And he did very abominably in following idols ,.... Which were abominable to the Lord; "dunghill gods", as the Tigurine version: according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel ; meaning the seven nations that formerly inhabited Canaan, but were driven out for their sins, to make way for the children of Israel, of which the Amorites were one, and here put for all the rest. read more
Guilt and Mercy. I. To ENJOY THE FRUITS OF SIN IS TO TAKE ITS GUILT . "Hast thou killed?" etc. It is not said that Ahab knew of the plot. The plain inference is that he did not. Jezebel wrote to the elders, and to her the tidings were sent that the deed was done. But if Ahab did not know before, he knew after. Knowing how it had been procured he nevertheless received it, and heard as he stood there the word of the Lord: "Hast thou killed , and also taken... read more
Ahab's Repentance. After the terrible sentence pronounced by Elijah upon Ahab for his enormities follows this account of his repentance. The record teaches— I. THAT THERE IS REPENTANCE FOR THE VILEST . 1. Ahab answered this description . 2 . Yet Ahab took God's message to heart . 3 . He humbled himself accordingly . II. THAT THERE IS MERCY FOR THE PENITENT . 1 . God observed the repentance of Ahab . 2 . He called the attention... read more
And he did very abominably in following idols [Heb. to go after the idols . For the last word see on 1 Kings 15:12 ], according to an things as did the Amorites. [Heb. the Amorite—the word is always singular—here put as a nomen generale for the seven nations of Canaan. Cf. Genesis 15:16 ; 2 Kings 21:11 ; Ezekiel 16:8 ; Amos 2:9 , Amos 2:10 . Strictly the term Amorite, i.e; Highlander, is in contrast with Canaanite, i.e; dwellers in the lowlands ; see Numbers... read more
The Amorites appear here as representatives of the old Canaanite nations (Genesis 15:16 note). It seems to be implied here that their idolatries were in the main identical with those of the Phoenicians which Ahab had adopted. read more
1 Kings 21:25-26. There was none like unto Ahab Among all the kings of Israel who had been before him. Whom Jezebel his wife stirred up This is added to show that temptations to sin are no excuse to the sinner. He did very abominably in following idols, &c. There was no abomination which the people of Canaan committed, (here called the Amorites, according to their ancient name, Genesis 15:16,) which Ahab did not imitate. read more
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
idols = filthy idols. Compare Leviticus 26:30 . read more
Ahab’s judgment for his rebellion against Yahweh 21:17-29Again God told Elijah to "go" (1 Kings 21:18; cf. 1 Kings 17:3; cf. 1 Kings 17:9; 1 Kings 18:1; 1 Kings 19:15). As a faithful servant, he went to confront the king again. Compare Samuel’s second announcement of God’s judgment on Saul (1 Samuel 15). Ahab was not in Samaria at this time (1 Kings 21:18), but in Jezreel (1 Kings 21:19). The mention of Samaria was evidently an ironical reference to Ahab’s capital. Murdering someone and taking... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 21:17-29
In these verses we may observe, I. The very bad character that is given of Ahab (1 Kgs. 21:25, 26), which comes in here to justify God in the heavy sentence passed upon him, and to show that though it was passed upon occasion of his sin in the matter of Naboth (which David's sin in the matter of Uriah did too much resemble), yet God would not have punished him so severely if he had not been guilty of many other sins, especially idolatry; whereas David, except in that one matter, did that which... read more