COMMENTARY

1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21
For refusing to sell his lot to King Ahab, Naboth is falsely accused and murdered so Ahab can take possession of the land. Here we have only the beginning and ending of a dramatic story involving a king, a subject, and a prophet. To understand it, one must know and tell what happens between the first and last verses of the pericope. King Ahab offers to buy or trade the lot of Naboth whose land is next to the palace for his vegetable garden. Because he received it as an inheritance, Naboth refused to sell it. Ahab goes home and Jezebel sees him pout over Naboth's refusal. In the name of the king, Jezebel orders a civic celebration honoring Naboth but has two false witnesses to testify that Naboth spoke against God and the king. For this blasphemy he was st…