What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? That he hated him. 3. 1) Ahab was a wicked king who was reared by a wicked father, King Omri. There was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up: Ahabs sin was multiplied not only because of the sin itself, but because by his permission, his wife stirred him up to do it. She borrows the privy-seal, but the king shall not know what she will do with it. Let this encourage all that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe the holy gospel, that if a pretending partial penitent shall go to his house reprieved, doubtless, a sincere believing penitent shall go to his house justified. Bible Examples. Surely she could not think to put a blasphemous sense upon the answer he had given to Ahab, as if denying him his vineyard were blaspheming the king, and giving the divine law for the reason were blaspheming God. 1. No less than his blood will serve to atone for the affront he has given to Ahab, which she thirsts after the more greedily because of his adherence to the law of the God of Israel. I. After this, we find, he hated a faithful prophet, ch. It also explained that just as God had shown mercy to Ahab ( 1 Kin. 21:17-29 Blessed Paul complains that he was sold under sin, Ro 7:14, as a poor captive against his will; but Ahab was willing, he sold himself to sin; of choice, and as his own act and deed, he loved the dominion of sin. 17 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. This reminds us of what God said to Adam in pronouncing the curse after the sin in the Garden of Eden: Because you have heeded the voice of your wife (Genesis 3:17). (Jeremiah 9:23-24) Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. 19 Say to him, 'This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' The Life and Times of Elijah the Prophet Ahab "Buys the Farm" or "Payday Someday" ( 1 Kings 21:1-22:40) 12. (2.) He said, 1) In the story of the Pharisee and publican praying in the temple, Jesus said, (Luke 18:13-14) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. He seeks after us; He wants us to turn from our sin and follow Him. It is giving God all the glory and praise for every ability that He has allowed us to have. Ahab is reproved, and his sin set before his eyes, by Elijah. Under Gods recommissioning, Elijah regained his confidence and courage. Nashville Predators (Last Ranking: 22) Well, the Washington Capitals . Now we see that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked (Eccl 8 14), but all will be set to rights in the great day. The main consequence of pride is Gods resistance He is welcome to the fruits of it, welcome to walk in it; Naboth perhaps would have made him a lease of it for his life, to please him; but nothing will please him unless he have an absolute property in it, he and his heirs for ever. Humility does not just happen, yet it is very beneficial. His dynasty would come to a dead-end, just like the dynasties of Jeroboam and Baasha. There is no wickedness so vile, so horrid, but religion has sometimes been made a cover for it. 19 Say to him, 'This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' This teaches us to take notice of that which is good even in those who are not so good as they should be: let it be commended as far as it goes. Proud member Elijah meets him, and denounces the judgments of God against him for his injustice, ver 17-24. Ahab is reproved, and his sin set before his eyes, by Elijah. b. Humility produces a change in ones actions 4) (Proverbs 11:2) When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. He shall not feel quietness. Growing Christians Ministries, P.O. St. Louis Blues (Last Ranking: 24) 23. We notice that Elijah confronted Ahab ( you murdered) over the sin of Jezebel and her wicked associates. But many a man's possessions have been his snare, and his neighbourhood to greatness has been of pernicious consequence. a. This discovers the great goodness of God, and his readiness to show mercy, which here rejoices against judgment. It must be done under colour of religion: "Proclaim a fast; signify to your city that you are apprehensive of some dreadful judgment coming upon you, which you must endeavour to avert, not only by prayer, but by finding out and by putting away the accursed thing; pretend to be afraid that there is some great offender among you undiscovered, for whose sake God is angry with your city; charge the people, if they know of any such, on that solemn occasion to inform against him, as they regard the welfare of the city; and at last let Naboth be fastened upon as the suspected person, probably because he does not join with his neighbours in their worship. b. Elijah denounced God's wrath against Ahab: I have found thee (says he, v. 20), because thou hast sold thyself to work evil. We should learn to quiet ourselves, under our crosses, with the thoughts of the mercies we enjoy, especially our hopes of the kingdom. Ahab's dynasty was brought to an end by God because of his disobedience and evil acts. (James 4:6) But he giveth more grace. The last 14 months elevated a global group of intellectuals and bureaucrats about which most people had previously cared very little. message. "She does not appear to have been at all aware that she was to feed a prophet. AN HUMBLE HEART (I Kings 21:27-29) 27. Among them, the ones who believe least in freedom entrenched their power, thanks . Ahab's great discontent and uneasiness hereupon. IV. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. Here let us observe that, as obsequious as the elders of Jezreel were to Jezebel's orders which she sent from Samaria for the murder of Naboth, so obsequious were the elders of Samaria afterwards to Jehu's orders which he sent from Jezreel for the murder of Ahab's seventy sons, only that was not done by course of law, 2 Kings 10 6, 7. Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible "And the word of Jehovah came to Elijah the Tishbite saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who dwelleth in Samaria: for he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to take possession of it. Humility Always Replaces Pride Of course, Didier Drogba had to make this list. i. Or hast thou so rich a kingdom at command and canst not thou be without this one vineyard?" (for Isa. 20 13. Punishments after death are here most insisted on, which, though such as affected the body only, were perhaps designed as figures of the soul's misery after death. Instead of shrinking with horror from the atrocious crime, Ahab eagerly hastened to his newly acquired property. