1 Kings 21

3 the inheritance of my fathers. Naboth’s refusal to part with his vineyard was avowedly grounded on religious principle. He regarded the law as forbidding him to part with his patrimony. But even if that were not so, Ahab had no right to compel the sale or exchange.

4 would eat no bread. Ahab’s childish fretfulness was perhaps indulged the more in order to engage the sympathy of his wife, whom he allowed to act for him in the matter; and she resolutely made her way to her object through the fourfold guilt of deceit, perjury, robbery, and murder.

11. And the men of his city, etc. An instance of the servility produced by high-handed despotism: cp. 2 Kings x. 1-7.

13 blaspheme. Or, “curse,” as R.V.: cp. Job i. 5.

stoned him . . . that he died. That there might be no heir or avenger, his sons also were put to death: see 2 Kings ix. 26.

16 to take possession of it. He seems to have gone with some state (2 Kings ix. 25).

18 which is in Samaria. That is, “who lives at Samaria.” He was not there then, for it was at Jezreel that Elijah met Ahab.

19. Hast thou killed? A man is not the less guilty because, through weakness of character, he can act the part only of an accomplice. Ahab, in his eagerness, took possession the very day after Naboth’s death.

20 sold thyself to work evil. He had surrendered himself completely to evil as its slave.

27 went softly. The severe threatening denounced against him made so much impression that, for a while at least, he behaved humbly and carefully; and on account of this, the infliction of the full punishment was delayed till after his own death: see 2 Kings ix. 25.