Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 21

Verses 1-29

Naboth’s Vineyard

1. After these things] The LXX places this chapter after 1 Kings 19, and so prevents the separation of 1 Kings 20, 22, which are closely connected.

Jezreel] in the plain of Esdraelon.

3. The inheritance of my fathers] cp. Leviticus 25:23; Numbers 36:7, Numbers 36:8.

8. Unto the elders.. nobles] The administration of justice rested with the chief men of each locality: cp. Deuteronomy 19:12; Deuteronomy 21:2.

9. Proclaim a fast] perhaps intended as a public act of humiliation for Naboth’s alleged crime (cp. 1 Samuel 7:6), but in any case calculated to draw the people together. Set Naboth on high] perhaps equivalent to placing him at the bar of justice, but Josephus takes it to mean that he was given a position of honour as being of illustrious family.

10. Set two men] The testimony of two witnesses is required by the law in Deuteronomy 17:6. Sons of Belial] RM ’sons of worthlessness’: cp. Deuteronomy 13:13; 1 Samuel 2:12. Blaspheme] RV ’curse’: cp. Exodus 22:28; Leviticus 24:16; Carry him out] Jezebel had no doubt that the evidence of the perjured witnesses would be accepted.

15. Take possession] Presumably the property of one who was executed as a criminal passed to the crown.

18. Behold.. vineyard] The details of the meeting between the king and the prophet are given somewhat differently in 2 Kings 9:26.

19. In the place, etc.] Naboth must have been executed just outside Jezreel (1 Kings 21:13), but the fulfilment of the prediction respecting Ahab took place at Samaria (1 Kings 22:38) on the other hand, the dead body of Ahab’s son Jehoram was actually cast ’into the portion of the field of Naboth’: see 2 Kings 9:25.

23. The dogs.. Jezebel] For the fulfilment of the prediction see 2 Kings 9:36, 2 Kings 9:37. The wall] 2 Kings 9:10 has ’the portion’ (i.e. the district).

26. Amorites] here used for the heathen inhabitants of Canaan generally: see on Genesis 10:16; Joshua 24:18.

27. Went softly] i.e. went quietly, as one who was humbled and penitent.

29. I will not bring, etc.] The judgment incurred by Solomon had been postponed (1 Kings 11:12) for his father’s sake. In Ahab’s case the threatened penalty was mitigated in consideration of his repentance.