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1 Kings 21:10

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And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And [then] carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

And set {H3427} two {H8147} men {H582}, sons {H1121} of Belial {H1100}, before him, to bear witness {H5749} against him, saying {H559}, Thou didst blaspheme {H1288} God {H430} and the king {H4428}. And then carry him out {H3318}, and stone {H5619} him, that he may die {H4191}.

Have two good-for-nothing men sit opposite him, and have them accuse him publicly of cursing God and the king. Then take him outside and stone him to death."

But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

and set two men, base fellows, before him, and let them bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst curse God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him to death.

Commentary

1 Kings 21:10 describes a pivotal moment in Queen Jezebel's plot against Naboth, detailing the specific instructions given to orchestrate his murder under the guise of legal execution. This verse reveals the depths of Jezebel's cunning and disregard for divine and human law.

Context

This verse is the culmination of Jezebel's scheme to acquire Naboth's vineyard for King Ahab. Ahab had coveted Naboth's ancestral land, which Naboth refused to sell or exchange, citing the Israelite law against selling inherited land (Leviticus 25:23). Frustrated, Ahab sulked, prompting Jezebel to promise him the vineyard. Her method, as seen here, was to use the legal system to commit a grave injustice. She exploited the requirement for two or more witnesses for capital offenses, hiring "sons of Belial" (worthless men) to give false testimony. The charge of blaspheming "God and the king" was a capital crime in Israel, punishable by stoning outside the city walls, ensuring Naboth's swift and brutal end and the confiscation of his property by the crown.

Key Themes

  • Perversion of Justice: The verse vividly illustrates the abuse of power and the manipulation of legal and religious institutions for selfish gain. Jezebel orchestrated a sham trial, turning justice into an instrument of murder.
  • False Witness: The hiring of "sons of Belial" to bear false witness directly violated the Ninth Commandment against false testimony. This act underscores the moral decay in Ahab and Jezebel's kingdom.
  • Blasphemy: The accusation of blasphemy against both God and the king was a severe charge designed to ensure Naboth's execution. It highlights the dual nature of Israelite law, where reverence for God and loyalty to His anointed king were intertwined.
  • Consequences of Covetousness: Ahab's initial desire for Naboth's vineyard (covetousness) set in motion this tragic sequence of events, demonstrating how one sin can lead to a cascade of others, including deception, injustice, and murder.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sons of Belial" is significant. Belial (בְלִיַּעַל, bĕliyya‘al) literally means "worthlessness" or "wickedness." Thus, "sons of Belial" refers to men who are utterly worthless, wicked, and lawless, devoted to evil. This term is used throughout the Old Testament to describe scoundrels and villains (Deuteronomy 13:13, Judges 19:22). Their character perfectly suited Jezebel's nefarious purpose.

Practical Application

This tragic narrative serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of unchecked power, the perversion of justice, and the destructive nature of covetousness. It reminds us of the importance of:

  • Upholding Truth and Justice: We are called to be advocates for righteousness and to resist systems or individuals that twist truth for selfish ends.
  • Integrity in Leadership: Leaders, whether in government, business, or the church, bear a heavy responsibility to act with integrity and fairness, recognizing that abuse of power has devastating consequences.
  • Guarding Against Covetousness: The story of Naboth's vineyard highlights how a desire for what belongs to another can lead to grave sin and suffering, emphasizing the wisdom of the Tenth Commandment.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Exodus 22:28 (6 votes)

    Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

  • Acts 6:11 (5 votes)

    Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.

  • Leviticus 24:15 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.

  • Leviticus 24:16 (4 votes)

    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 19:15 (3 votes)

    One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

  • Deuteronomy 13:13 (3 votes)

    [Certain] men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

  • Matthew 26:59 (2 votes)

    Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;