kings 9:26 (which we will study later in this series) we learn that Naboth’s sons were stoned with him so as to wipe out his heirs. It was all an elaborate set up, orchestrated by the evil queen. After it had been done, the nobles and elders sent word to Jezebel that Naboth was dead.
Upon hearing the news, Jezebel went to her husband, King Ahab, and reported that Naboth (and his heirs) had been killed. She told him to go and take possession of the vineyard that Naboth had previously refused to give him. So Ahab arose and went down to the vineyard to take it for himself.
III. ELIJAH’S PROPHECY (1 Kings 21:17-29)
Then the word of the LORD came to the prophet Elijah and told him to go meet Ahab at the vineyard. Elijah was to confront Ahab with his sin, charging him with murdering an innocent man in order to steal his possessions. For his wickedness, the LORD would bring judgment upon Ahab. In the same place where the dogs had licked up Naboth’s blood after he’d been stoned outside the city, they would also somebody lick up Ahab’s blood.
Ahab asked Elijah why he had come to trouble him. Elijah replied that Ahab had acted wickedly and that God would soon cut off his royal line just as He had done with Jeroboam and Baasha. Because Ahab had provoked the LORD and led Israel astray, God would see to it that his male descendants were destroyed and that the throne was forever taken away from his family. Furthermore, Jezebel would die and her body would be picked over by dogs in the streets of Jezreel. Likewise, the bodies of Ahab’s household would be ravished by the dogs and birds.
Ahab was an evil, idolatrous king. To make matters worse, he was enticed to commit greater sin by his wicked and cruel wife Jezebel. Nevertheless, when Elijah pronounced this damning prophecy against him, Ahab expressed grave sorrow and remorse. The word of the LORD came to Elijah again declaring that, because Ahab had humbled himself, God’s judgment against his household would not come during Ahab’s days but rather during the days of his son. Thus, God’s judgment was postponed, but not rescinded.
CONCLUSION
This story deals with the sin of coveting. The 10th commandment states, “Thou shall not covet.” The word covet can also be translated as lust. It is an evil, carnal desire for something or someone that does not belong to you or that you have no right to long after. Coveting is an inner sin of the heart and mind that often gives birth to other outer sins such as stealing, adultery, and/or murder. It is a form of envy.
Perhaps the most well known Bible story about coveting features King David. He lustfully desired Uriah’s wife Bathsheba, which ultimately led to both adultery and murder. In the passage we read today, King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, which resulted in a conspiracy, lies, theft, and murder. Both of these passages, and many others, illustrate how coveting oftentimes is a catalyst for other sins.
Today’s message also touches on the issue of private property and eminent domain. When does the government have a legitimate right to take someone’s private property? I will concede that this is not always a cut-and-dry answer and there are often considerations that need to be made for the public good. However, in this instance, there was no compelling reason for Ahab to seize Naboth’s vineyard. He was wrong to do so. In general, the government has no right to confiscate someone’s private property unless the owner voluntarily permits them to do so, and even then they should be properly compensated for the property.
In the Garden of Eden, God held Adam accountable for his sin even though Eve enticed him. We see the same thing in this passage. God held Ahab accountable for his sin even though Jezebel was the mastermind behind it. The lesson is clear. When we are complicit with sin and freely go along with it, we bear the same level of guilt as those who originated it. For this reason, we cannot blame others (even the Devil) for our sin.
Lastly, this story is an example of how powerful people can seemingly get away with anything. They can exploit the powerless, set them up to take the fall, and abuse the justice system for their own purposes. We see this type of corruption all the time among our politicians and the wealthy elite class. It is simply naive to believe that man’s law applies equally to everyone. That said, God will hold everyone accountable. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but we can rest assured that, in His time, those who commit sin - even the rich and powerful - will face justice.
Good morning. In today’s message we will continue focusing on events in the life of King Ahab, ruler of the northern kingdom, Israel. This sermon is titled, “Ahab Covets Naboth’s Vineyard”. Perhaps you've heard or read this somewhat familiar passage before. It includes 4 main characters - King Ahab, Queen Jezebel, Naboth, and Elijah the prophet. This story is recorded in 1 Kings chapter 21. Let’s get started…
I. AHAB’S PLIGHT (1 Kings 21:1-7)
After 2 resounding military victories over the Aramaens, the kingdom of Israel enjoyed a brief respite of peace. Though King Ahab reigned from Samaria, he had palaces in other cities as well. There was a man named Naboth living in Jezreel who owned a vineyard next to Ahab’s palace there. Ahab approached Naboth and asked him if he might have his vineyard in order to use it as a vegetable garden due to its proximity to the palace. Ahab promised to either give Naboth an even better vineyard in its place or to buy the vineyard from him outright.
However, when presented with Ahab’s offer, Naboth declined to give or sell his vineyard to Ahab. Naboth explained that this land belonged to his ancestors and tribe, and rightly stated that the Law did not allow the transfer of land from 1 tribe to another (Leviticus 25:23; Numbers 36:7). Ahab did not have legitimate authority to take the vineyard so he went away disappointed and sorrowful. He returned to his palace where he laid in bed sulking, refusing to eat.
