1. Naboth owned a vineyard in Jezreel near King Ahab's palace.
2. One day, Ahab said, “Naboth, your vineyard is near my palace. Give it to me so I can turn it into a vegetable garden. I'll give you a better vineyard or pay whatever you want for yours.”
3. Naboth answered, “This vineyard has always been in my family. I won't let you have it.”
4. So Ahab went home, angry and depressed because of what Naboth had told him. He lay on his bed, just staring at the wall and refusing to eat a thing.
5. Jezebel his wife came in and asked, “What's wrong? Why won't you eat?”
6. “I asked Naboth to sell me his vineyard or to let me give him a better one,” Ahab replied. “And he told me I couldn't have it.”
25-29. When Ahab heard this, he tore his clothes and wore sackcloth day and night. He was depressed and refused to eat.Some time later, the Lord said, “Elijah, do you see how sorry Ahab is for what he did? I won't punish his family while he is still alive. I'll wait until his son is king.”No one was more determined than Ahab to disobey the Lord. And Jezebel encouraged him. Worst of all, he had worshipped idols, just as the Amorites had done before the Lord forced them out of the land and gave it to Israel.