Naboth's Vineyard
Clarence E. Lunden
Table of Contents
Naboth's Vineyard
Naboth, a typical example of the true Israelite, valued his vineyard, his delight, an inheritance handed down from his fathers, truly a gift from Jehovah.
The true "Israel of God" look on to the fulfillment of God's promises when they will have peace and rest for one thousand years under their King, the One of whom David was a type. At the time of our narrative, conditions were far from this hope.
The Israelite did not leave his tribe; he married, lived, and was buried in his inheritance. To bury a man or his bones in the land of his inheritance suggests that resurrection was in view. Joseph, at his death, commanded that his bones be taken to Canaan to be buried (Gen. 50:24-26).
Although only national resurrection was taught (Ezek. 37:1-14; Dan. 12:2), the general understanding was that all men would be raised again and that every work must come into judgment (Eccl. 12:14).
We should be thankful that we have been given so much light and truth in our day. What a hope we have in resurrection life!
"And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreel- ite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria" (1 Kings 21:1). Naboth's vineyard in Jezreel, which means "seed of Jehovah", was near the dwelling of King Ahab.
The king of God's people was not to oppress them, but he was to be a shepherd, protecting, feeding, and caring for them. Ahab's record was bad, for he did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.
Ahab had introduced Baal worship into Israel and had placed the house of Baal and its altar in Samaria (1 Kings 16:32). Moreover, he built a house of ivory and lived in luxury (1 Kings 22:39; Amos 3:15).
The heart of man can never be satisfied outside of Christ. There are many examples of this in the Word of God, one being King Solomon, who, from very youth, sampled every earthly joy or pleasure and found all to be vanity (Eccl. 2:1-10).
Lust, or desire, characterizes the man of the flesh; contentment, the man of the Spirit. Naboth was content with his vineyard, but Ahab was covetous of Naboth's vineyard. From his window he could view the beautiful inheritance next to his dwelling.
"And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money" (1 Kings 21:2).
Ahab, in asking for Naboth's vineyard, wished to destroy it and replace it with a garden of herbs, which have only a temporary savoring effect, nothing permanent. It takes years to bring to maturity a vineyard enclosed with hedges. Wine in Scripture is a figure of joy; hedges speak of separation from the world, also of stability.
Joy and stability result from meditating on the handed-down ministry prepared for us by our fathers, but these things of worth the world, especially the religious world, would replace with a garden of herbs.
Money cannot replace heavenly values. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36, 37) "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Prow. 23:23).
It is proper to honor the king, and we should obey those who are over us and pay tribute to them, but when it comes to vital matters which have to do with our souls, we have to obey God rather than man. We are not to remove the old "landmarks" (Deut. 19:14); the "hedges" must not be broken, lest a serpent bite the offender (Eccl. 10:8).
Leaders can be used by Satan to upset God's people, and because of their "itching ears" they turn the ears of the people away from the truth to fables.
"And Naboth said to Ahab, The
LORD forbid it me, that I
should give the inheritance of my
fathers unto thee" (1 Kings 21:3).
Naboth was firm. How could he give away the inheritance of his fathers? It would be giving up his hope.
"And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the fez- reelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread" (1 Kings 21:4).
The actions of Ahab, resulting from his talk with Naboth, did not manifest much character, but rather poor fostering on the part of his parents. Often the characteristics of a parent are seen in his children.
All Ahab needed was a Jezebel to prompt the wickedness which smoldered within him. What right had anyone, even the king, to the inheritance of Naboth?
The account of Naboth is a picture of what will take place in Judah after the return of the two tribes to their land. We see the return of Judah and Benjamin to the Land already under way in our day.
Among those returning, there will arise a little remnant, of whom Naboth is a type. God will awaken a few of the Jews to teach this remnant the truth of the Messiah and His return to earth to set up His kingdom. These truths are found in the Scriptures of the prophets.
Many thus instructed will give a testimony in the land of Israel, Jerusalem especially, for three and one-half years (Psa. 40:9, 10). After they have rendered their testimony, persecution will come.
"But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eat- est no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Na- both the Jezreelite, and said un- to him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vine- yard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now gov- ern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezree- lite" (1 Kings 21:5-7).
Jezebel typifies the corrupt, wicked woman (the Gentile Roman church) who will control the Roman Empire (beast) during a part of the last half of the prophetic seven years yet to be fulfilled (Rev. 17:7).
The false king of Israel who will reign at that time will take his orders from Jezebel, inasmuch as she will control the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:1,2). This false king, whom Ahab typifies (Dan. 11:36), will do much the same as Ahab. He will seize the land of Israel (Naboth's vineyard), divide it, and sell it for gain (Dan. 11:39).
He is the "idol shepherd" (Zech. 11:17), "an hireling," or "the Antichrist," spoken of by John the apostle. He will have gained power among the apostate Jews, and soon after the breaking of the covenant which had been made with the western nations (Europe, etc.) for a seven-year period, he will set up idolatry. This idol set up in the holy place will be the signal for the godly remnant to flee (Matt. 24:15, 16).
There will never be found a more diabolical and wicked trio than Jezebel, the Antichrist, and the Roman beast (Rev. 16:13). The deaths of all martyrs will be required of Jezebel (Rev. 8:24).
