1 Kings 21 11

1 Kings 21:11 kjv

And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

1 Kings 21:11 nkjv

So the men of his city, the elders and nobles who were inhabitants of his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them.

1 Kings 21:11 niv

So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them.

1 Kings 21:11 esv

And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them,

1 Kings 21:11 nlt

So the elders and other town leaders followed the instructions Jezebel had written in the letters.

1 Kings 21 verses

1 Kings 21 11 Meaning

This verse describes the complete and immediate compliance of the local officials in Jezreel, specifically the elders and nobles, with the wicked decree sent by Queen Jezebel. They faithfully executed her instructions, which were laid out in written letters, leading directly to the false accusation and murder of Naboth, so his vineyard could be unlawfully acquired for King Ahab.

1 Kings 21 11 Context

This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the tragic account of Naboth's vineyard. King Ahab, coveting Naboth's ancestral vineyard, had been rebuked by Naboth, who refused to sell the family inheritance, citing the Lord's prohibition against selling ancestral land (Lev 25:23-28). When Ahab sulked, Queen Jezebel, his Phoenician wife and a devotee of Baal, took matters into her own hands. She perceived Ahab's reluctance to forcefully seize the land as weakness. Jezebel then concocted a plan to secure the vineyard by legalistic yet utterly perverse means: fabricating charges of blasphemy and treason against Naboth through false witnesses, a capital offense in Israel. She wrote letters under Ahab's seal, commanding the elders and nobles of Naboth's city (Jezreel) to arrange a fast and a public accusation against Naboth. Verse 11 details their direct and complete execution of this wicked command, demonstrating the deeply entrenched corruption and fear among the leaders, prioritizing royal decree over divine law and justice.

1 Kings 21 11 Word analysis

• And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were inhabitants in his city,: This phrase identifies the specific group of individuals responsible for carrying out Jezebel's command.
  • men of his city: Refers to the citizens of Jezreel where Naboth lived.
  • elders (zĕqēnîm): In ancient Israel, elders were revered as senior men of wisdom, experience, and authority. They typically served as local judges, administrators, and custodians of justice and Mosaic Law within their communities (e.g., Deut 19:12, Ruth 4:2). Their participation here signifies a complete breakdown of moral and judicial integrity.
  • nobles (ḥorîm): These were often prominent, leading citizens, possibly from well-to-do families or holding significant social standing. Their involvement underscores that the perversion of justice permeated the highest ranks of local society. The combination of "elders" and "nobles" indicates a complete consensus among the ruling class in Jezreel to act unjustly.
  • who were inhabitants in his city: Emphasizes their proximity and local knowledge, making their betrayal of Naboth all the more personal and grievous. They were his neighbors and leaders meant to protect him.
• did as Jezebel had sent unto them,:
  • did: Implies swift and decisive action. There is no mention of hesitation, questioning, or refusal.
  • as Jezebel had sent unto them: This highlights their absolute obedience to a foreign queen, known for her idolatry and disregard for the God of Israel. Their actions signify their prioritizing human authority and royal favour over divine command and natural justice. This constitutes a severe moral failure and a profound affront to the Lord, who commands justice.
• and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.:
  • as it was written in the letters: This phrase stresses the formality and precise execution of the command. The "letters" bore royal authority (having been sealed with Ahab's signet, 1 Ki 21:8), lending a façade of legitimacy to an illicit act. The fact that the instructions were written indicates Jezebel's cunning and thoroughness, creating an official directive that could not easily be disputed. Their exact adherence to the written word points to a terrifying bureaucratic efficiency in executing evil.

1 Kings 21 11 Bonus section

The conduct of the elders and nobles in Jezreel serves as a powerful polemic against the fusion of pagan political expediency with Israelite jurisprudence. Historically, Israelite society valued land tenure through inheritance as a divinely sanctioned right, preventing the permanent dispossession of families. Jezebel's plot, and the leaders' compliance, directly assaults this fundamental aspect of Israelite social and economic justice, rooted in the Lord's covenant with Israel. Their failure highlights the spiritual crisis in the Northern Kingdom, where foreign Baal worship had eroded commitment to Yahweh's commands, making the legal system a tool for oppression rather than justice.

1 Kings 21 11 Commentary

1 Kings 21:11 succinctly captures a profound moral and spiritual collapse within the Israelite society under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. The core of this verse reveals not just an act of injustice, but a system-wide perversion. The elders and nobles of Jezreel were not common citizens; they were the very pillars of justice and societal order in their community. Their roles, explicitly defined in Mosaic Law, mandated upholding righteousness, administering fair judgment, and protecting the vulnerable. Yet, in this instance, they capitulated entirely to a tyrannical, ungodly decree.

Their immediate and unquestioning obedience to Jezebel, an idolatrous foreign queen, over the clear principles of God's Law, demonstrates a deep-seated spiritual sickness. They chose fear of human authority or the lure of royal favour over their divinely appointed duties. The chilling phrase "did as Jezebel had sent... and as it was written in the letters" underscores the cold, calculating nature of the injustice, masked by a veneer of legality. It wasn't an accidental error; it was a deliberate, collective act of judicial murder, carried out by those entrusted with safeguarding life and property.

This passage serves as a stark warning about the corrupting influence of unrighteous leadership and the danger of acquiescing to evil, even when it comes wrapped in official command. It portrays how easily foundational religious and ethical principles can be subverted when fear or ambition outweighs divine obedience. Naboth’s fate becomes a direct consequence of a society where justice is silenced, and the powerful prioritize their desires above the lives and rights of the innocent. This verse sets the stage for God's severe judgment upon Ahab and Jezebel, signifying the profound implications of their wickedness and the complicity of the community leaders.