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. Art thou fit to govern Israel, who hast no better a government of thy own passions? (1-4) Naboth murdered by Jezebel. intimating that he shunned him all he could, and it was now a terror to him to see him. Then, to obey God, His people must disobey the rulers. Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. God may withhold judgment Jezebel his wife stirred him up to do wickedly. Apparently, God holds husbands who follow their wives into sin to a special accountability. To what a pitch of impiety did he arrive who had such tinder of corruption in his heart and such a temper in his bosom to strike fire into it! Series: ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2023 Venue: Newlands, Cape . Eccl 3 16. Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 21:1-9. 7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? We never send unsolicited requests for funds. 1) Ahabs actions showed his humility. For the Lord will smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and He will uproot Israel from this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their Asherah poles, provoking the Lord to anger. The place is Naboth's vineyard and the time just when he is taking possession of it; then, and there, must his doom be read him. We as Christians know that all people are responsible to God for their actions. Bible commentary is an easy-to-use application for downloading. The Psalmist wrote, (Psalms 10:4) The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. When facing Gods judgment, wicked King Ahab humbled himself and even he experienced benefits of humility. In this passage, where did the confrontation between Elijah and Ahab take place? Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Men may thank themselves if they make God and his word a terror to them. Every person is responsible for his own sin. 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. 1 Kings chapter 21 summary will show us the extent of Jezebel's wickedness, and the gruesome nature of condoning bad behavior. They cannot exist together. The penitent heart ever meets the merciful eye of God; repentance is highly esteemed by the Father of compassion, even where it is comparatively shallow and short-lived. (Clarke). Over 17.2: Review by Karachi Kings (Bowling), Umpire - MA Gough, Batter - Azam Khan (Struck down) Islamabad United: 200 runs in 19.1 overs (115 balls), Extras 14 MATCH DETAILS Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). ii. Ahab got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth. We notice that Elijah confronted Ahab (you murdered) over the sin of Jezebel and her wicked associates. He never considered Gods will. He did not change after the draught and Elijah prayed down fire on Mt. 1 Kings 21:17-29 17 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 "Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. i. Jezebel, jocund enough that her plot succeeded so well, brings notice to Ahab that Naboth is not alive, but dead; therefore, says she, Arise, take possession of his vineyard, v. 15. "He took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him. 9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: 10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. The appearance of the prophet, at such a time, was ominous of evil, but his language was much more so (compare Eze 45:8; 46:16-18). Transition: This evening I want us to note three benefits of humility from this account in King Ahabs life. But this humiliation or repentance of Ahabs was only external and superficial, arising from the terror of Gods judgments; and not sincere and serious, proceeding from the love of God, or a true sense of his sin, or a solemn purpose of amendment of his life, as appears, because all the particulars of his repentance here, are external and ritual only; nor is there the least intimation of any one sign or fruit of his true repentance, as that he restored Naboths land, or reproved his infamous wife; but in the very next chapter you find him returning to his former vomit. (Poole), ii. They did not so much as dispute the command nor make any objections against it, though so palpably unjust, but punctually observed all the particulars of it, either because they feared Jezebel's cruelty or because they hated Naboth's piety, or both: They did as it was written in the letters (v. 11, 12), neither made any difficulty of it, nor met with any difficulty in it, but cleverly carried on the villany. 1 Kings 21:17-29 New International Version 17 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 "Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. Carmel. c. In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours: This was a strong and startling prophecy. That man's condition is very miserable, who has made the word of God his enemy; and very desperate, who reckons the ministers of that word his enemies, because they tell him the truth. God gently prodded Elijah to see that fearing the evil Jezebel and running away was sin. But Elijah did not repent. b. But the repentance was short-lived. 12/06 - 12/13 (29) 11/29 - 12/06 (29) 11/22 - 11/29 (23 ) 11/15 - 11/ . Naboth being taken off, Ahab takes possession of his vineyard. Read Matthew 12:36. Why did Ahab blame Elijah for his troubles? They believed that the land was an inheritance from God, parceled out to individual tribes and families according to His will. Do you have questions or comments about the material on this website? After the great confrontation on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled under the threat of his life by a woman, but God graciously restored him, and he continued to speak and act in the name of the Lord. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. We know this because God said so, v.29. The proud man is naturally wrapped up in his own importance, often speaks to make his audience feel their inferiority. 