1 Kings 21:1-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 21:1-4

Here is, 1. Ahab coveting his neighbour's vineyard, which unhappily lay near his palace and conveniently for a kitchen-garden. Perhaps Naboth had been pleased that he had a vineyard which lay so advantageously for a prospect of the royal gardens, or the vending of its productions to the royal family; but the situation of it proved fatal to him. If he had had no vineyard, or it had lain obscure in some remote place, he would have preserved his life. But many a man's possessions have been his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 21:5-16

Nothing but mischief is to be expected when Jezebel enters into the story?that cursed woman, 2 Kgs. 9:34. I. Under pretence of comforting her afflicted husband, she feeds his pride and passion, and blows the coals of his corruptions. It became her to take notice of his grief and to enquire into the cause of it, 1 Kgs. 21:5. Those have forgotten both the duty and affection of the conjugal relation that interest not themselves in each other's troubles. He told her what troubled him (1 Kgs.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:1

And it came to pass, after these things ,.... After the two battles with the king of Syria, in which Ahab was victorious, and after he had let Benhadad, a blasphemer, and injurious to him, go free: that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel ; of which place See Gill on Hosea 1:5 or "who was in Jezreel"; that is Naboth, for the vineyard was in Samaria, 1 Kings 21:18 . hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria ; that being the metropolis of the kingdom of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:2

And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs ,.... For a kitchen garden to produce eatables of the vegetable kind for his household, or for a flower garden; and perhaps for both, as Kimchi observes, it being customary to have such in court yards, or behind the house; perhaps he might take his notion of an herb garden from his neighbours the Syrians, who were very diligent and laborious in cultivating their gardens, as Pliny F26 Nat... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:3

And Naboth said to Ahab, the Lord forbid it me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. The inheritances of families were not to be alienated to another family, or tribe, nor even to be sold, unless in extreme poverty, and then to return at the year of jubilee, Leviticus 25:23 . Now Naboth was a man in good circumstances, and under no necessity of selling his vineyard; and, if he sold it, he might reasonably conclude, it becoming a part of the royal demesnes, would never... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:4

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased ,.... Just in the same humour he was after the prophet had delivered his message to him, 1 Kings 20:43 , where the same words are used as here: because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him, for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers , neither by way of exchange nor of purchase: and such a denial he could not bear, since it looked like treating him with contempt, and taxing him with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:5

But Jezebel his wife came unto him, and said, why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? She perceived he was low spirited, and supposed he had met with something that had ruffled him, and made him so uneasy that he could not eat his food; and she desired to know what it was, that she might relieve him if possible. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:6

And he said, because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, give me thy vineyard for money ,.... Sell it him at his own price: or else, if it please thee ; if he liked it better: I will give thee another vineyard for it; as good, or better; and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard ; he represents this answer as surly and ill natured, and as the effect of obstinacy, concealing the reason Naboth alleged for his denial. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:7

And Jezebel his wife said unto him, dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel ?.... Art thou not king of Israel? canst thou not do as thou pleasest? hast thou not power to oblige a subject to obey thy commands, and especially in such a trifling matter as parting with a vineyard, and that upon the most reasonable terms? thou hast too much demeaned thyself as a king; thou oughtest to have exerted thy kingly power and authority, and demanded it from him; the Targum is, "thou now shalt... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:8

So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal ,.... He giving her leave, no doubt, to take his seal; though she might not communicate her scheme to him, lest he should object to it: and sent the letters unto the elders, and to the nobles that were in his city dwelling with Naboth : to the chief magistrates of the city of Jezreel, where Naboth dwelt. read more

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