Naboth's Vineyard

Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, next to King Ahab's palace. Ahab asked to buy it or trade it for a better vineyard, because he wanted it for a garden near his house. But Naboth would not give up his family inheritance.

Ahab went home sullen and angry. He lay on his bed, turned his face away, and would not eat. When Jezebel asked what was wrong, he told her that Naboth had refused his request. Jezebel told Ahab to get up and eat, and she said she would give him Naboth's vineyard.

Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal. She sent them to the elders and nobles in Naboth's city. The letters told them to proclaim a fast, set Naboth in a prominent place, and bring in two wicked men to accuse him. After the false charge, Naboth was taken outside the city and killed with stones.

When Jezebel heard that Naboth was dead, she told Ahab to take possession of the vineyard. So Ahab went down to claim it. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, sending him to meet Ahab there. Elijah announced God's judgement on Ahab for killing and taking possession, and he also spoke judgement against Jezebel and Ahab's house.

When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, wore sackcloth, fasted, and went about in sorrow. Then the Lord spoke to Elijah again and said that Ahab had humbled himself. Because of that, the disaster would not come in Ahab's own days, but in his son's days. What do you notice about how God saw both Ahab's evil and his humbling of himself?