1 Kings 21:17

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

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

But the word of ADONAI came to Eliyahu from Tishbe:

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

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

Commentary

Context of 1 Kings 21:17

This pivotal verse marks a dramatic turning point in the tragic narrative of Naboth's vineyard. King Ahab, consumed by covetousness, had desired Naboth's ancestral plot of land. When Naboth refused to sell, Queen Jezebel orchestrated a wicked plot involving false witnesses and a rigged trial, leading to Naboth's unjust execution and the confiscation of his vineyard by the crown. Ahab then proceeded to take possession of the vineyard. It is at this precise moment, after Ahab's heinous act of injustice and seizure, that the divine intervention begins.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Awareness and Justice: The immediate arrival of "the word of the LORD" demonstrates God's omniscience and His unwavering commitment to justice. He sees every act of wickedness, even those committed in secret or under the guise of legal process. This verse underscores that no sin, especially against the innocent, goes unnoticed by God.
  • Prophetic Communication: God consistently uses His chosen messengers to communicate His will, warnings, and judgments. Here, Elijah the Tishbite, a prophet known for his bold confrontations with Ahab and Jezebel, is once again called to deliver a direct message from the Almighty. This highlights the vital role of prophets in ancient Israel as God's voice to a wayward nation.
  • Accountability for Actions: The verse sets the stage for the pronouncement of divine judgment against Ahab and Jezebel for their egregious sins. It reinforces the biblical principle that actions have consequences, and those in power are held to a higher standard of accountability before God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the word of the LORD" is a common and significant expression in the Old Testament, translating the Hebrew dabar YHWH (Χ“Φ°ΦΌΧ‘Φ·Χ¨ Χ™Φ°Χ”Χ•ΦΈΧ”). This signifies a direct, authoritative, and often prophetic revelation from God Himself. It is not merely a thought or an impression but a clear, spoken command or declaration. The mention of "Elijah the Tishbite" specifically identifies the prophet, emphasizing his unique calling and the divine authority behind his upcoming message.

Related Scriptures

This verse serves as a direct lead-in to Elijah's powerful prophecy of judgment against Ahab and his house, outlining the severe consequences for their actions. It also echoes the pattern of God raising up prophets like Jeremiah or Ezekiel to confront sin and declare His truth. The narrative of Naboth's vineyard itself is a stark example of the warnings against covetousness found in the Tenth Commandment.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Kings 21:17 offers several powerful insights:

  1. God is Just: Be assured that God sees all injustice, whether personal or systemic. He is not indifferent to suffering or wickedness.
  2. God Speaks: God continues to communicate His truth through His Word and through faithful messengers. We are called to listen and obey.
  3. Accountability: This verse is a sober reminder that there are consequences for sin, especially for those who abuse power or harm the innocent. It encourages self-examination and repentance.
  4. Courage to Confront: Just as Elijah was sent to confront Ahab, we are called to speak truth to power and stand for righteousness, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 9:12

    When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

  • Isaiah 26:21

    For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

  • 2 Kings 1:15

    And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.

  • 2 Kings 1:16

    And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, [is it] not because [there is] no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

  • 2 Kings 5:26

    And he said unto him, Went not mine heart [with thee], when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? [Is it] a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
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