1 Kings 21:17

KJV

¶ And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came to Elijah {H452} the Tishbite {H8664}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

But the word of ADONAI came to Eliyahu from Tishbe:

Berean Standard Bible

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

American Standard Version

And the word of Jehovah came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This marks a pivotal moment of divine intervention, signaling God's immediate and righteous response to the heinous injustice perpetrated by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel against Naboth. Following Naboth's murder and Ahab's covetous seizure of the vineyard, this verse declares that "the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite," setting the stage for a powerful prophetic confrontation and the pronouncement of divine judgment against the royal house, affirming God's unwavering commitment to justice and accountability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the dramatic turning point in the tragic narrative of Naboth's vineyard, detailed in [1 Kings 21](/1_kings/21 "1 Kings 21 - Naboth's Vineyard"). The preceding verses (1 Kings 21:1-16) meticulously recount King Ahab's covetous desire for Naboth's ancestral vineyard, Naboth's steadfast refusal to sell due to Mosaic Law, and Queen Jezebel's diabolical plot. Jezebel orchestrates a rigged trial, employing false witnesses to accuse Naboth of blasphemy and treason, leading to his unjust stoning and the subsequent confiscation of his land for the crown. The narrative reaches its moral nadir when Ahab, upon hearing of Naboth's death, immediately goes down to take possession of the vineyard. It is precisely at this moment of Ahab's triumph in injustice that the divine voice breaks through, interrupting his ill-gotten gain with a message of impending judgment, demonstrating God's immediate awareness and response to human wickedness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [1 Kings 21](/1_kings/21 "1 Kings 21 - Naboth's Vineyard") are set during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel in the northern kingdom of Israel (c. 874-853 BC). This period was characterized by significant apostasy, with the promotion of Baal worship by Jezebel and the widespread disregard for the covenant laws of Yahweh. The concept of ancestral land, or "inheritance" (Hebrew: _nahalah_), was deeply sacred in Israelite society, representing not merely property but a divine trust passed down through generations, tied to tribal identity and the promise of God to Abraham. Naboth's refusal to sell his vineyard was rooted in the Mosaic Law, specifically [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - Land belongs to God") and [Numbers 36:7](/numbers/36-7 "Numbers 36:7 - Land inheritance"). Jezebel's manipulation of the legal system, using false witnesses (a violation of the [Ninth Commandment](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment")) and blasphemy charges, highlights the corruption of justice under an ungodly monarchy. The king's power, though significant, was theoretically subject to God's law, a principle Ahab and Jezebel flagrantly violated.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 21:17](/1_kings/21-17 "1 Kings 21:17 - The Word of the LORD to Elijah") powerfully introduces several overarching themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Justice and Omniscience**, revealing that God is not a passive observer but actively aware of every act of injustice, even those hidden behind legal pretense. His immediate intervention demonstrates that no sin, especially the abuse of power and harm to the innocent, goes unpunished. Secondly, the verse highlights the critical role of **Prophetic Communication** in ancient Israel. God consistently uses His chosen messengers, like [Elijah](/1_kings/17-1 "1 Kings 17:1 - Elijah the Tishbite Introduced"), to deliver His authoritative word, whether of warning, judgment, or salvation, to a wayward nation and its leaders. Thirdly, it sets the stage for the theme of **Accountability for Actions**, particularly for those in positions of power. Ahab and Jezebel's egregious sins of covetousness, murder, and abuse of authority are about to be met with severe divine consequences, reinforcing the biblical principle that actions have repercussions and that rulers are held to a higher standard before God, as seen in passages like [Psalm 82:1-4](/psalm/82-1 "Psalm 82:1-4 - God Judges the Gods").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **the word of the LORD (Hebrew, _dabar YHWH'_):** This is a foundational phrase throughout the Old Testament, signifying a direct, authoritative, and often prophetic revelation from God Himself. It is not merely an idea or an impression, but a clear, spoken declaration or command that carries divine weight and ensures its fulfillment. Its sudden appearance here emphasizes God's active involvement and immediate response to Ahab's sin, indicating that the following message is not Elijah's opinion but God's sovereign decree.
* **Elijah the Tishbite (Hebrew, _'Eliyyahu ha-Tishbi'_):** The specific identification of "Elijah the Tishbite" emphasizes the prophet's unique calling and established role as God's confrontational messenger to Ahab and Jezebel. Having already faced them on Mount Carmel ([1 Kings 18](/1_kings/18 "1 Kings 18 - Elijah on Mount Carmel")) and challenged their idolatry, Elijah is the consistent voice of Yahweh in a land steeped in Baal worship. His designation underscores the divine authority behind the message he is about to deliver, ensuring that Ahab would recognize the source and gravity of the impending judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And the word of the LORD came":** This opening phrase signals a divine initiative, an active and purposeful communication from God. The Hebrew verb "came" (וַיְהִי, _vayhi_) implies a direct and immediate arrival, indicating that God's response to Ahab's sin was swift and decisive, not delayed. It underscores God's omnipresence and omniscience, demonstrating that He sees and reacts to injustice.
* **"to Elijah the Tishbite":** This specifies the recipient of the divine message. Elijah is God's chosen conduit, a prophet known for his boldness, unwavering loyalty to Yahweh, and his previous confrontations with Ahab. The Lord chooses a familiar and formidable messenger to deliver a message of such severe judgment, ensuring its impact and preventing any claim of ignorance from the king.
* **"saying":** This concluding word serves as a transition, indicating that the following verses will contain the direct, spoken content of the divine message. It sets the stage for the pronouncement of judgment against Ahab and his house, highlighting the verbal and explicit nature of God's communication.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Divine Intervention** is immediately evident, as "the word of the LORD" breaks into the human narrative, signifying God's active involvement in the affairs of humanity and His direct response to injustice. This sudden appearance of the divine voice serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for the severe judgment that Elijah is about to pronounce against Ahab and Jezebel in the subsequent verses. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition**, placing God's righteous and immediate response directly against the backdrop of Ahab's recent, unrighteous acquisition of Naboth's vineyard. This stark contrast highlights the moral chasm between human sin and divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 21:17 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His active sovereignty over human affairs. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent to the suffering of the innocent or the abuse of power by the wicked. The immediate "coming" of His word signifies His omniscience and His readiness to intervene when His moral order is violated. This verse sets in motion the principle of divine retribution, demonstrating that sin, particularly that which involves covetousness, murder, and the perversion of justice, will inevitably incur God's judgment. It underscores the biblical truth that while human schemes may succeed for a time, God ultimately holds all accountable, especially those who oppress the vulnerable.

