1 Kings 21:5

KJV

¶ But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

KJV (with Strong's)

But Jezebel {H348} his wife {H802} came {H935} to him, and said {H1696} unto him, Why is thy spirit {H7307} so sad {H5620}, that thou eatest {H398} no bread {H3899}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Izevel his wife went and said to him, "Why are you so depressed that you refuse to eat?"

Berean Standard Bible

Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked, “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat?”

American Standard Version

But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 21:5 marks a critical turning turning point in the tragic account of Naboth's vineyard, introducing Queen Jezebel's ruthless intervention into King Ahab's deep despondency. Ahab's refusal to eat, stemming from his unfulfilled desire for Naboth's ancestral land, sets the stage for Jezebel's manipulative inquiry, which quickly escalates into a wicked plot to acquire the vineyard through injustice and murder, revealing the profound moral decay within the Israelite monarchy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows King Ahab's profound sulking and dejection described in [1 Kings 21:4](/1_kings/21-4 "1 Kings 21:4 - Ahab's Despondency"). Ahab had expressed an intense, covetous desire for [Naboth's vineyard](/1_kings/21-2 "1 Kings 21:2 - Ahab's Desire for Naboth's Vineyard"), strategically located near his palace in Jezreel. However, Naboth had steadfastly refused to sell or exchange it, citing the inviolable Israelite laws of ancestral inheritance, which prohibited the permanent alienation of family land, as stipulated in [Leviticus 25:23-28](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23-28 - Laws of Land Redemption"). Ahab's reaction to this principled refusal was one of profound vexation and withdrawal, leading him to lie on his bed, turn away from the wall, and refuse food. Jezebel's entrance into this scene is not one of gentle comfort but of sharp, probing inquiry, signaling her intent to take decisive, albeit ungodly, action.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jezebel, a Sidonian princess and daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, was a devout worshipper of Baal and Asherah. Her marriage to Ahab, detailed in [1 Kings 16:31](/1_kings/16-31 "1 Kings 16:31 - Ahab Marries Jezebel"), introduced rampant paganism into Israel and significantly influenced Ahab's reign. In Israelite culture, land was considered a divine inheritance, not merely a commodity, and its permanent sale was forbidden, ensuring the perpetuation of tribal and family identity. This contrasted sharply with the absolute monarchical power prevalent in pagan nations, where a king's will was law and private property rights were often disregarded. Jezebel's question in [1 Kings 21:5](/1_kings/21-5 "1 Kings 21:5 - Jezebel's Inquiry") is framed from a pagan worldview, where a king's desire should be immediately fulfilled, regardless of the rights of common citizens or the dictates of divine law.
* **Key Themes:** The interaction in this verse powerfully highlights several key themes. Firstly, it underscores **Jezebel's Dominance and Manipulation**, showcasing her forceful personality and her significant, destructive influence over King Ahab. Her direct, almost challenging question immediately establishes her as the proactive, problem-solving force in the relationship, setting the stage for her wicked scheme. Secondly, it reveals **Ahab's Weakness and Passivity**, as his deep sorrow and refusal to eat over a denied request underscore his spiritual and moral feebleness. He is easily overcome by discontent and relies on Jezebel to solve his problems, even if it means resorting to grave injustice, demonstrating a profound lack of kingly fortitude. Finally, this verse marks the **Seeds of Injustice and Abuse of Power**, as Jezebel's inquiry is not born of genuine concern but of a ruthless determination to fulfill Ahab's desires by any means necessary, regardless of divine law or moral principle, directly leading to the violation of the [Tenth Commandment](/exodus/20-17 "Exodus 20:17 - The Commandment Against Coveting") and the subsequent murder of Naboth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sad (Hebrew, _sār_):** This word conveys a sense of being "sullen," "morose," "vexed," or "displeased." It is a stronger term than simple sadness, suggesting a deep, brooding resentment or vexation that has completely consumed Ahab, affecting even his basic bodily functions like eating. It indicates a state of profound internal distress and ill temper.
* **spirit (Hebrew, _ruach_):** Here, "spirit" refers to Ahab's inner disposition, his emotional state, or his very essence. It highlights that his distress is not merely superficial but has permeated his entire being, indicating a deep-seated spiritual and emotional malaise.
* **eatest no bread:** This is a common biblical idiom signifying deep distress, mourning, or a complete withdrawal from normal life. For a king, refusing to eat was a dramatic public display of his profound discontent and inability to function, underscoring the severity of his emotional state and his perceived helplessness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Jezebel his wife came to him":** This clause immediately establishes Jezebel's active role. She is not summoned but takes the initiative to seek out Ahab, indicating her dominant personality and her intent to address his unusual behavior. Her arrival marks a shift from Ahab's passive sulking to active, albeit wicked, intervention.
* **"and said unto him":** This simple phrase highlights the directness and confrontational nature of her approach. She doesn't merely observe or comfort but engages him immediately with a question, asserting her presence and authority.
* **"Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?":** This rhetorical question, while seemingly inquisitive, is loaded with an underlying challenge and an expectation of a quick resolution. It reveals Jezebel's lack of empathy for Ahab's emotional state, focusing instead on the practical implications of his withdrawal (his inability to function as king) and setting the stage for her to take control and devise a "solution." Her question is a prelude to action, not compassion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **Literary Devices**. **Dialogue** is central, as Jezebel's direct question immediately engages the reader and reveals her character as proactive and unyielding, contrasting sharply with Ahab's passive despondency. The phrase "eatest no bread" functions as an **Idiom**, conveying Ahab's extreme distress and withdrawal from normal life without needing further explanation. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing** present; Jezebel's probing question, born not of concern but of a desire to rectify a perceived weakness in her husband, ominously foreshadows her subsequent ruthless and unjust actions to satisfy Ahab's covetousness. Finally, the verse sets up a clear **Contrast** between Ahab's weakness and Jezebel's strength of will, highlighting the dynamic of their unholy alliance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 21:5 serves as a stark theological commentary on the destructive power of unchecked desire and ungodly influence. Ahab's covetousness for Naboth's vineyard, coupled with his spiritual weakness, makes him susceptible to Jezebel's manipulative and morally bankrupt counsel. This interaction illustrates how personal discontent, when not brought before God, can open the door to grave sin and injustice. The narrative underscores the profound danger of allowing unrighteous counsel to dictate one's actions, especially when in positions of power. It highlights the clash between God's divine law, which protects the rights of individuals and the sanctity of inheritance, and the corrupting influence of absolute power exercised without moral restraint. Ultimately, it reveals the tragic consequences when human will, driven by selfish ambition and aided by wicked schemes, attempts to usurp divine order.

