The Tenth Sunday of Israel (CL)

1 Kings 21:1-16

Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. ² And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” ³ But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” ⁴ And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.

⁵ But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” ⁶ And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ” ⁷ And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

⁸ So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. ⁹ And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. ¹⁰ And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” ¹¹ And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, ¹² they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. ¹³ And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. ¹⁴ Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”

¹⁵ As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” ¹⁶ And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

This account is used repeatedly in the LCMS synodical Explanation to Luther’s Small Catechism. It can help illustrate the 5^th, 7^th, and 8^th Commandments. But every time I read through this account, I do not understand why Naboth is so stubborn. Why does Naboth not honor his King’s wishes and take the greater property and wealth? He would have the King indebted to him, and most certainly increase his station in life. Why does he not make a proper business deal in order to establish a greater inheritance for his children? (The context would indicate that Naboth had no heirs. All Naboth has is this vineyard.)

Just as with the Old man and his ewe Lamb that convicts King David. The story of Naboth should convict Ahab. But it is not Ahab who is in the wrong, as much as Jezebel his queen. Have you ever had something surprisingly fall into your lap? Have you ever received a gift you desired for a long time? Maybe a better question to ask is: What would you do for someone you loved? Would you be willing to lie, cheat, and kill for them?

It would be a great turn for me to say God was willing to do this for you. But that would not be true. God was willing to kill his only Son so that you may have life. But He does not lie or cheat the devil, but tells him plainly. “Satan is defeated. Death is conquered.” Jesus has claimed the Victory for each of us. He gives to us paradise the perfect eternal inheritance.