1 Kings 21:7

And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, [and] eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

And Jezebel {H348} his wife {H802} said {H559} unto him, Dost thou now govern {H6213} the kingdom {H4410} of Israel {H3478}? arise {H6965}, and eat {H398} bread {H3899}, and let thine heart {H3820} be merry {H3190}: I will give {H5414} thee the vineyard {H3754} of Naboth {H5022} the Jezreelite {H3158}.

"Are you the king of Isra'el or not?" asked his wife Izevel. "Get up, eat some food, and cheer up! I will give you the vineyard of Navot the Yizre'eli."

But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thy heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

Commentary

1 Kings 21:7 KJV captures a pivotal moment in the tragic story of Naboth's vineyard, revealing the wicked character of Queen Jezebel and her corrupting influence over King Ahab. After King Ahab sulks because Naboth refuses to sell his ancestral vineyard, Jezebel steps in with a chilling display of manipulative power.

Context

This verse follows Ahab's intense desire for Naboth's vineyard in Jezreel, which Naboth rightfully refused to sell or exchange, citing the Israelite law against permanently alienating family inheritance (Leviticus 25:23). Ahab's resulting despair leads Jezebel to mock his perceived weakness and assert her own ruthless authority. Her question, "Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel?" is a sarcastic challenge to Ahab's kingship, implying he is not acting like a king if he cannot simply take what he wants.

Key Themes

  • Abuse of Power: Jezebel demonstrates a profound contempt for justice and legitimate authority. She believes royal power should be absolute and used to satisfy any desire, even if it means subverting law and morality.
  • Covetousness and Injustice: The verse is a direct result of Ahab's covetousness (Exodus 20:17), which Jezebel is all too willing to facilitate through flagrant injustice. Her promise, "I will give thee the vineyard," sets the stage for a heinous plot.
  • Jezebel's Dominance and Wickedness: This verse powerfully illustrates Jezebel's strong, decisive, and utterly unprincipled character. She is the driving force behind the evil, contrasting sharply with Ahab's passive despair and highlighting her readiness to commit any atrocity for personal gain or to assert control.
  • Disregard for Divine Law: Jezebel's actions show a blatant disregard for God's covenant laws, which were meant to protect the inheritance and rights of every Israelite. Her scheme is a direct affront to divine order.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel?" (Hebrew: הַאַתָּה עַתָּה מֶלֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל) is a sharp rhetorical question. It's Jezebel's way of shaming Ahab, implying that a true king of Israel should not be thwarted by a commoner, nor should he be depressed over such a trivial matter. It underscores her pagan worldview, where might makes right, contrasting sharply with the covenantal kingship God intended for Israel.

Strategic Cross-References

  • The full account of Ahab's desire and Naboth's steadfastness is found in 1 Kings 21:1-6.
  • Jezebel's subsequent plot to murder Naboth is detailed in 1 Kings 21:8-14.
  • The divine judgment pronounced against Ahab and Jezebel by Elijah for this injustice is recorded in 1 Kings 21:19-24.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful warning against:

  1. Unchecked Desire: It illustrates how covetousness, when acted upon, can lead to grave sin and injustice.
  2. The Corrupting Influence of Ungodly Counsel: Ahab's weakness and Jezebel's wickedness combine to produce immense evil, highlighting the danger of surrounding oneself with those who promote unrighteousness.
  3. Abuse of Authority: It reminds us that power, whether political, social, or personal, must be exercised with justice and respect for God's laws and the rights of others.
The story of Naboth's vineyard is a timeless reminder that God sees and judges all acts of injustice, even those committed by the most powerful.

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Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 4:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was] power; but they had no comforter.

  • 1 Kings 21:15 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.

  • 1 Kings 21:16 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

  • Proverbs 30:31 (2 votes)

    A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom [there is] no rising up.

  • Daniel 5:19 (2 votes)

    And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

  • Daniel 5:21 (2 votes)

    And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling [was] with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and [that] he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

  • Micah 2:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.