1 Kings 21 16

1 Kings 21:16 kjv

And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

1 Kings 21:16 nkjv

So it was, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

1 Kings 21:16 niv

When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth's vineyard.

1 Kings 21:16 esv

And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

1 Kings 21:16 nlt

So Ahab immediately went down to the vineyard of Naboth to claim it.

1 Kings 21 verses

1 Kings 21 16 Meaning

Upon receiving word that Naboth was dead—a death orchestrated through Jezebel's machinations—King Ahab immediately arose and proceeded to the vineyard of Naboth with the intent to claim it for his own. This swift action reveals his eager desire to unlawfully seize property acquired through murder, highlighting his profound covetousness and complicity in the grave injustice.

1 Kings 21 16 Context

This verse occurs immediately after Jezebel, King Ahab's queen, successfully orchestrated the judicial murder of Naboth the Jezreelite. Previously, Ahab had desired Naboth's ancestral vineyard, which Naboth refused to sell or exchange because it was his family inheritance, protected under Israelite law. Disgruntled, Ahab withdrew, but Jezebel intervened, employing false witnesses to accuse Naboth of blasphemy and treason, leading to his stoning outside the city gates. The cultural context underscores the deep significance of land ownership in ancient Israel as a divine gift and an inalienable inheritance, a principle rooted in the Mosaic Law (e.g., Lev 25). Kings in Israel, unlike pagan rulers, were meant to be subject to God's law. Ahab's actions, initiated by covetous desire and culminating in the illegal seizure of property through state-sanctioned murder, represents a profound subversion of divine justice and kingship, embodying the pervasive moral corruption during his reign, which was intertwined with his idolatrous practices (Baal worship).

1 Kings 21 16 Word analysis

• As soon as: Hebrew "kᵊ-" (כִּ) which often means "as soon as," "when," or "like." Here, it signifies immediate, unhesitating action, reflecting Ahab's eager anticipation of Naboth's demise and his readiness to seize the vineyard.
• Ahab heard: The verb "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama') in Hebrew often means more than mere audition; it implies understanding, attention, and often, obedience. In this context, it highlights Ahab's active reception and recognition of the desired news that cleared the way for his transgression.
• that Naboth was dead: Hebrew "מֵת" (meth), simply "dead." This direct statement, conveyed to Ahab, signifies the successful completion of the wicked plot against Naboth's life, fulfilling the condition necessary for Ahab to take action.
• Ahab got up: Hebrew "קָם" (qam), "arose," "stood up." This verb indicates an immediate and decisive change in posture and readiness for action. It conveys a sense of eager haste, showing no sign of regret, remorse, or even feigned grief, only eagerness to realize his illicit desire.
• and went down: Hebrew "יָרַד" (yarad), "descended." Geographically, Jezreel (where Naboth's vineyard was) was likely at a lower elevation than Samaria (Ahab's capital), hence a literal descent. Symbolically, this action marks Ahab's deeper descent into sin and moral corruption.
• to take possession: Hebrew "לָרֶשֶׁת" (lareshet), the infinitive construct from the root יָרַשׁ (yarash), meaning "to inherit," "to dispossess," or "to take possession." While this term can have legitimate uses, here it describes an illegal usurpation under the guise of an inheritance that was unjustly obtained. It underscores the ultimate objective of the crime—to seize Naboth's legitimate inheritance.
• of the vineyard of Naboth: Hebrew "כֶּרֶם נָבוֹת" (kerem Navot). The "vineyard" (כֶּרֶם, kerem) represents a prime agricultural asset, often symbolizing a blessing and a valued inheritance in Israelite culture. By seizing Naboth's vineyard, Ahab was directly violating the sacred ancestral land rights established by divine law, not just committing an act of theft but defying the covenant principles.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab got up and went down": This phrase powerfully illustrates Ahab's character. His reaction is immediate and purposeful. There is no pause, no reflection, no grief, but rather an eager and swift movement towards the ill-gotten gain. It highlights his direct complicity in the outcome, even if Jezebel was the instigator. The speed and direction of his movement are crucial: he doesn't mourn but moves to claim.
• "to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth": This reveals the singular motivation behind the entire tragic episode. The ultimate goal was possession, fueled by covetousness. This phrase solidifies Ahab's guilt as a beneficiary of an atrocity. The "vineyard of Naboth" itself represents a personal and ancestral inheritance, legally protected by God's covenant laws, making Ahab's act not just theft but a direct affront to divine order and justice.

1 Kings 21 16 Bonus section

The immediate "getting up and going down" by Ahab speaks volumes about his unholy impatience and readiness to reap the benefits of the sin Jezebel committed on his behalf. This swiftness is a literary device highlighting Ahab's moral degeneration. The incident is not merely about a king seizing property; it is a profound demonstration of the corrupting influence of idolatry (Ahab's embrace of Baalism) on governance and justice in Israel. Kings like Ahab were supposed to be Yahweh's vice-regents, administering justice according to His law (Deut 17:18-20), yet he embodies the direct opposite. The narrative of Naboth's vineyard serves as a pivotal point, bringing the ongoing moral decay under Ahab's reign to a dramatic head and directly triggering the severe prophetic judgment by Elijah that follows in the subsequent verses. It is a polemic against the arbitrary power exercised by monarchs, particularly those influenced by foreign, pagan ideologies that disregarded the sacredness of property and human life.

1 Kings 21 16 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the dark culmination of Ahab's covetousness and Jezebel's malevolent execution. Ahab's swift movement to seize Naboth's vineyard upon hearing of his death underscores his moral bankruptcy; his passivity in preventing the murder is starkly contrasted with his active eagerness in benefiting from it. This act of dispossessing Naboth highlights a gross violation of both human justice and divine law concerning inherited land in Israel. It is a stark example of corrupt power using official mechanisms (false testimony, legal execution) to legitimize injustice for personal gain, ultimately demonstrating the king's deep contempt for the covenant God had established with His people and their land. The immediacy of Ahab's action reveals a heart hardened by greed and a kingship that has forsaken its divinely appointed role of upholding justice for one of oppression. This sin of covetousness, leading to murder and theft, provokes the direct intervention of the Lord through Elijah, ushering in severe judgment against Ahab's house.