1 Kings 21:13

And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, [even] against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

And there came {H935} in two {H8147} men {H582}, children {H1121} of Belial {H1100}, and sat {H3427} before him: and the men {H582} of Belial {H1100} witnessed {H5749} against him, even against Naboth {H5022}, in the presence of the people {H5971}, saying {H559}, Naboth {H5022} did blaspheme {H1288} God {H430} and the king {H4428}. Then they carried him forth {H3318} out {H2351} of the city {H5892}, and stoned {H5619} him with stones {H68}, that he died {H4191}.

The two good-for-nothing men came in and sat opposite him, and these scoundrels publicly accused Navot, saying, "Navot cursed God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death,

And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.

And the two men, the base fellows, came in and sat before him: and the base fellows bare witness against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did curse God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him to death with stones.

Commentary

1 Kings 21:13 details the culmination of Queen Jezebel’s wicked plot to seize Naboth’s vineyard. After King Ahab coveted the vineyard and Naboth refused to sell his ancestral inheritance (in accordance with Mosaic law), Jezebel took matters into her own hands. She orchestrated a false accusation, leading to Naboth’s unjust execution.

Context

This verse is the tragic climax of a sinister scheme. King Ahab's covetousness for Naboth's vineyard led to his sulking, which prompted Jezebel to intervene. She devised a plan to acquire the land by manipulating the legal system. Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab's name, commanding the elders and nobles of Naboth’s city to proclaim a fast and set Naboth on high among the people. The purpose was to stage a public trial where false witnesses would condemn him, thereby allowing the state to confiscate his property.

Key Themes

  • Abuse of Power and Injustice: Jezebel, wielding royal authority, perverted justice for personal gain, demonstrating how unchecked power can lead to severe moral corruption and the oppression of the innocent.
  • False Witness and Perjury: The "children of Belial" presented fabricated testimony, resulting in an innocent man's death. This is a direct and egregious violation of the Ninth Commandment against bearing false witness.
  • Consequences of Covetousness: Ahab's initial desire for Naboth's vineyard (see Exodus 20:17) set in motion this chain of events, illustrating how unchecked desire can lead to profound sin, violence, and disregard for divine law.
  • Contempt for God's Law: The entire plot disregarded divine law concerning land inheritance, the administration of justice, and the sanctity of human life, highlighting the spiritual apostasy prevalent in Israel under Ahab and Jezebel.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Children of Belial": The Hebrew phrase `ben-beliyya'al` literally means "sons of worthlessness" or "sons of wickedness." It's a strong term for depraved, lawless individuals utterly devoid of moral character, often associated with rebellion and evil deeds. These were men easily swayed by bribery to commit perjury.
  • "Blaspheme God and the king": To `blaspheme` God (`barak` in Hebrew, here used in the sense of cursing or reviling) was a capital offense under Mosaic law (see Leviticus 24:16). Accusing Naboth of cursing both God and the king was a calculated charge designed to ensure his death and justify the confiscation of his property.

Practical Application

The story of Naboth’s vineyard serves as a timeless warning and a call to action:

  • Upholding Truth and Justice: This narrative underscores the critical importance of truthfulness and integrity in all aspects of life, especially within legal and governmental systems. It calls believers to stand for righteousness and advocate against the perversion of justice.
  • Guarding Against Covetousness: Ahab's desire for Naboth's vineyard escalated into murder, demonstrating the destructive power of unchecked covetousness. It reminds us to be content with what we have and to guard our hearts against sinful desires.
  • God's Ultimate Justice: Though Naboth suffered an unjust death, God does not ignore such wickedness. The subsequent divine judgment pronounced upon Ahab and Jezebel (as seen in 1 Kings 21:23 and fulfilled in 2 Kings 9:36) demonstrates that God sees all and will ultimately bring justice and retribution.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 2 Kings 9:26

    Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take [and] cast him into the plat [of ground], according to the word of the LORD.

  • Malachi 3:5

    And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Exodus 20:16

    Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

  • Leviticus 24:11

    And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name [of the LORD], and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name [was] Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)

  • Leviticus 24:16

    And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, [and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the LORD], shall be put to death.

  • Deuteronomy 5:20

    Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

  • Proverbs 19:9

    ¶ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall perish.
← Back