* [1 Kings 21:19](/1_kings/21-19 "1 Kings 21:19 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab")
* [Exodus 20:17](/exodus/20-17 "Exodus 20:17 - The Tenth Commandment")
* [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 21:17 serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively engaged in the world and that His justice is both vigilant and inescapable. For believers today, this verse offers profound assurance that no injustice, whether personal or systemic, goes unnoticed by the Almighty. In a world often marked by corruption, abuse of power, and the oppression of the weak, we can find solace and strength in the knowledge that God sees, hears, and will ultimately act. This also calls us to a sober self-examination: are we, like Ahab, allowing covetousness or selfish desires to lead us into actions that harm others or violate God's principles? Furthermore, just as Elijah was called to be God's voice, we are challenged to embody courage and integrity, speaking truth to power and standing for righteousness in our spheres of influence, even when it is difficult or unpopular. Our lives should reflect a commitment to justice and compassion, knowing that we, too, are accountable before a righteous God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the swiftness of God's response in this verse challenge my perception of God's involvement in current events and personal injustices?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted by covetousness or a desire for something that is not rightfully mine, potentially leading to sin?**
* **What role do I have, as a follower of Christ, in speaking out against injustice or standing up for the vulnerable in my community or society?**
* **How does the principle of accountability, so clearly demonstrated here, impact my understanding of leadership and authority, both secular and spiritual?**