* [Proverbs 12:26](/proverbs/12-26 "Proverbs 12:26 - Righteous Counsel")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14 "James 1:14-15 - Desire Leading to Sin")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - The Way That Seems Right")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 1 Kings 21:5 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Ahab's sulking and refusal to eat demonstrate the destructive nature of unchecked covetousness and the emotional paralysis that can result from unfulfilled desires. It challenges us to examine how we respond when our plans are thwarted or our desires are denied. Do we succumb to bitterness, withdrawal, or passive aggression, or do we seek God's perspective and cultivate contentment? Furthermore, Jezebel's manipulative intervention serves as a powerful warning about the influence of ungodly counsel. We are called to be discerning about who we allow to speak into our lives, ensuring that our advisors encourage righteousness and wisdom, not compromise or sin. The narrative underscores the importance of guarding our hearts against covetousness and cultivating a spirit of contentment, trusting in God's provision and sovereignty rather than resorting to unrighteous means to satisfy our desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when my desires are denied or my plans are thwarted? Do I exhibit any of Ahab's sulking or withdrawal?**
* **What kind of influence do I allow into my life? Am I surrounded by those who encourage godly character, or those who might enable or even orchestrate unrighteousness?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted by covetousness, and how can I actively cultivate contentment in God's provision?**
* **How does my response to disappointment reflect my trust in God's sovereignty and goodness?**

