1 Kings 21:4

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

And Ahab {H256} came {H935} into his house {H1004} heavy {H5620} and displeased {H2198} because of the word {H1697} which Naboth {H5022} the Jezreelite {H3158} had spoken {H1696} to him: for he had said {H559}, I will not give {H5414} thee the inheritance {H5159} of my fathers {H1}. And he laid him down {H7901} upon his bed {H4296}, and turned away {H5437} his face {H6440}, and would eat {H398} no bread {H3899}.

Ach'av went home resentful and depressed at what Navot the Yizre'eli had said to him, since he had said, "I won't give you my ancestral heritage." He lay down on his bed, turned his face away and refused to eat.

So Ahab went to his palace, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had told him, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat.

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

Commentary

Context of Ahab's Displeasure

This verse introduces a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Ahab of Israel, one of the most wicked kings according to biblical accounts. Ahab, residing in his palace in Jezreel, desired the vineyard of Naboth, a local Jezreelite, because it was conveniently located next to his royal residence. Naboth's refusal was not out of disrespect, but adherence to ancient Israelite law, which held ancestral land (the "inheritance of my fathers") as sacred and generally inalienable. This land was seen as a divine trust, passed down through generations, and not to be permanently sold (Leviticus 25:23). Ahab's extreme reaction—sulking on his bed, turning away his face, and refusing to eat—reveals his petulant and entitled character, a stark contrast to the steadfast Naboth.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Covetousness and Entitlement: Ahab's deep dissatisfaction stems from his inability to acquire what he desires, highlighting the sin of covetousness (Exodus 20:17). His royal power led him to believe he was entitled to anything he wanted, even at the expense of another's rights.
  • Sanctity of Inheritance: Naboth's unwavering stance underscores the profound importance of ancestral land in Israelite culture and law. It was more than property; it was a connection to family, tribe, and God's covenant promises.
  • The Power of Unchecked Desire: Ahab's childish tantrum foreshadows the escalating injustice and violence that will follow. This verse perfectly illustrates how an unfulfilled desire can lead to bitterness, anger, and ultimately, grave sin, especially when influenced by others like Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 21:5).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "heavy and displeased" translates a Hebrew expression (סַר וְזָעֵף, sar v'za'ef) that conveys a sense of being sullen, vexed, or ill-humored. It paints a vivid picture of Ahab's gloomy and resentful mood. The emphasis on "the inheritance of my fathers" (נַחֲלַת אֲבֹתַי, nachalat avotai) highlights the legal and religious significance of Naboth's refusal, rooted in the foundational laws concerning land distribution and family patrimony in Israel.

Practical Application

Ahab's response in this verse serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of covetousness and unchecked desires. When we allow our wants to dictate our happiness, we become vulnerable to frustration and bitterness when those desires are unfulfilled. This passage encourages us to:

  • Contentment: Cultivate contentment with what we have, rather than being consumed by what we lack.
  • Respect for Others' Rights: Acknowledge and respect the legitimate rights and possessions of others, even when they conflict with our own desires.
  • Maturity in Disappointment: Learn to handle disappointment with grace and maturity, rather than resorting to petulance or allowing negative emotions to fester and lead to sinful actions. The tragic events that unfold after this verse, culminating in Elijah's prophecy against Ahab, show the severe consequences of such unchecked desires.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 20:43 (5 votes)

    And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.

  • James 1:14 (3 votes)

    But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

  • Ecclesiastes 6:9 (2 votes)

    Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Habakkuk 2:9 (2 votes)

    Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

  • Habakkuk 2:12 (2 votes)

    Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

  • 2 Samuel 13:2 (2 votes)

    And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she [was] a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

  • Numbers 22:13 (2 votes)

    And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.