1 Kings 21:11

And the men of his city, [even] the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, [and] as it [was] written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

And the men {H582} of his city {H5892}, even the elders {H2205} and the nobles {H2715} who were the inhabitants {H3427} in his city {H5892}, did {H6213} as Jezebel {H348} had sent {H7971} unto them, and as it was written {H3789} in the letters {H5612} which she had sent {H7971} unto them.

The leaders and notables of the city he lived in did as Izevel had written in the letters she sent to them.

So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them.

And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, according as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

Commentary

Context

1 Kings 21:11 falls within the dramatic narrative of King Ahab's covetous desire for Naboth's vineyard and Queen Jezebel's ruthless plot to acquire it for him. The story begins with Ahab's initial request to Naboth, who righteously refused to sell his ancestral inheritance. Annoyed, Ahab sulked, prompting Jezebel to take matters into her own hands. She orchestrated a scheme involving false accusations of blasphemy against God and the king. This verse specifically details the immediate and chilling obedience of the city's leaders—the elders and nobles of Jezreel—to Jezebel's wicked command, as delivered through her letters.

Key Themes

  • Abuse of Authority and Power: The verse starkly illustrates how positions of leadership, meant to uphold justice and protect the innocent, were instead perverted to facilitate a heinous crime. The elders and nobles, holding significant influence in the community, became tools of Jezebel's tyranny.
  • Moral Cowardice and Complicity: The readiness of the city's leaders to carry out Jezebel's decree highlights a profound moral failure. Whether out of fear of the queen, desire for favor, or a general corruption of their society, they actively participated in the injustice against Naboth, rather than standing for truth or protecting an innocent citizen. This echoes the warning about a ruler who hearkens to lies.
  • Corrupt Justice System: Jezebel's plot manipulated the legal and religious processes of Israel. The elders and nobles were complicit in turning a solemn fast and a judicial process into a sham designed to murder an innocent man. This perversion of justice leads directly to Naboth's wrongful death.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "elders" (Hebrew: zĕqēnîm) and "nobles" (Hebrew: ḥōrîm) refer to the respected and leading citizens of the city. The zĕqēnîm were typically older, experienced men who served as judges and administrators, while the ḥōrîm were prominent, often wealthy, individuals. Their collective obedience underscores the pervasive influence of Jezebel's power and the depth of moral decay in Jezreel. The phrase "did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters" emphasizes their full compliance with her detailed instructions, which included proclaiming a fast and seating two false witnesses against Naboth.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility that comes with authority and the dangers of compromising one's integrity.

  • Accountability in Leadership: Those in positions of power, whether in government, business, or community, have a moral obligation to uphold justice and resist corruption. Their actions have far-reaching consequences.
  • Standing Against Injustice: The story challenges us to consider our own response when confronted with injustice or pressure to conform to wickedness. Do we remain silent, or do we stand for truth and righteousness, even when it is difficult or unpopular?
  • The Slippery Slope of Compromise: The elders' quick obedience shows how easily individuals can be drawn into complicity with evil, often beginning with small compromises that lead to greater wrongdoing.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 2:16

    ¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

  • 2 Kings 10:6

    Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye [be] mine, and [if] ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, [being] seventy persons, [were] with the great men of the city, which brought them up.

  • 2 Kings 10:7

    And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him [them] to Jezreel.

  • Exodus 1:21

    And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:21

    And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

  • Micah 6:16

    For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.

  • Leviticus 19:15

    Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: [but] in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
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