Study notes

1 Kings 21

Introducing 1 KingsWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

15:1–22:53 Section

All kings in the southern kingdom were compared to David. Abijah didn’t obey God like David had done. But Asa and Jehosophat did. They made sure that the people worshipped only God.

All kings in the northern kingdom were compared to Jeroboam. Nabad, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, Ahab and Ahaziah worshipped false gods like Jeroboam did. Ahab did more evil things than Jeroboam had done. Ahab made a peace treaty with the king of Aram. Yet God had commanded that this king be set apart to be destroyed.

Ahab and Jezebel had Naboth murdered and then stole Naboth’s land. Jezebel also killed many prophets who were faithful to God. Yet God continued sending messages to Ahab through prophets. Again and again God showed Ahab that the Lord is the one and only God. God showed this when he sent fire to the altar on Mount Carmel. He showed it when he gave Ahab’s army victory over Aram’s army. But Ahab didn’t turn back to God after those events. He only made himself humble before God when Elijah announced God’s judgement against him.

God protected Elijah from Ahab and Jezebel for many years. God used ravens, a widow and an angel to provide food for Elijah. God answered Elijah’s prayers by doing miracles. God did a miracle when he gave life back to the widow’s son who had died. He also did a miracle on Mount Carmel to show that Baal was a false god. God passed by Elijah on Mount Horeb. This meant that God made himself known to Elijah in a special way. Mount Horeb was another name for Mount Sinai. God had passed by Moses on Mount Sinai many years before (Exodus 33:21 – 34:7).

Elijah and Moses were both prophets who had a very close relationship with God. Elijah felt hopeless and alone. This was because he thought that he was the only Israelite who remained faithful to God. God comforted Elijah by telling him that several thousand Israelites still worshipped God. God also gave him Elisha as a helper.

21:1

Besides his palace in the capital city, Ahab had another palace in Jezreel. Excavations in Jezreel have uncovered a large palace.
Samaria, which sometimes refers to the capital city, refers here to the entire northern kingdom.

21:1–16

The writer shares another event where King Ahab reacted with anger and sulking (1 Kings 20:43; 21:4).

21:2–3

Naboth turned down Ahab's generous offer to buy or trade land for his vineyard. Naboth wanted to sell, but the law required inherited property to remain with the original family or tribe (Leviticus 25:23–28; Numbers 36:7–9). Unlike kings of nearby nations who could take any property they wanted (1 Samuel 8:11–17), Ahab had to follow Israel's law.

21:4

sullen and angry: Ahab reacted the same way when God's prophet scolded him (1 Kings 20:43). A stubborn, self-centered person can easily become sullen (1 Kings 21:16, 20, 25–26; see 16:31–32; 18:10, 17; 20:42–43; 22:3, 27–30).

21:7

I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite: Jezebel's ruthless actions showed her cultural background. Canaanite kings acted as they wished (1 Kings 21:8–10, 15, 25; see 19:1–2; 2 Kings 9:30–31).

21:8–9

among the people: This type of meeting usually dealt with sin that might lead to divine punishment (see Deuteronomy 21:1–9; Joshua 7:10–12; 1 Samuel 7:1–6). Jezebel called it to falsely accuse an innocent person.

21:10

scoundrels (literally sons of Belial): This Hebrew term describes completely wicked people (Deuteronomy 13:13; Judges 19:22; 1 Samuel 10:27; Proverbs 6:12). Later Jewish texts associated Belial with Satan, a connection Paul also makes in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 6:15).
Legally, two witnesses were required to confirm a charge against someone (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16). Naboth faced a double accusation of blasphemy against God and the king, which led to a death sentence by stoning outside the city (Deuteronomy 17:5–6; 22:24). Naboth was likely executed on his own land (see 2 Kings 9:21–26).

21:13–14

Like Achan (Joshua 7:24–26), Naboth’s sons were killed at the same time (2 Kings 9:26). This was to stop the property from going to them. The charge led to a state execution (Deuteronomy 13:10–11; 17:5). With no male heirs left, Ahab used his royal right to take the property (1 Samuel 8:14).

21:17–22

Elijah announced God's judgment on Ahab as he was about to take over the vineyard. Since Ahab caused Naboth's death and took his field, Ahab and his family would be destroyed. The prophecy about Ahab's children would come true when Jehu removed Baal worshipers from Israel (2 Kings 9:30–37; 10:1–11).

21:25–26

The author pauses his story to highlight Ahab's evil nature, criticize the king's dedication to idol worship, and blame him for being influenced by his wife Jezebel. Jezebel, who was wicked, would do anything to get what she wanted (1 Kings 18:4; 19:1–2; 21:5–10, 15). Although she remained arrogant and defiant until the end (2 Kings 9:30–31), she eventually faced her foretold fate (1 Kings 21:23; 2 Kings 9:32–37).

21:27–29

Ahab was a complicated person. He was rightly criticized for his evil actions, but he did repent when a prophet delivered a message of rebuke (1 Kings 21:27). Because Ahab repented, the Lord sent Elijah to delay the terrible punishment meant for Ahab and instead place it on his equally wicked sons (2 Kings 1:17; 9:24–26; 10:1–11).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources