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Matthew Henry

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 21:1

After these things - This and the twentieth chapter are transposed in the Septuagint; this preceding the account of the Syrian war with Ben-hadad. Josephus gives the history in the same order. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:1

EXPOSITION THE STORY OF NABOTH . THE DOOM OF AHAB 'S HOUSE . HIS PENITENCE .— And it came to pass after these things [These words are omitted in the Vat. LXX ; which, as before remarked, transposes 1 Kings 20:1-43 . and 21. See introductory note, 1 Kings 20:1-43 .], that Naboth ["Fruit," "produce" (Gesen). Wordsworth sees in him a type of Christ, cast out of the vineyard ( Matthew 21:39 ) and slain] the Jezreelite [The Alex. LXX . here, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:1-4

Covetousness. Amongst the arguments used by Samuel to discourage the people of Israel from desiring a king, he said, "He will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive yards, even the best of them." We have in the verses before us a notable example of the truth of this forecast, understanding covetousness in a bad sense. I. DESIRE , IN THE ABSTRACT , IS NOT COVETOUSNESS . 1 . It is the principle of exchanges . 2 . But commerce is fruitful in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:1-4

First Steps in the Path of Crime. I. UNBRIDLED DESIRE . 1 . The spirit in which Ahab came . He came down to Jezreel not to present a thank offering to God for recent deliverance, nor to inquire what might be done to meet the wishes or improve the condition of the people. Had he come thus, paths of usefulness would have opened up before him, and, instead of the dark memory of guilt, he would have left behind him blessing and praise. God and man were alike shut out, and self was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:1-15

The Martyrdom of Naboth. History tells of few crimes of its kind more flagitious, more cruel and cold-blooded than this. Here we see that spectacle which one of the ancients said was dear to the gods—a just man suffering shameful wrongs with dignity and patience: we see a man because of his fidelity to God and His law judicially done to death by the representative of God, by the authority appointed to execute the Law. And just as the crime has few parallels, so has the history few equals... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:1-24

The Progress of Sin. This chapter describes one of the blackest crimes which ever blotted the page of history. The description is so graphic that we seem eyewitnesses of the tragedy, and so suggestive that we can understand the motives and feelings of the principal actors. Naboth has been blamed sometimes for refusing what appeared a reasonable request that he would sell a piece of land to his rightful king at a fair price. It is evident, however, that he was not only acting within his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 21:1

A vineyard ... in Jezreel - The name Jezreel is applied in Scripture, not merely to the town 1 Kings 18:46, but also to the valley or plain which lies below it, between Mount Gilboa and Little Hermon (2Sa 2:9; 2 Kings 9:10; Hosea 1:5; etc.).The palace of Ahab at Jezreel was on the eastern side of the city, looking toward the Jordan down the valley above described. It abutted on the town wall 2 Kings 9:30-31. Immediately below it was a dry moat. Beyond, in the valley, either adjoining the moat,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 21:1-3

1 Kings 21:1-3. Which was in Jezreel Where one of Ahab’s palaces was, as the other was in Samaria. That I may have it for a garden of herbs For a flower-garden, as some understand it. Ahab made a fair proposal for it, but the law was against Naboth’s alienating his vineyard from his family and tribe. The Lord forbid it me, &c. For God had expressly, and for divers weighty reasons, forbidden the alienation of lands from the tribes and families to which they were allotted. And... read more

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