1 Kings 21:20-23

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:20

And Ahab said to Elijah, hast thou found me, O mine enemy ?.... So he reckoned him, because he dealt faithfully with him, and reproved him for his sins, and denounced the judgments of God upon him for them: and he answered, I have found thee ; as a thief, a robber and plunderer, in another's vineyard; he had found out his sin in murdering Naboth, and unjustly possessing his vineyard, which was revealed to him by the Lord; and now was come as his enemy, as he called him, as being against... read more

John Gill

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

Behold, I will bring evil upon thee ,.... Upon his own person, by cutting him off with a violent death, though his family was so numerous, having no less than seventy sons: and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left Israel ; See Gill on 1 Kings 14:10 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:22

And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah ,.... Two of his predecessors, whose families were utterly destroyed, 1 Kings 15:29 , for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin : not only by his worship of the calves, but of the idols of the Zidonians, particularly Baal, and also of the Amorites, 1 Kings 21:26 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 21:23

And of Jezebel also spake the Lord ,.... To Elijah, and by him: saying, the dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel or in the inheritance or portion of Jezreel, as the Targum; Jarchi interprets it, the valley of Jezreel; the fulfilment of this see in 2 Kings 9:30 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 21:20

Thou hast sold thyself to work evil - See a similar form of speech, Romans 7:14 ; (note). Thou hast totally abandoned thyself to the service of sin. Satan is become thy absolute master, and thou his undivided slave. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 21:23

The dogs shall eat Jezebel - This was most literally fulfilled; see 2 Kings 9:36 . The carcasses of poor Hindoos, and of persons who have received public punishment, are thrown into the rivers, and floating to the side, are devoured by dogs, vultures, and crows. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:15-24

Divine Inquisition. Ahab lost no time in reaping the fruit of Jezebel's wickedness. The next day, after the murder of Naboth and his family, we find him taking possession of the coveted vineyard (see 2 Kings 9:26 ). But in all this dark business there was an invisible Spectator, whose presence does not seem to have been sufficiently taken into the account, I. GOD IS AN OMNISCIENT OBSERVER . 1 . He inspects all human actions . 2 . He surveys all human motives . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 21:15-29

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

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