Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 21

Introduction

Overview

1 Kings 21:1, Ahab being denied Naboth’s vineyard, is grieved; 1 Kings 21:5, Jezebel writing letters against Naboth, he is condemned of blasphemy; 1 Kings 21:15, Ahab take possession of the vineyard; 1 Kings 21:17, Elijah denounces judgments against Ahab and Jezebel; 1 Kings 21:25, Wicked Ahab repenting, God defers the judgment.

Verse 1

am 3105, bc 899

after: 1 Kings 20:35-43, 2 Chronicles 28:22, Ezra 9:13, Ezra 9:14, Isaiah 9:13, Jeremiah 5:3

Jezreel: 1 Kings 18:45, Joshua 19:18, Judges 6:33, 1 Samuel 29:1, Hosea 1:4, Hosea 1:5

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 5:21 - General Joshua 7:21 - I coveted Joshua 17:16 - Jezreel 1 Kings 21:8 - the nobles 2 Kings 9:21 - the portion of Naboth Hosea 10:7 - Samaria Romans 7:7 - Thou shalt

Verse 2

Give me: The request of Ahab, at first view, appears fair and honourable. But, as he most evidentially wished Naboth to alienate it finally, which was expressly forbidden and provided against in the law of God - Leviticus 25:14-28, it was high iniquity in Ahab to tempt him to do it, and to covet it showed the depravity of his soul. Genesis 3:6, Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21, 1 Samuel 8:14, Jeremiah 22:17, Habakkuk 2:9-11, Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:9, James 1:14, James 1:15

a garden of herbs: 2 Kings 9:27, Deuteronomy 11:10, Ecclesiastes 2:5, Song of Solomon 4:15

seem good to thee: Heb. be good in thine eyes, Genesis 16:6, 1 Samuel 8:6, 1 Samuel 29:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:37 - good Joshua 7:21 - I coveted 1 Kings 21:6 - Because 1 Chronicles 21:22 - Grant Psalms 101:3 - set Micah 2:2 - they covet Zechariah 11:12 - ye think good

Verse 3

The Lord: Genesis 44:7, Genesis 44:17, Joshua 22:29, Joshua 24:16, 1 Samuel 12:23, 1 Samuel 24:6, 1 Samuel 26:9-11, 1 Chronicles 11:19, Job 27:5, Romans 3:4, Romans 3:6, Romans 3:31, Romans 6:2, Romans 6:15, Romans 7:7, Romans 7:13, 1 Corinthians 6:15, Galatians 6:14

I should give: Leviticus 25:23, Numbers 36:7, Ezekiel 46:18

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 23:17 - Be it far 1 Kings 21:4 - I will not 1 Kings 21:6 - I will not give

Verse 4

heavy: 1 Kings 20:43, Job 5:2, Isaiah 57:20, Isaiah 57:21, Jonah 4:1, Jonah 4:9, Habakkuk 2:9-12

I will not: 1 Kings 21:3, Numbers 22:13, Numbers 22:14

And he laid him: Genesis 4:5-8, 2 Samuel 13:2, 2 Samuel 13:4, Ecclesiastes 6:9, Ecclesiastes 7:8, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Ephesians 4:27, James 1:14

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 28:23 - I will 1 Kings 21:6 - I will not give Esther 5:9 - he was full Esther 5:13 - Yet all this Esther 6:12 - hasted to his house Amos 2:7 - pant Matthew 5:22 - That 2 Corinthians 7:10 - the sorrow

Verse 5

Jezebel: 1 Kings 21:25, 1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 19:2, Genesis 3:6

Why is thy spirit: 2 Samuel 13:4, Nehemiah 2:2, Esther 4:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 19:1 - Ahab 2 Kings 3:2 - and like James 3:6 - a world

Verse 6

Because: 1 Kings 21:2, Esther 5:9-14, Esther 6:12, Proverbs 14:30, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10, James 4:2-7

I will not give: 1 Kings 21:3, 1 Kings 21:4

Verse 7

Dost thou now: 1 Samuel 8:4, 2 Samuel 13:4, Proverbs 30:31, Ecclesiastes 4:1, Ecclesiastes 8:4, Daniel 5:19-21

I will give thee: 1 Kings 21:15, 1 Kings 21:16, Micah 2:1, Micah 2:2, Micah 7:3

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:14 - General 1 Samuel 24:14 - the king 1 Kings 21:25 - whom Jezebel Esther 5:14 - said Zeresh Psalms 73:8 - speak wickedly Amos 6:12 - for Revelation 2:20 - that woman

