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
And she wrote in the letters, saying, proclaim a fast ,.... Pretending fears of some dreadful calamity coming upon the nation, and therefore fasting and humiliation were necessary to avert it, and it would be right to inquire what crimes were committed by men among them, and punish them for them; and intimated to them that Naboth should be chosen as the great offender, and be accused, condemned, and put to death, R. Joseph Kimchi F1 Apud David. Kimchium in loc. thinks the phrase... read more
And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him ,.... Worthless wretches, that have cast off the yoke of the law, as Belial signifies, lawless abandoned creatures, that have no conscience of anything; "knights of the post", as we call them, that will swear anything; these were to be set before Naboth, right against him to confront him, and accuse him to his face, and charge him with crimes next mentioned: saying, thou didst blaspheme God and the king : and so was... read more
And the men of the city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them ,.... That Jezebel should contrive so execrable a scheme, and that there should be such sons of Belial among the common people to swear to such falsehoods, need not seem strange; but that the elders and nobles of the city, the chief magistrates thereof, should be so sadly and universally depraved as to execute such a piece of villany, is really surprising. Idolatry,... read more
They proclaimed a fast ,.... Or called a court; see Gill on 1 Kings 21:9 . and set Naboth on high among the people ; placed him at the bar as a criminal; see Gill on 1 Kings 21:9 , though Josephus F3 Antiqu. l. 3. c. 13. sect. 8. thinks he was set on an high place in the court, because he was of an illustrious birth. read more
And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him ,.... Which position showed that they were his accusers, and had a charge against him; it being usual for the accusers and accused to be set face to face, as it was the manner of the Romans in later times, Acts 25:16 . Josephus says F4 Antiqu. l. 3. c. 13. sect. 8. there were "three" men to accuse him; but the Targum, and all the ancient versions, have only "two": and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even ... read more
Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. Not only stoned, but stoned to death. This message was sent to her from the magistrates of Jezreel; for though the letters came in Ahab's name, they might be privately informed that this was a scheme of Jezebel's; besides, they knew she had the sway at court, and especially that the news of this man's death would be acceptable to her, and the more if he was of the 7000 that would not bow the knee to Baal. read more
She wrote letters in Ahab ' s name - She counterfeited his authority by his own consent; and he lent his signet to stamp that authority. read more
Proclaim a fast - Intimate that there is some great calamity coming upon the nation, because of some evil tolerated in it. Set Naboth on high - Bring him to a public trial. read more
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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