Theme: COMMENTARY ON HEBREWS 11:32 - 40
Text: “And Naboth said to Ahab, Jehovah forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.” – 1 Kings 21:3, 4. American Standard Version.
Comment: The story of what happened when Naboth refused to let go of his father’s vineyard shows the extent people could go in exercising their powers when they do not have the fear of God. Ahab had told Naboth to sell his vineyard to him or receive the equivalent in another place. Since the Bible says the land should not be sold forever, (Leviticus 25:23) Naboth refused to sell to the King what was his inheritance. While King Ahab sulked over the matter, Jezebel the wife did a strange thing in the land of Israel but certainly not unusual among people who relate with demons. She wrote letters in the King’s name, used his stamp to seal it, that Naboth be put on trial. She got two equally unprincipled men to swear falsely that heard and saw him blaspheme God and the King. That was how Naboth was stoned to death under the pretence that he violated the law of God. (1 Kings 21:19,24-26) God used Elijah to declare God’s judgment on Ahab and his house. Naboth died for sticking to the law of God, for which He would have life by God’s grace. Ahab, Jezebel and all his sons died violently for their wickedness. See Psalm 7:15,16; Galatians 6:7; 2 Kings 9:22-27.