Verse 8

she wrote: 2 Samuel 11:14, 2 Samuel 11:15, 2 Chronicles 32:17, Ezra 4:7, Ezra 4:8, Ezra 4:11, Nehemiah 6:5, Esther 3:12-15, Esther 8:8-13

the elders: Numbers 11:16, Deuteronomy 16:18, Deuteronomy 16:19, Deuteronomy 21:1-9

the nobles: 1 Kings 21:1, 2 Kings 10:1-7, 2 Kings 10:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:11 - nobles Deuteronomy 1:17 - ye shall not Ruth 4:2 - the elders 1 Kings 21:12 - General 2 Kings 9:22 - the whoredoms 2 Kings 10:6 - General Esther 8:10 - in the king Jeremiah 29:25 - Because Matthew 26:59 - sought Acts 26:12 - with

Verse 9

Proclaim a fast: Genesis 34:13-17, Isaiah 58:4, Matthew 2:8, Matthew 23:14, Luke 20:47, John 18:28

on high among: Heb. in the top of

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:14 - uncircumcised Genesis 39:17 - General Exodus 32:5 - made proclamation 2 Samuel 14:30 - And Absalom's 2 Samuel 15:12 - while he offered Proverbs 7:14 - this Proverbs 18:5 - to overthrow Proverbs 24:28 - not Ecclesiastes 3:16 - General Joel 2:15 - sanctify Micah 7:3 - the great Mark 14:64 - General

Verse 10

two men: Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 26:59, Matthew 26:60, Acts 6:11

sons of Belial: Deuteronomy 13:13, Judges 19:22

Thou didst blaspheme: Some, with Parkhurst, would render the original, bairachta elohim wamailech, "Thou hast blessed the gods and Molech;" a sense, however, which seems extremely forced, and is not acknowledged by any of the ancient versions, though the LXX and Vulgate render bairachta by וץכןדחףו, benedixit, "blessed." It is no unusual thing for a word to have opposite senses. Exodus 22:28, Leviticus 24:15, Matthew 26:59-66, John 10:33, Acts 6:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:16 - General Exodus 23:1 - an unrighteous witness Leviticus 19:16 - stand Leviticus 24:11 - blasphemed Leviticus 24:16 - blasphemeth Deuteronomy 19:16 - a false witness 1 Samuel 2:12 - sons of Belial 1 Samuel 25:17 - a son of Belial 1 Samuel 30:22 - wicked 2 Samuel 16:7 - man of Belial 2 Samuel 19:21 - Shall not 2 Kings 6:32 - son of a murderer 2 Chronicles 13:7 - the children of Belial Job 1:5 - cursed Proverbs 6:19 - A false Proverbs 7:14 - this Proverbs 19:28 - An ungodly witness Isaiah 32:7 - lying Ezekiel 22:9 - men that carry tales Matthew 26:65 - He Matthew 27:31 - and led Matthew 27:32 - as Mark 14:55 - sought Luke 5:21 - blasphemies Luke 23:2 - forbidding John 8:17 - that 2 Corinthians 13:1 - In Hebrews 11:37 - stoned

Verse 11

did as Jezebel: Exodus 1:17, Exodus 1:21, Exodus 23:1, Exodus 23:2, Leviticus 19:15, 1 Samuel 22:17, 1 Samuel 23:20, 2 Kings 10:6, 2 Kings 10:7, 2 Chronicles 24:21, Proverbs 29:12, Proverbs 29:26, Daniel 3:18-25, Hosea 5:11, Micah 6:16, Matthew 2:12, Matthew 2:16, Acts 4:19, Acts 5:29

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 13:29 - servants 2 Samuel 19:21 - Shall not 2 Kings 9:33 - Throw her down 2 Kings 16:11 - built an altar Job 22:8 - But as James 2:6 - and

Verse 12

1 Kings 21:8-10, Isaiah 58:4

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 11:16 - he assigned 2 Samuel 15:12 - while he offered 2 Kings 10:20 - Proclaim Joel 2:15 - sanctify Acts 4:7 - when

