And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite ,.... After he was gone from Ahab, and Ahab had been some time in this humble posture; the Targum calls it the word of prophecy, and so it was, as the next verse shows: saying: as follows. 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
Partial Penitence. Such was the effect of Elijah's message delivered in the vineyard of Naboth. The fearless courage of the prophet had again asserted itself, and once more the king quailed before his terrible words of denunciation. The subject is the more worthy of study because the deceitfulness of the human heart is here laid bare by "the searcher of hearts." If we understand Ahab, we shall better understand ourselves. I. THE DECEITFUL NATURE OF AHAB 'S HUMILIATION . We... read more
And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, [It is not clear that this mitigation of the sentence was announced to Ahab], read more
Divine Relentings. If we were to seek the Scriptures through for a proof that God's "property is always to have mercy," and that judgment is His strange work, where should we find a more striking and eminent one than in this relenting towards Ahab? Consider - I. AHAB 'S SIN . In this respect" there was none like him." He "sold himself to work wickedness." It was not because of Naboth's murder alone that the sentence of 1 Kings 21:19-22 was pronounced against him; it was for the... 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
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
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
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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