The will of man is never subject to God. The natural man is controlled by his lusts and by public opinion. The days will come when public opinion will not govern any longer, but man will give vent to his own will.
Conditions at the time this narrative typifies will be such that man's lust will be unbridled. To witness an absolute dictator giving way to an uncontrolled will would be frightening, but what our passage describes is an idolatrous woman, Jezebel, dictating to the king of Israel, even usurping his authority. It was Jezebel who ordered the death of Naboth so that the king might have Naboth's inheritance.
In describing Jezebel of a later day (Rev. 17;18), the Word also declares, "In her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth" (Rev. 18:24).
"So she wrote letters in Ahab's
name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.... And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles.... proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, e- ven against Naboth, in the pres- ence of the people, saying, Na- both did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Then they sent to Jezebel, say- ing, Naboth is stoned, and is dead"
(1 Kings 21:8,11-14).
Naboth lost his earthly inheritance, but he will receive a better, a heavenly, one, for there never is any loss for faith, only gain. Literally, "But there shall not an hair of your head perish" (Luke 21:18).
If we would remain as true to the light given to us as Naboth was to the light afforded him, what a blessing would result.
The unregenerate man would never own any connection with such wickedness as the slaying of a righteous man such as Naboth in his own vineyard. Yet, what happened at the cross of Jesus?
Did not Simeon prophesy to Mary that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed at the death of Jesus? (Luke 2:35) The natural man is led about by Satan at his will. Such was the case with Jezebel and the nobles of Jezreel.
"And it came to pass, when Jez- ebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jez- ebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Na- both the Jezreelite, which he re- fused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it" (1 Kings 21:15,16).
The wealth of the land of Israel has become an object of envy to the nations about it, even to the countries of Europe.
Two great powers are already vying for a place in the affections of Israel. Although Israel is today referred to as a nation, it is but a temporary condition, and it will not be a nation again in God's sight until all twelve tribes are back in their land in peace. Then Zion will be founded. Those who are returning now do so to their sorrow. (Isa. 17:9-11).
The prince of the West will make a league with the returned Jews, but after the middle of the seven years of prophecy yet to be fulfilled, they will break the covenant and take possession of the Land, subjecting the people to the worst form of tyranny and idolatry that Israel has ever known. It will be a time of persecution and martyrdom (Matt. 24:9; Rev. 9:1-11).
"And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, say- ing, Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Sa- maria: behold, he is in the vine- yard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, say- ing, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken pos- session? 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"
(1 Kings 21:17-19).
After the king had taken possession of the land that belonged to Naboth, he discovered that his powerful enemy Elijah had found him again.
It is bad enough to persecute any man, but to persecute the people of God is intolerable to God. In Rev. 6:9-12; 2-5; 11:7-13; 15:2-8, and in chapter 16, the cries of the persecuted call down the judgments from heaven.
What Elijah had to say to Ahab reminds us of the "two witnesses" (Rev. 11:3-13) who will prophesy against evil, witnessing for the God of the earth for three and one-half years during the reign of the false king.
"And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thy- self to work evil in the sight of the LORD. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity" (1 Kings 21:20,21).
In days of declension and weakness God always has a man, or men, whom He has empowered to meet the wickedness of the enemy by His Word.
Elijah fearlessly prophesied to Ahab in Naboth's vineyard of Ahab's and Jezebel's disgraceful end and total destruction without an heir to the throne. "Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish" (Psa. 49:20).
In the present day, which is so near to the end of the church's history upon the earth, the forces of evil are being marshaled for the last crisis which will usher in the thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth (Rev. 10:7).
It could be that many of the actors in the coming drama are ready to take their parts. Events will happen swiftly after the true church is taken home. We will be snatched away out of that hour of temptation which is to try the habitable earth.
"And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sack- cloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tish- bite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth him- self before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house" (1 Kings 21:27-29).
Ahab is singularly marked out as an idolater who worked wickedness in Israel as none before him.
Upon the pronouncing of judgment upon Ahab's house so that there would be no remnant, Ahab repented.
We are called upon to notice how ready God is to forgive where there is repentance. As Ahab gives evidence of a change of mind, God lifts the judgment which was impending, and He spares Ahab in his day. God delights in mercy; judgment is His strange work.
God had told His people that if they sinned and turned again to God He would show mercy to them (Lev. 26:40-42).
Elijah is given to see the mercy of God in His government with Ahab.
Thus we see the repentance of Ahab by the word of Elijah. What tremendous power is found in the hand of a true servant walking under the eye of God. His word will command the conscience of all who hear him whether there is true repentance or not. This should encourage all who seek to witness for God as sent by Him.
In the present day, so near the coming of our Lord Jesu's Christ for His church, should we not be greatly concerned about the truth committed to us? May we dread the breaking of a hedge (that which separates us from the world) or the removing of any landmark (doctrine), but remain, contending for the faith until Jesus comes (Jude 3).
The story of Naboth shows the spirit in which every believer, armed with purpose of heart, should strive diligently against sin, "resisting unto blood" if necessary (Heb. 12:4).