1 Kings 21 15

1 Kings 21:15 kjv

And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.

1 Kings 21:15 nkjv

And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, "Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead."

1 Kings 21:15 niv

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead."

1 Kings 21:15 esv

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, "Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead."

1 Kings 21:15 nlt

When Jezebel heard the news, she said to Ahab, "You know the vineyard Naboth wouldn't sell you? Well, you can have it now! He's dead!"

1 Kings 21 verses

1 Kings 21 15 Meaning

1 Kings 21:15 reveals Queen Jezebel's immediate and ruthless reaction upon learning of Naboth's fraudulent execution. She promptly instructs her husband, King Ahab, to seize possession of Naboth's vineyard. Her command highlights the cold, calculated culmination of her evil plot, asserting that since Naboth is deceased, the primary obstacle to Ahab's desire has been removed.

1 Kings 21 15 Context

This verse immediately follows the description of Naboth's wrongful death. King Ahab had desired Naboth's vineyard but Naboth, in adherence to Israelite law which prohibited the permanent sale of ancestral land, refused to part with his inheritance. A sulking Ahab withdrew, but his queen, Jezebel, took matters into her own hands. She orchestrated a vile plot, using false witnesses and a perversion of justice to accuse Naboth of blasphemy and treason, leading to his public stoning. Verse 15 marks the turning point where the crime is complete, and the usurping of property, driven by pure covetousness and defiance of God's law, is set in motion by Jezebel. Historically, the narrative highlights the deep tension in the Northern Kingdom of Israel between the traditional Yahwistic covenantal law and the corrupt, despotic practices imported by Jezebel from Phoenician polytheism, exemplified by the disregard for life and sacred land rights.

1 Kings 21 15 Word analysis

• And when Jezebel heard: Jezebel, transliterated from Hebrew as 'Iyzebhel (אִיזֶבֶל), a name perhaps meaning "where is the prince?" or related to "Baal exalts," was a Phoenician princess and devotee of Baal. Her immediate hearing indicates she was awaiting news, underscoring her direct involvement and control over the malicious scheme. Her agency is prominent; she is the instigator of action.
• that Naboth had been stoned and was dead: This phrase confirms the execution. Stoning (ragam רָגַם) was a form of capital punishment, usually reserved for offenses like blasphemy or idolatry, crimes falsely attributed to Naboth. The repeated affirmation "was dead" (meth מֵת) emphasizes the finality of the wicked act, making the land now available for seizure.
• Jezebel said to Ahab: This demonstrates Jezebel's authoritative posture and Ahab's subservience. Despite being king, Ahab consistently follows her lead in matters of injustice, reflecting his moral weakness and spiritual compromise. She issues commands to the head of the state.
• “Arise,”: This imperative, qum (קוּם), often signals readiness for immediate action. Here, it conveys Jezebel's eagerness for Ahab to take advantage of the situation without delay, characteristic of her ruthless efficiency.
• “take possession”: The Hebrew word yerash (יָרַשׁ), often translated as "inherit" or "possess," implies a rightful claim. Here, it is used in an ironic and deeply corrupted sense, as possession is taken not by inheritance or lawful purchase, but through murder and injustice, a complete perversion of divine law and custom.
• “of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite”: The vineyard (kerem כֶּרֶם) represents not merely land, but Naboth's ancestral inheritance, a legacy rooted in Israel's covenant with God concerning land distribution and its inalienability (Lev 25:23). "Jezreelite" identifies Naboth with his specific heritage and home, adding to the crime's significance.
• “which he refused to give you for money,”: This statement from Jezebel rationalizes their actions. It presents Naboth's righteous refusal to sell (rooted in God's law regarding ancestral land) as an act of stubbornness or defiance, justifying his elimination and the subsequent seizure of the vineyard.
• “for Naboth is not alive, but dead.”: This redundant statement is chilling. The doubling down on "not alive, but dead" reinforces the definitive elimination of Naboth and acts as a twisted justification. It coldly asserts that the 'problem' has been resolved, making the acquisition of the vineyard possible, unhindered by legal or moral concerns in Jezebel's eyes. It underscores her total disregard for human life and justice.

1 Kings 21 15 Bonus section

The vineyard of Naboth can be seen as a microcosm of Israel's inheritance as God's people (compare Isa 5:1-7, where Israel is God's vineyard). Jezebel's actions in seizing Naboth's land through murder represent the paganistic rulers' attempt to usurp God's people and His sovereign control, imposing their will over divine order. This narrative starkly contrasts the Canaanite/Phoenician worldview of absolute monarchical power and personal divine favor for kings (which Jezebel embodied) with the Mosaic covenantal understanding of land and justice where even the king was under God's law. The swiftness of Jezebel's response indicates a premeditated certainty that the plan would succeed and her total disregard for the legal and spiritual sanctity of Israelite life and land ownership.

1 Kings 21 15 Commentary

1 Kings 21:15 is a concise but profoundly significant verse that serves as the wicked climax of Jezebel’s manipulative plot. It exposes the profound moral corruption within Ahab’s monarchy, primarily driven by Jezebel’s foreign and anti-Yahwistic worldview. Her immediate command to "take possession" underscores her audacity and belief in unchecked royal power, diametrically opposed to the covenantal law of Israel, which limited even kings. The cold, factual declaration of Naboth's death serves as a justification for illegal appropriation, a perverse triumph over justice, illustrating the destructive consequences of covetousness when combined with power and a disdain for divine law. The verse is a powerful commentary on how unrighteous authority, enabled by a morally weak leader like Ahab, can pervert legal processes and commit murder for personal gain, revealing the utter spiritual and moral depravity that plagued the Northern Kingdom under Ahab and Jezebel. This heinous act invites divine judgment, setting the stage for Elijah's confrontation and the eventual downfall of Ahab's dynasty.