### FAQ

**Why was Ahab so upset over a vineyard, to the point of refusing to eat?**

Answer: Ahab's extreme reaction stemmed from a combination of factors. The vineyard was not just any piece of land; it was strategically located next to his palace in Jezreel, making it ideal for a royal vegetable garden. His desire for it was intense, bordering on covetousness, a violation of the [Tenth Commandment](/exodus/20-17 "Exodus 20:17 - The Commandment Against Coveting"). Naboth's principled refusal, based on ancient Israelite law that prohibited the permanent sale of ancestral land ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")), deeply frustrated Ahab. As a king accustomed to having his desires met, this simple refusal highlighted his entitlement and profound lack of respect for divine statutes and the rights of his subjects, leading him to a state of petulant despair.

**What does Jezebel's question reveal about her character?**

Answer: Jezebel's question, "Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?" immediately reveals her pragmatic, forceful, and utterly ruthless character. She does not express empathy or concern for Ahab's emotional state; instead, her focus is on diagnosing the "problem" so she can "fix" it. This indicates her disdain for any perceived weakness in Ahab and her willingness to bypass moral and legal boundaries to achieve her objectives. Her question is a prelude to manipulation and injustice, showcasing her pagan worldview where a king's will should be absolute, regardless of divine law or human rights. Her subsequent actions in [1 Kings 21:7-16](/1_kings/21-7 "1 Kings 21:7-16 - Jezebel's Plot Against Naboth") confirm her cunning and malevolent nature.

**What is the significance of Ahab refusing to eat?**

Answer: Ahab's refusal to eat is a highly significant act, serving as a powerful biblical idiom for extreme grief, distress, or protest. For a king, such an act was a public and dramatic display of profound emotional collapse and withdrawal. It signified his inability to cope with a simple refusal and underscored his spiritual and moral weakness. This behavior demonstrated his abject despair and foreshadowed his reliance on Jezebel's ruthless intervention, highlighting his abdication of kingly responsibility and his susceptibility to ungodly influence. It paints a vivid picture of a monarch utterly consumed by his own unfulfilled desires.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Ahab, Jezebel, and Naboth's vineyard, encapsulated by Jezebel's probing question in [1 Kings 21:5](/1_kings/21-5 "1 Kings 21:5 - Jezebel's Inquiry"), finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between human covetousness and God's perfect righteousness, embodied in Jesus Christ. Ahab's insatiable desire for an earthly possession, leading to injustice and murder, stands in stark opposition to Christ's humility and self-sacrifice. While Ahab coveted Naboth's vineyard, Jesus, though "rich, yet for your sakes he became poor" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Sake")), willingly gave up His heavenly glory to redeem humanity. The unjust death of Naboth, orchestrated by a corrupt monarchy, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate unjust suffering and death of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who bore the sin of the world. Unlike Ahab, who was consumed by earthly desires, Jesus taught His followers to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")). Where Ahab's rule led to oppression and death, Christ reigns as the righteous King, establishing a kingdom "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")), where justice and peace prevail. Through Christ, believers find true contentment in Him ([Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11 "Philippians 4:11-13 - Contentment in Christ")), freed from the bondage of covetousness and the destructive influence of sin, anticipating His glorious return as the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings").

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.

Cross-References

Genesis 3:6

¶ And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

1 Kings 16:31

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

Esther 4:5

¶ Then called Esther for Hatach, [one] of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it [was], and why it [was].

Nehemiah 2:2

Wherefore the king said unto me, Why [is] thy countenance sad, seeing thou [art] not sick? this [is] nothing [else] but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,

1 Kings 21:25

But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

1 Kings 18:4

For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

2 Samuel 13:4

And he said unto him, Why [art] thou, [being] the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.