Verse 13

the men of Belial: Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20, Deuteronomy 19:16-21, Psalms 27:12, Psalms 35:11, Proverbs 6:19, Proverbs 19:5, Proverbs 19:9, Proverbs 25:18, Malachi 3:5, Mark 14:56-59

blaspheme God: Job 1:5, Job 1:11, Job 2:9, Matthew 9:3, Acts 6:11

the king: Ecclesiastes 10:20, Isaiah 8:21, Amos 7:10, Luke 23:2, John 19:12, Acts 24:5

they carried him: Leviticus 24:11-16, Numbers 15:35, Numbers 15:36, Deuteronomy 13:10, Deuteronomy 21:21, Deuteronomy 22:21, Deuteronomy 22:24, Joshua 7:24, Joshua 7:25, 2 Kings 9:26, Ecclesiastes 4:1, Acts 7:57-59

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 13:13 - the children Deuteronomy 19:15 - at the mouth Judges 20:13 - children of Belial 1 Samuel 2:12 - sons of Belial 1 Samuel 25:17 - a son of Belial 1 Samuel 30:22 - wicked 2 Samuel 16:7 - man of Belial 2 Chronicles 13:7 - the children of Belial Job 31:39 - caused the owners thereof to lose their life Psalms 101:3 - wicked thing Proverbs 14:5 - General Proverbs 17:15 - that justifieth Proverbs 19:28 - An ungodly witness Ecclesiastes 7:15 - there is a just Isaiah 5:23 - take Isaiah 10:1 - them Ezekiel 34:3 - ye kill Habakkuk 1:4 - for Matthew 18:16 - that in Matthew 27:31 - and led Matthew 27:32 - as Mark 14:55 - sought John 19:17 - went Acts 7:58 - cast 2 Corinthians 13:1 - In Hebrews 11:37 - stoned

Verse 14

Naboth is stoned: 2 Samuel 11:14-24, Ecclesiastes 5:8, Ecclesiastes 8:14

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 10:8 - there came

Verse 15

Arise: 1 Kings 21:7, Proverbs 1:10-16, Proverbs 4:17

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:18 - Jezreel 2 Kings 9:7 - at the hand 2 Kings 9:21 - the portion of Naboth

Verse 16

Ahab rose up: 2 Samuel 1:13-16, 2 Samuel 4:9-12, 2 Samuel 11:25-27, 2 Samuel 23:15-17, Psalms 50:18, Isaiah 33:15, Obadiah 1:12-14, Romans 1:32, 2 Peter 2:15

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:18 - Jezreel 1 Kings 21:7 - I will give thee 2 Kings 5:24 - and bestowed Isaiah 5:8 - field Ezekiel 16:44 - As is

Verse 17

2 Kings 1:15, 2 Kings 1:16, 2 Kings 5:26, Psalms 9:12, Isaiah 26:21

Reciprocal: Matthew 18:12 - into Mark 12:12 - knew

Verse 18

which is in Samaria: 1 Kings 13:32, 2 Chronicles 22:9

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 14:6 - for I am 2 Kings 1:16 - Forasmuch 2 Kings 9:21 - the portion of Naboth Jeremiah 22:1 - Go Jeremiah 28:8 - prophesied Hosea 5:1 - O house

Verse 19

Hast thou killed: Genesis 3:11, Genesis 4:9, Genesis 4:10, 2 Samuel 12:9, Micah 3:1-4, Habakkuk 2:9, Habakkuk 2:12

In the place: This punishment, on Ahab's humiliation and repentance, was transferred from him to his son Jehoram - 1 Kings 21:29, in whom it was literally accomplished. See the parallel texts. 1 Kings 22:38, Judges 1:7, 2 Samuel 12:11, 2 Kings 9:25, 2 Kings 9:26, Esther 7:10, Psalms 7:15, Psalms 7:16, Psalms 9:16, Psalms 58:10, Psalms 58:11, Matthew 7:2

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:14 - General 2 Samuel 12:7 - Thou art 1 Kings 14:11 - that dieth 1 Kings 16:33 - did more to provoke 1 Kings 22:23 - and the Lord 2 Kings 9:21 - the portion of Naboth 2 Kings 10:10 - the Lord hath done 2 Chronicles 32:26 - so Job 20:19 - he hath violently Job 21:31 - declare Job 31:39 - caused the owners thereof to lose their life Psalms 68:23 - the tongue Psalms 94:21 - condemn Psalms 107:40 - contempt Proverbs 10:22 - he Proverbs 24:25 - them Proverbs 28:4 - but Proverbs 28:17 - General Ecclesiastes 5:8 - regardeth Isaiah 14:19 - thou Jeremiah 22:17 - to shed Jeremiah 34:6 - General Ezekiel 24:7 - her blood Ezekiel 46:18 - thrust Matthew 14:4 - General