2. Then Ahab had countenanced the reformation, and therefore then all was well between him and the prophet; but now he had relapsed, and was worse than ever. The use of the kings royal, dynastic, administrative or even personal seal to gain his authority would require Ahabs collusion. (Wiseman). "What hast thou to do in this vineyard? This encourages all those that truly repent and unfeignedly believe the holy gospel. Note, God can make the stoutest heart to tremble and the proudest to humble itself. You shall speak to him, saying, Thus says the Lord. 1 Kings 21:19, Have you found me, O my enemy? 1 Kings 21:20. It is a story of prophecy and grace. Your help keeps the GCM website online for growing Christians around the world! Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. b. Solomon was born after a palace scandal between David and Bathsheba. . Pride manifests itself by praising ourselves, adorning our persons, and attempting to appear before others in a superior light. 14 11), and of Baasha's (ch. Had she sent to them to hire some of their banditti, some desperate ruffians, to assassinate him, to stab him as he went along the streets in the night, the deed would have been bad enough; but to destroy him by a course of law, to use that power for the murdering of the innocent which ought to be their protection, was such a violent perversion of justice and judgment as was truly monstrous, yet such as we are directed not to marvel at, Eccl 5 8. If a pretending partial penitent shall go to his house reprieved, doubtless a sincere penitent shall go to his house justified. And see how literally the prediction concerning his son was fulfilled, see 2 Kings 9:25, where we find that the body of Jehoram his son, just then slain by an arrow that had passed through his heart, was thrown into the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; and there, doubtless, the dogs licked his blood, if they did not even devour his body. (Clarke), d. Have you found me, O my enemy: Though the king knew it not, Elijah was his best friend; Jezebel his direst foe. (Meyer), i. 12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. v. 29. 1 Kings 21 Naboth's vineyard 1 Naboth lived in a town called Jezreel. January 14, 2008. Let proclamation be made that, if any one can inform the court against the prisoner, and prove him to be the Achan, they shall be heard; and then let the witnesses appear to give evidence against him." A far better explanation is found in the fact that because of Ahabs sorrow and repentance at the end of the chapter, God relented from this judgment and instead brought it upon Ahabs son (in 2 Kings 9:24-26) as the LORD said He would in 1 Kings 21:29. ii. Ahab never possessed the vineyard of Naboth. He seemed to be a spineless, pouting man who reacted this way when he met any kind of adversity. 1) God had tolerated Ahabs wickedness for years, but his prideful disregard for Naboth and the laws of God was the last straw. All rights reserved. 3) (Proverbs 29:23) A mans pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. [1.] (8-14) Jezebel plots and orders the murder of Naboth. He is welcome to the fruits of it, welcome to walk in it; Naboth perhaps would have made him a lease of it for his life, to please him; but nothing will please him unless he have an absolute property in it, he and his heirs for ever. Then he prophesied the death of Ahab (1 Kings 21:19), which was later fulfilled (1 Kings 22:38-40). In his 1774 sermon, "Scriptural Instructions to Civil Rulers," Yale graduate Samuel Sherwood encouraged his audience to "be deeply affected with the present critical and alarming situation of our public affairs."Given our current state, I'd say we have the first step down already. He was wholly given up to sin, and, upon condition he might have the pleasures of it, he would take the wages of it, which is death, Rom 6 23. 2 r Bear one another's burdens, and s so fulfill t the law of Christ. (1 Kings 21:20). [12] "Asherah poles": Hebrew: asherim. Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, "Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. After Elijah pronounced judgment on Ahab, we read that Ahab tore his clothes, fasted and mourned (1 Kings 21:27). What was the confrontation about? c. Seat Naboth with high honor among the people: This was a treacherous plan; first, to set Naboth in a high place of honor, and then to destroy him with lies from the mouths of scoundrels. So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning. live. his descendants, and Jezebel. The message with which Elijah was sent to him, when he went to take possession of Naboth's vineyard, v. 17-19. b) (Proverbs 16:5) Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Trending. Salem Media Group. This shows us the character of Gods mercy: it is given to the undeserving. a) It consists in not attributing to ourselves any excellence or good which we have not. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. He sold himself to work wickedness, that is, he made himself a perfect slave to his lusts, and was as much at their beck and command as ever any servant was at his master's. (1-3) Naboth refuses to give up his land. 1. 1. Yet he is not such a tyrant as to take it by force, but fairly proposes either to give Naboth the full value of it in money or a better vineyard in exchange. 17 runs, 3 wkts . d) It consists in not assuming more of the praise of a quality or action than belongs to us. What a holy indignation may we be filled with to see wickedness in the place of judgment! The Life and Times of Elijah the Prophet Israel's Deliverance ( 1 Kings 20:1-43) 11. The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you: Naboths response was an emphatic No. His rejection of the otherwise reasonable offer was rooted in the ancient Israelite idea of the land. Although, Some say that Ahab was his next kinsman, his sons being dead; which they judge more likely, because his land was next to the kings (Poole). b) He put sackcloth upon his flesh a sign of mourning. Shubman Gill c Steven Smith b Matthew Kuhnemann 21 (18) This may mean he went barefoot or that he guarded his words, actions and attitudes in attempt to calm the anger of God. The Three Kingdoms period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and was followed by the Western Jin dynasty.The short-lived state of Yan on the Liaodong Peninsula, which lasted . 2. Without Sacramento's leading scorer De'Aaron Fox, Kings coach Mike Brown made Harrison Barnes the focal point of their offense on Tuesday night, and the 11-year veteran took advantage of the opportunity.