CHARACTERS
Ahab was one of Israel’s most wicked kings – He ruled the northern kingdom of Israel and did more evil in God’s sight than any king before him – he allowed his wife Jezebel to manipulate him into doing evil. (1 Kings 16:30).
Jezebel led Israel into idol worship – She was a Phoenician princess who married Ahab and introduced the worship of Baal, turning the people away from God (1 Kings 16:31-32).
Jezebel opposed God’s prophets – She actively hunted down and killed prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4, 18:19-40).
BIBLE
We’d love for you to open your bibles to 1 Kings 21:4-10 and we are going to read their story
4 So Ahab went home angry and upset because Naboth told him, “I will not give you my family’s land.” Ahab went to bed, turned away from everyone, and refused to eat.
5 His wife Jezebel went to him and asked him, “Why are you upset? Why do you refuse to eat?”
6 Ahab answered, “I asked Naboth from Jezreel to give me his vineyard. I told him that I would pay him the full price. Or, if he preferred, I would give him another vineyard. But he refused to give it to me.”
7 Jezebel answered, “But you are the king over Israel! Get out of bed and eat something, and you will feel better. I will get Naboth’s vineyard for you.”
8 Then Jezebel wrote some letters. She signed Ahab’s name to them and used his seal to seal the letters. Then she sent them to the elders and important men who lived in the same town as Naboth. 9 This is what the letter said:
“Announce that there will be a day of fasting when the people will eat nothing. Then call all the people of the town together for a meeting. At the meeting we will talk about Naboth. 10 Find some men who will tell lies about Naboth. They should say that they heard Naboth speak against the king and against God. Then take Naboth out of the city and kill him with stones.”
STORY
King Ahab and Queen Jezebel
Jezebel paced the room and finally paused in front of her husband with both of her jewelled arms on her hips. “Ahab, you must tell me why you are so sullen!” she demanded, her voice losing its patience.
Ahab sighed, pouting, and said, “I feel angry and sad!”
“That part is obvious,” she stated. “Look at the platter of fruits hurled on the ground like pigs’ food. You cannot put any of that in your mouth.”
“I won’t!”
“Tell me what the matter is.” She paced the room.
Ahab groaned and put his head down. “I went to see Naboth, that pestilence from Jezreel. We had words, and he refused the king!”
Jezebel stopped pacing and sat across from her husband. “What do you mean?”
“Naboth refused to sell me his vineyard!” Ahab slapped his leg. “How dare he!”
“You want his vineyard? Whatever for?”
“I want to grow a vegetable garden since his vineyard is so close to the palace. I think it’s very convenient for me to use. I offered to give him a better one farther away, and I would pay whatever he asked for his vineyard.”
“And?” Jezebel leaned and rested her elbows on her knees, her bangles moving noisily with her.
“He refused!” Ahab hurled a piece of fruit from his bed to the back wall.
“What exactly did he say that makes you think he refused your offer?”
“He said, ‘The Lord forbids I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.’ Can you imagine such vulgar words?” Ahab folded his arms across his chest again and scowled.
Jezebel threw her head back and roared with laughter. By the look on Ahab’s face, he was not amused by his wife’s reaction.
She stood and sauntered to sit next to him. She rubbed his back and grinned. “My beloved, is this a way the king of Israel acts?”
He stared at her with a blank look and shook his head.
“Get up and eat! Rejoice.” She smirked. “I will get you the vineyard of Naboth.” She kissed him and walked over to the desk, sat down, and wrote on the open scroll.
“What are you planning?” He stretched his neck, trying to decipher from where he sat what she was writing.
She did not reply.
He did not ask again; instead, he rubbed his beard, deep in thought.
Jezebel folded the scroll, placed his seal over it, and rang the gong. Elana watched in fascination as a soldier entered from the side door and bowed.
Jezebel stretched her arm with the scroll. “Take this to the elders and nobles who live in Naboth’s city, and tell them I command they do as this says.”
The man took the scroll, bowed, and left the room.
Jezebel rubbed her hands together. A satisfied look registered on her face, her amber eyes slanted and malicious.
Ahab reached for her hand and pulled her with force onto his lap. “What did you write?”
She placed her hand around his neck and leaned her embellished head onto his. “I have proclaimed a day of fasting and have requested they seat Naboth in a prominent place amongst the people so—”
“Prominent?”
She placed her index finger on his lips. “Shh. Once he is seated, two vagabonds will accuse him in front of everyone that he has cursed both God and the king.” An ominous smile crept over her red lips. “The town will be horrified to know Naboth has turned against you, and they will stone him to death—when that happens, you are to take possession of your vineyard!”
Ahab stared at his wife with his mouth agape. He blinked a few times, and a grin appeared on his lips. “My beloved! You are too ingenious!” He threw back his head and laughed.
4 things to remember about the story
- Be careful who influences you
- Don’t let power, popularity, or idols take God’s place
- Stand up for what is right, even when it’s hard
- Your choices impact others
We go more in depth on the podcast – so click the player above and listen in.
