E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 21:9
on high: i.e. in a conspicuous place; or, perhaps, before the bar of justice. read more
on high: i.e. in a conspicuous place; or, perhaps, before the bar of justice. read more
1 Kings 21:9. Proclaim a fast— It was always usual; upon the approach of any great calamity, or the apprehension of any national judgment, to proclaim a fast. Jezebel orders such a fast to be observed, the better to conceal her design against Naboth: for by this means she intimated to the people, that they had some accursed thing among them, which was ready to bring down the vengeance of God upon their city; and that therefore it was their business to enquire into all those sins which provoked... read more
9. Proclaim a fast, c.—Those obsequious and unprincipled magistrates did according to orders. Pretending that a heavy guilt lay on one, or some unknown party, who was charged with blaspheming God and the king and that Ahab was threatening vengeance on the whole city unless the culprit were discovered and punished, they assembled the people to observe a solemn fast. Fasts were commanded on extraordinary occasions affecting the public interests of the state (2 Chronicles 20:3 Ezra 8:21; Joel... read more
Ahab’s disregard for Yahweh’s authority 21:1-16Even though Jezebel was behind the murder of Naboth, God held her husband Ahab responsible (1 Kings 21:19). Jezebel’s evil influence over her husband stands out in this story. [Note: Alexander Rofe, "The Vineyard of Naboth: The Origin and Message of the Story," Vetus Testamentum 38:1 (January 1988):102.] Ahab was willing to murder a godly Israelite to obtain a mere vegetable garden."A vineyard, like an olive-orchard, is not just land that may have... read more
Naboth’s Vineyard1. 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... read more
(9) Proclaim a fast.—This might be only to cover all that was to be so foully done with a cloak of religious observance, or, perhaps more probably, to imply that some secret sin had been committed, which would draw down vengeance on the whole city, and so to prepare for the false accusation. There is a like ambiguity as to the explanation of the command, “set Naboth on high,” as either an exaltation of pretended honour, or the “lifting up his head” (Genesis 40:20) for accusation. It may be... read more
NABOTH’S VINEYARD1 Kings 21:1-29"The triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless is but for a moment."- Job 20:5"If weakness may excuse, What murderer, what traitor, parricide, Incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it? All wickedness is weakness."- Samson Agonistes. The chief glory of the institution of prophecy was that it rightly estimated the supremacy of the moral law. The prophets saw that the enforcement of one precept of righteousness involved more true religion than... read more
CHAPTER 21Naboth’s Vineyard 1. Naboth’s refusal (1 Kings 21:1-4 ) 2. Jezebel’s wicked deed (1 Kings 21:5-16 ) 3. Elijah pronounces divine judgment (1 Kings 21:17-24 ) 4. Ahab’s wickedness and confession (1 Kings 21:25-27 ) 5. The LORD’s mercy (1 Kings 21:28-29 ) No comment is needed on the story of Naboth’s vineyard. Jezebel, the wicked, and Ahab’s submission to her was his ruination. On her Satanic suggestion one of the most wicked deeds recorded in Bible history is done. Naboth is... read more
21:9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a {d} fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:(d) For then they used to enquire of men’s faults: for no one could truly fast if he was a notorious sinner. read more
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:1-29
Naboth’s vineyard (21:1-29)The events so far recorded of Ahab show that his religious, military and trade policies were all contrary to God’s will. The story of his seizure of Naboth’s vineyard shows that he was equally ungodly in the matter of common justice. Ahab at first made an honest offer to buy Naboth’s vineyard. Naboth refused, as land inherited from ancestors was an Israelite’s most valued possession (21:1-4). Jezebel therefore arranged to have Naboth falsely accused and executed.... read more