1 Kings 21:1-16

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Naboth’s Vineyard

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God allows innocent people to suffer.

  2. The pleasures of sin are only for a season.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. How much money would it take to get you to compromise?

  2. Are you a wife like Jezebel?

QUESTIONS

  1. Why wouldn’t Naboth sell his vineyard to King Ahab?

  2. What was the result of Naboth’s refusal to sell his vineyard?

  3. Does God allow innocent people to suffer? Was Naboth an example of this? Explain.

  4. Did Ahab enjoy the “fruits of his labor” concerning Naboth’s vineyard?

  5. Does everyone have a price? Does everyone sell out or compromise?

ANSWERS

  1. Under the Law the land was to remain in the family, never to be sold outside the tribe. See Numbers 36:9. Naboth was a godly Hebrew, and he would not sell or exchange his land for any price, even for the king.

  2. He was killed as a result of a conspiracy by Queen Jezebel. She arranged for false witnesses to accuse Naboth of blasphemy and treason. He was taken out and stoned, and Ahab took possession of his vineyard.

  3. Yes, God allows the innocent to suffer, and we don’t always know why. Sometimes people suffer because of their own fault, and sometimes God is using the suffering for discipline. In the case of Naboth, it would seem that God used his suffering as an object lesson for those of us who follow. The truth in this lesson is that the king and queen committed a wrongful act because of their selfishness, callously hurting an innocent person. Because of their desire for immediate gratification, however, they suffered far more in the end than did Naboth. Naboth was faithful to God’s word and will receive his reward (Matthew 5:10).

  4. “Ahab went down to take possession of the vineyard” 1 Kings 21:16. But the pleasures of his sin were only for a season. See Hebrews 11:25- 26. Ahab received his first just reward during battle (1 Kings 22:34-38). And he will receive his final just reward when he stands before God.

  5. Naboth could have lived richly by selling his vineyard, but the word of the Lord meant more to him than earthly riches, and he stood firm. He did not have a price, or sell out or compromise.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. When you see innocent people suffering, do you ever blame God?

  2. Ponder what Ahab and Jezebel did to Naboth. Have you observed a similar situation?

  3. Are you harboring some secret sin in your life? Is the pleasure worth it? Think of this in light of eternity.

CHALLENGE

  1. What kind of a spouse (roommate, friend) are you? How do you influence those who are close to you?

  2. What it would take for you to sell out or compromise the word of the Lord? There will be any number of temptations along the way with friends and family, at work, and in other situations, even within the church.

  3. What is your response when you don’t get your way? Are you like Ahab? (See 1 Kings 20:43; 21:4)

KEY VERSES

  • “The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!” 1 Kings 21:3

  • “Ahab went to his house sullen and displeased...” 1 Kings 20:43; 21:4

1 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid1 KINGS 21:1-16