Queen Jezebel asked the king what had happened to cause him such distress. Ahab answered that Naboth was unwilling to sell or exchange his vineyard. Jezebel was shocked by Ahab’s weakness and said, “Aren’t you the king?”, implying that he should just confiscate it. She told him to quit crying, get out of bed, cheer up, and eat. She said that she would handle the situation and would get the vineyard for her husband.
II. JEZEBEL’S PLOT (1 Kings 21:8-16)
Jezebel wrote letters in the king’s name, sealed them with his royal seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles of Jezreel. She instructed them to proclaim a fast, a religious holiday, and to hold a ceremony with all of the prominent men in the city. Naboth was to be seated at the head of the table. However, they were to sit 2 false witnesses before him who would publicly accuse him of cursing God and the king. Based on their “testimony”, the nobles and elders were directed to take Naboth outside of the city and stone him to death (Leviticus 24:16).
When the leaders of the city received Jezebel letters, which had been written in the king’s name, they promptly obeyed. They proclaimed a fast, planted false witnesses at the grand ceremony, publicly made false allegations against Naboth, and then stoned him to death. Though not stated here, in 2 Kings 9:26 (which we will study later in this series) we learn that Naboth’s sons were stoned with him so as to wipe out his heirs. It was all an elaborate set up, orchestrated by the evil queen. After it had been done, the nobles and elders sent word to Jezebel that Naboth was dead.
Upon hearing the news, Jezebel went to her husband, King Ahab, and reported that Naboth (and his heirs) had been killed. She told him to go and take possession of the vineyard that Naboth had previously refused to give him. So Ahab arose and went down to the vineyard to take it for himself.
III. ELIJAH’S PROPHECY (1 Kings 21:17-29)
Then the word of the LORD came to the prophet Elijah and told him to go meet Ahab at the vineyard. Elijah was to confront Ahab with his sin, charging him with murdering an innocent man in order to steal his possessions. For his wickedness, the LORD would bring judgment upon Ahab. In the same place where the dogs had licked up Naboth’s blood after he’d been stoned outside the city, they would also somebody lick up Ahab’s blood.
Ahab asked Elijah why he had come to trouble him. Elijah replied that Ahab had acted wickedly and that God would soon cut off his royal line just as He had done with Jeroboam and Baasha. Because Ahab had provoked the LORD and led Israel astray, God would see to it that his male descendants were destroyed and that the throne was forever taken away from his family. Furthermore, Jezebel would die and her body would be picked over by dogs in the streets of Jezreel. Likewise, the bodies of Ahab’s household would be ravished by the dogs and birds.
Ahab was an evil, idolatrous king. To make matters worse, he was enticed to commit greater sin by his wicked and cruel wife Jezebel. Nevertheless, when Elijah pronounced this damning prophecy against him, Ahab expressed grave sorrow and remorse. The word of the LORD came to Elijah again declaring that, because Ahab had humbled himself, God’s judgment against his household would not come during Ahab’s days but rather during the days of his son. Thus, God’s judgment was postponed, but not rescinded.
CONCLUSION
This story deals with the sin of coveting. The 10th commandment states, “Thou shall not covet.” The word covet can also be translated as lust. It is an evil, carnal desire for something or someone that does not belong to you or that you have no right to long after. Coveting is an inner sin of the heart and mind that often gives birth to other outer sins such as stealing, adultery, and/or murder. It is a form of envy.
Perhaps the most well known Bible story about coveting features King David. He lustfully desired Uriah’s wife Bathsheba, which ultimately led to both adultery and murder. In the passage we read today, King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, which resulted in a conspiracy, lies, theft, and murder. Both of these passages, and many others, illustrate how coveting oftentimes is a catalyst for other sins.
Today’s message also touches on the issue of private property and eminent domain. When does the government have a legitimate right to take someone’s private property? I will concede that this is not always a cut-and-dry answer and there are often considerations that need to be made for the public good. However, in this instance, there was no compelling reason for Ahab to seize Naboth’s vineyard. He was wrong to do so. In general, the government has no right to confiscate someone’s private property unless the owner voluntarily permits them to do so, and even then they should be properly compensated for the property.
In the Garden of Eden, God held Adam accountable for his sin even though Eve enticed him. We see the same thing in this passage. God held Ahab accountable for his sin even though Jezebel was the mastermind behind it. The lesson is clear. When we are complicit with sin and freely go along with it, we bear the same level of guilt as those who originated it. For this reason, we cannot blame others (even the Devil) for our sin.
Lastly, this story is an example of how powerful people can seemingly get away with anything. They can exploit the powerless, set them up to take the fall, and abuse the justice system for their own purposes. We see this type of corruption all the time among our politicians and the wealthy elite class. It is simply naive to believe that man’s law applies equally to everyone. That said, God will hold everyone accountable. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but we can rest assured that, in His time, those who commit sin - even the rich and powerful - will face justice.