Changes

''1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.''

''1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.''

What events are referred to in here? As described in previous chapters, King Ahab recently received a warning from [[prophet]]ic disciple due to his betrayal of God’s work and for his disobedience to God. [[Autocracy|Autocratic]] and [[authoritarian]] ruler however hates reproofs. He experiences an immense anguish when anyone would dare to challenge him or even admonish him publicly, even though it would be by authority of the very God’s words. Ahab could not stand a situation when one would confront him without being afraid of him. Although he already experienced few cases when he had to step back in favor of Elijah, still his irrepressible exalted conceit would not allow him to get completely humbled under the mighty hand of God.

What events are referred to in here? As described in previous chapters, King Ahab recently received a warning from [[prophet]]ic disciple due to his betrayal of God’s work and for his disobedience to [[God]]. [[Autocracy|Autocratic]] and [[authoritarian]] ruler however hates reproofs. He experiences an immense anguish when anyone would dare to challenge him or even admonish him publicly, even though it would be by [[authority]] of the very God’s words. Ahab could not stand a situation when one would confront him without being afraid of him. Although he already experienced few cases when he had to step back in favor of [[Elijah]], still his irrepressible exalted conceit would not allow him to get completely humbled under the mighty hand of God.

It is significant that even shortly after the event, when Ahab was convicted of [[sin]], his attention was captured by someone's vineyard lying just next to his palace. One who hates reproof is usually eager to expand, keep everything under own control, and rule without any [[Boundaries (Psychology)|boundaries]].   

It is significant that even shortly after the event, when Ahab was convicted of [[sin]], his attention was captured by someone's vineyard lying just next to his palace. One who hates reproof is usually eager to expand, keep everything under own control, and rule without any [[Boundaries (Psychology)|boundaries]].   

''2 Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”''

''2 Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”''

The king of northern Israel is aware of his wealth and riches hence first makes Naboth a really grandiose offer. When we meet someone for first time who is in his within a manipulator, we can often be surprised by his generosity and seeming friendliness, however only until we dare to show disagreement or when we act differently from his wishes.

The king of northern Israel is aware of his wealth and riches hence first makes Naboth a really grandiose offer. When we meet someone for first time who is in his within a manipulator, we can often be surprised by his generosity and seeming friendliness, however only until we dare to show disagreement or when we act differently from his wishes.

''3 But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”''

''3 But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”''

''4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.''

''4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.''

It is very awkward for power-hungry man to be reminded that things might not be his way and that it is legal and legitimate to disagree with him. Such matter can cause even the loss of appetite.  

It is very awkward for power-hungry man to be reminded that things might not be his way and that it is [[legal]] and legitimate to disagree with him. Such matter can cause even the loss of appetite.  

''5 His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?” 6 He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”''

''5 His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?” 6 He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”''

''9 In those letters she wrote: "Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death." 11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them.''  

''9 In those letters she wrote: "Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death." 11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them.''  

These words leave us in no doubt about the moral corruption of the royal family, as well as about the corruption of leaders of the nation. It is significant that every "crafty" manipulator of the cadre of Ahab's wife, skillfully justifies own self-interested acts in the name of God, and even proclaims public fasting for supporting it. Naboth, for his courage for defiance, was to be publicly portrayed as a [[blasphemer]], who  is going to receive a just punishment that he deserves.

These words leave us in no doubt about the moral [[corruption]] of the royal family, as well as about the corruption of leaders of the [[nation]]. It is significant that every "crafty" manipulator of the cadre of Ahab's wife, skillfully justifies own self-interested acts in the name of God, and even proclaims public fasting for supporting it. Naboth, for his courage for defiance, was to be publicly portrayed as a [[blasphemer]], who  is going to receive a just punishment that he deserves.

''12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 13 Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth has cursed both God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. 14 Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned to death."''

''12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 13 Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth has cursed both God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. 14 Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned to death."''