Verse 20

Hast thou found me: 1 Kings 18:17, 1 Kings 22:8, 2 Chronicles 18:7, 2 Chronicles 18:17, Amos 5:10, Mark 12:12, Galatians 4:16, Revelation 11:10, Amos 5:10, Mark 12:12, Galatians 4:16, Revelation 11:10

thou hast sold: 1 Kings 21:25, 2 Kings 17:17, Isaiah 50:1, Isaiah 52:3, Romans 7:14

to work: 1 Kings 16:30, 2 Kings 21:2, 2 Chronicles 33:6, Ephesians 4:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 5:1 - and told Judges 16:18 - brought money 1 Samuel 13:13 - Thou hast done 1 Samuel 19:17 - mine enemy 2 Samuel 12:7 - Thou art 2 Samuel 12:13 - David 2 Kings 3:2 - but not 2 Kings 3:14 - I would not look Proverbs 9:7 - General Proverbs 15:10 - grievous Proverbs 24:25 - them Proverbs 28:4 - but Proverbs 29:1 - General Proverbs 29:10 - The bloodthirsty Ecclesiastes 5:8 - regardeth Isaiah 30:10 - say Jeremiah 15:10 - a man Jeremiah 20:10 - we shall Jeremiah 38:4 - thus Ezekiel 3:8 - General Ezekiel 14:4 - I the Lord Micah 3:2 - hate Matthew 5:12 - for so Mark 6:19 - Herodias Mark 6:20 - feared Mark 11:18 - feared Mark 14:11 - and promised Luke 1:17 - power Luke 6:23 - for in John 7:7 - because Acts 5:28 - intend

Verse 21

Behold: 1 Kings 14:10, Exodus 20:5, Exodus 20:6, 2 Kings 9:7-9, 2 Kings 10:1-7, 2 Kings 10:11-14, 2 Kings 10:17, 2 Kings 10:30

him that pisseth: 1 Samuel 25:22, 1 Samuel 25:34

him that is shut up: 1 Kings 14:10, Deuteronomy 32:36, 2 Kings 9:8, 2 Kings 9:9, 2 Kings 14:26

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:3 - will make thy house 1 Kings 21:29 - the evil in 2 Kings 10:7 - slew seventy 2 Kings 10:10 - the Lord hath done 2 Kings 21:13 - the plummet 1 Chronicles 12:1 - while he yet Job 27:15 - Those Isaiah 40:24 - they shall not be planted Jeremiah 32:18 - recompensest

Verse 22

make thine: 1 Kings 15:29, 1 Kings 16:3, 1 Kings 16:11

made Israel to sin: 1 Kings 14:16, 1 Kings 15:30, 1 Kings 15:34, 1 Kings 16:26

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:21 - General 1 Kings 11:26 - Jeroboam 1 Kings 15:26 - in his sin 2 Kings 9:8 - I will cut off 2 Kings 9:9 - like the house 2 Kings 10:11 - he left 2 Kings 10:30 - according to all that 2 Kings 23:15 - the altar Isaiah 40:24 - they shall not be planted Jeremiah 32:35 - to cause

Verse 23

Jezebel: 1 Kings 21:25, 2 Kings 9:10, 2 Kings 9:30-37

the dogs: Shocking as this must appear to minds that have been humanized by the kindly influence of Christianity, we still find similar instances in the accounts of modern travellers. Mr. Bruce says, that when at Gondar, "the bodies of those killed by the sword were hewn to pieces and scattered about the streets, being denied burial. I was miserable, and almost driven to despair, at seeing my hunting dogs, twice let loose by the carelessness of my servants, bringing into the court-yard the heads and arms of slaughtered men, and which I could no way prevent, but by the destruction of the dogs themselves."

wall: or, ditch.

Reciprocal: Joshua 17:16 - Jezreel 1 Samuel 29:1 - Jezreel 1 Kings 14:11 - that dieth 1 Kings 18:45 - Ahab 2 Kings 9:36 - This is Job 12:21 - poureth Proverbs 28:17 - General Jeremiah 15:3 - I will Jeremiah 16:4 - as dung Jeremiah 22:19 - General Jeremiah 34:20 - and their Revelation 2:20 - that woman

Verse 24

that dieth: 1 Kings 14:11, 1 Kings 16:4, Isaiah 14:19, Jeremiah 15:3, Ezekiel 32:4, Ezekiel 32:5, Ezekiel 39:18-20, Revelation 19:18

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 9:25 - the Lord Job 12:21 - poureth Proverbs 14:1 - the foolish Isaiah 5:25 - torn Jeremiah 16:4 - as dung Jeremiah 22:19 - General Jeremiah 34:20 - and their