### FAQ
**Why did God wait until Ahab had taken possession of the vineyard to send Elijah?**

Answer: God's timing in [1 Kings 21:17](/1_kings/21-17 "1 Kings 21:17 - The Word of the LORD to Elijah") is highly significant and demonstrates a crucial aspect of divine justice. God did not intervene while Jezebel was plotting or while Naboth was being falsely accused, allowing the full extent of Ahab and Jezebel's sin to unfold. This allowed their covetousness to culminate in murder and the blatant seizure of innocent property. By waiting until Ahab had physically "gone down to take possession" of the vineyard (cf. [1 Kings 21:16](/1_kings/21-16 "1 Kings 21:16 - Ahab Takes Possession")), God ensured that Ahab's guilt was undeniable and complete. This timing underscores that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a direct and righteous response to fully committed sin. It highlights that God gives people space to act, but He also holds them accountable for the consequences of their choices, intervening at the precise moment when the sin is consummated.

**What is the significance of "Elijah the Tishbite" being named specifically here?**

Answer: The specific naming of "Elijah the Tishbite" in [1 Kings 21:17](/1_kings/21-17 "1 Kings 21:17 - The Word of the LORD to Elijah") is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it immediately identifies the messenger as the same prophet who has consistently stood against Ahab and Jezebel's idolatry and injustice throughout the book of [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reigns of Kings"). This continuity reinforces the idea that God's opposition to their wickedness is unwavering. Secondly, Elijah's previous confrontations, particularly on Mount Carmel ([1 Kings 18](/1_kings/18 "1 Kings 18 - Elijah on Mount Carmel")), had established his authority and credibility as Yahweh's true prophet. By sending Elijah, God ensures that Ahab would recognize the divine source and gravity of the impending message, leaving no room for doubt or excuse. It underscores that God chooses specific individuals, often those with a proven track record of faithfulness, to deliver His most critical messages.

**Does God still speak directly to people today like He did to Elijah?**

Answer: While the direct, audible "word of the LORD" to prophets like Elijah was a unique feature of the Old Testament prophetic era, God continues to speak to His people today, though primarily through different means. The primary way God communicates His will and truth to believers now is through His inspired and authoritative written Word, the Bible ([2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed")). Through the Holy Spirit, God illuminates the Scriptures, making them living and active ([Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active")) to guide, teach, and correct us. God also speaks through the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")), through the wise counsel of other believers ([Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no counsel")), and sometimes through providential circumstances. While the form of communication may differ from Elijah's experience, the principle that God desires to communicate with His people and reveal His will remains constant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "word of the LORD" coming to Elijah in [1 Kings 21:17](/1_kings/21-17 "1 Kings 21:17 - The Word of the LORD to Elijah") finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is Himself the living Word of God. Just as the word of the Lord came to prophets to confront sin and declare divine judgment, so too did the eternal Word, God the Son, "become flesh and dwell among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Jesus is the ultimate prophet, fulfilling the promise of a prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses")), who perfectly embodies and communicates God's truth. He came not only to expose the depths of human sin and injustice, as seen in His confrontations with the religious hypocrisy of His day ([Matthew 23:13-36](/matthew/23-13 "Matthew 23:13-36 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")), but also to decisively deal with it. The justice demanded by God's word against Ahab's covetousness and murder is fully satisfied in Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He bore the judgment for all sin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His resurrection, Jesus inaugurated the ultimate reign of divine justice, ensuring that every hidden thing will be brought to light and every wrong will be made right in the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")). Thus, the "word of the LORD" that came to Elijah foreshadows the coming of the Word made flesh, who perfectly reveals God's character, confronts sin, and ultimately establishes His righteous kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.