The Jews could not permanently sell their land, but only lease
it until the year of Jubilee (Lev 25:23). To sell land is to presume its
ownership, but the true Israelite knew that Yahweh was the only real "owner" of
the Land. Naboth only held the property in trust for Him.
Naboth's rationalizations might be imagined: (1) The Law is
often ignored anyway; (2) Selling the land will bring me material gain; and (3)
I must protect my family.
Yet against all these arguments Naboth is steadfast to the Law
of God.
Likewise, we must learn to look at our SPIRITUAL inheritance
from the LORD; we must not "sell" it -- no matter the price offered, or any
other inducement to part with it, or any threat to us if we don't give it up! It
is absolutely priceless.
1Ki 21:7
IS THIS HOW YOU ACT AS KING OVER ISRAEL?: Or "Dost thou
now govern the kingdom of Israel?" Of course, the irony is that Ahab does NOT
rule Israel -- but rather his wife does!
1Ki 21:13
Cp parable of vineyard: "This is the heir. Come, let's kill
him and take his inheritance" (Mat 21:35-46).
OUTSIDE THE CITY: "Let us, then, go to him outside the
camp, bearing the disgrace he bore" (Heb 13:13).
AND STONED HIM TO DEATH: Cp 2Ki 9:26: "Yesterday I saw
the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the LORD, and I will
surely make you pay for it on this plot of ground, declares the LORD."
Evidently, Naboth's entire family was stoned. (Jezebel would realize that
Naboth's sons and heirs might be no more willing to break the law than their
father.)
1Ki 21:19
Cp situation of NT "Elijah" -- John the Baptist -- who spoke
the same way to Herod king of Israel: 'You have declared your brother Philip to
be as good as dead, so that you can take possession of his property: Herodias
his wife.'
1Ki 21:20
YOU HAVE SOLD YOURSELF: Ahab had sold himself, a
"slave'' to lust, ambition, and Jezebel.
1Ki 21:22
The theme of the vineyard parable: "The kingdom of God will be
taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit" (Mat
21:43).
1Ki 21:23
DOGS: Sig Gentiles (Mat 15:27).
1Ki 21:27
"Ahab was dismayed when told that his life would be taken --
1Ki 20:42,43 -- but he was totally crushed when told his DYNASTY would end. His
long-pursued dream and only true ambition was not to be a reality"
(DS).