Verse 25

But there: 1 Kings 21:20, 1 Kings 16:30-33, 2 Kings 23:25

sell himself: 1 Kings 21:20, 2 Kings 17:17, Isaiah 50:1, Isaiah 52:3, Romans 6:19, Romans 7:14

whom Jezebel: 1 Kings 21:7, 1 Kings 11:1-4, 1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 19:2, Proverbs 22:14, Ecclesiastes 7:26, Mark 6:17-27, Acts 6:12, Acts 14:2

stirred up: or, incited

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:33 - did more to provoke 1 Kings 19:1 - Ahab 1 Kings 21:5 - Jezebel 1 Kings 21:23 - Jezebel 1 Kings 22:52 - in the way 2 Kings 3:2 - but not 2 Kings 8:18 - the daughter 2 Kings 9:7 - at the hand 2 Kings 9:22 - the whoredoms 2 Kings 9:34 - this cursed woman 2 Kings 14:24 - in the sight 2 Kings 16:3 - he walked 2 Chronicles 18:1 - joined affinity 2 Chronicles 19:2 - Shouldest Esther 5:14 - said Zeresh Proverbs 14:1 - the foolish Ecclesiastes 8:12 - a sinner Jeremiah 34:14 - been sold Jeremiah 44:19 - without Daniel 4:17 - the basest Micah 6:16 - the works John 8:34 - Whosoever Acts 13:50 - the Jews Acts 17:13 - stirred Acts 21:27 - stirred

Verse 26

very abominably: 2 Chronicles 15:8, Isaiah 65:4, Jeremiah 16:18, Jeremiah 44:4, Ezekiel 18:12, 1 Peter 4:3, Revelation 21:8

according to: Genesis 15:16, Leviticus 18:25-30, Leviticus 20:22, Leviticus 20:23, Deuteronomy 12:31, 2 Kings 16:3, 2 Kings 21:2, 2 Kings 21:11, 2 Chronicles 33:2, 2 Chronicles 33:9, 2 Chronicles 36:14, Ezra 9:11-14, Psalms 106:35-39, Ezekiel 16:47

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:31 - served Baal 2 Kings 17:8 - walked Ezekiel 16:3 - Amorite Ezekiel 23:5 - Aholah Micah 6:16 - the works

Verse 27

he rent: Genesis 37:34, 2 Kings 6:30, 2 Kings 18:37, Jonah 3:6

lay in sackcloth: 2 Samuel 12:17, Job 16:15, Isaiah 22:12, Isaiah 58:5-8, Joel 1:13

went softly: Isaiah 38:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 33:4 - and no 2 Samuel 21:10 - took sackcloth 1 Kings 20:31 - put sackcloth 1 Kings 22:8 - Let not the 2 Kings 19:1 - covered 1 Chronicles 21:16 - clothed Job 42:6 - repent Psalms 35:13 - humbled Ecclesiastes 3:7 - time to rend Jeremiah 26:3 - that I Jeremiah 34:15 - ye Jeremiah 36:24 - nor rent Jeremiah 48:37 - upon the loins Daniel 6:18 - and passed Joel 2:13 - your garments Jonah 3:10 - God saw Matthew 6:16 - be Matthew 18:30 - but Matthew 27:4 - I have sinned Acts 24:25 - Felix

Verse 28

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 12:7 - the Lord

Verse 29

Seest thou: Jeremiah 7:17, Luke 7:44

Ahab: Exodus 10:3, Psalms 18:44, Psalms 66:3, Psalms 78:34-37

I will not: Psalms 86:15, Ezekiel 33:10, Ezekiel 33:11, Micah 7:18, Romans 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9

the evil in: 1 Kings 21:21-23

in his son's days: 2 Kings 9:25, 2 Kings 9:26, 2 Kings 9:33-37, 2 Kings 10:1-7, 2 Kings 10:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:5 - visiting Leviticus 26:41 - humbled 1 Kings 11:12 - in thy days 1 Kings 21:19 - In the place 1 Kings 22:53 - according to all 2 Kings 10:10 - the Lord hath done 2 Kings 10:30 - Because thou hast 2 Kings 19:1 - covered 2 Kings 22:19 - humbled 2 Chronicles 12:7 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 32:26 - days 2 Chronicles 34:28 - neither Jeremiah 26:3 - that I Jeremiah 44:10 - are not Daniel 4:27 - if it 1 Peter 5:6 - Humble