1 Kings 21 5

1 Kings 21:5 kjv

But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

1 Kings 21:5 nkjv

But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, "Why is your spirit so sullen that you eat no food?"

1 Kings 21:5 niv

His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?"

1 Kings 21:5 esv

But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, "Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?"

1 Kings 21:5 nlt

"What's the matter?" his wife Jezebel asked him. "What's made you so upset that you're not eating?"

1 Kings 21 verses

1 Kings 21 5 Meaning

1 Kings 21:5 depicts Jezebel confronting her husband King Ahab regarding his evident distress. She inquires why his spirit is so troubled that he refuses to eat. This verse serves as a critical juncture, revealing Ahab's state of deep dejection following Naboth's refusal to sell his vineyard, and setting the stage for Jezebel's sinister intervention and subsequent scheme against Naboth. It highlights the direct personal influence of Jezebel over Ahab and her characteristic assertiveness in probing his emotional state to gain control of the situation.

1 Kings 21 5 Context

1 Kings chapter 21 introduces the conflict over Naboth's vineyard. Ahab, coveting Naboth's ancestral property near his palace, attempts to purchase or exchange it. Naboth, however, firmly refuses, upholding Mosaic law which prohibited the permanent sale of tribal land as it was an inheritance (Lev 25:23-28; Num 36:7). This refusal sends Ahab into a fit of sullen dejection. Verse 5 is the pivotal moment where Jezebel, a Phoenician princess devoted to Baal worship and highly influential over Ahab, enters the scene. She discovers Ahab's self-imposed hunger strike and demands to know the reason for his deep-seated distress, initiating the unfolding of her murderous plot to acquire the vineyard for him. Historically and culturally, Ahab and Jezebel's court reflects the power dynamics of ancient Near Eastern monarchies, often clashing with Israel's distinct covenant relationship with Yahweh and His law. Jezebel, being from a culture where royal power was absolute and divine, would have viewed Naboth's refusal as an act of defiance against the king, leading her to believe a direct solution, even one involving injustice, was warranted. Her worldview sharply contrasted with the Mosaic law that restricted a king's power and upheld individual property rights.

1 Kings 21 5 Word analysis

• But Jezebel his wife came to him:

  • "But" (וַיָּבֹא - vayyavo) introduces a turn in the narrative, highlighting Jezebel's intervention. She is the agent of change here.
  • "Jezebel" (אִיזֶבֶל - Izevel): A foreign, non-Israelite princess from Tyre (Phoenicia), a worshiper of Baal and Asherah. Her name may mean "Where is the Prince?" (referring to Baal) or "Baal exalts." She wielded significant influence, driving Ahab towards idolatry and establishing Baal worship in Israel (1 Kgs 16:31-33). Her pagan background shaped her complete disregard for Israelite law and justice.
  • "his wife": Emphasizes her intimate connection and powerful sway over Ahab. Her domestic role becomes the gateway for her public machinations. She doesn't just ask about him, but actively comes to him, showing her initiative and determination.
  • "came to him": She actively sought him out, rather than passively waiting, demonstrating her proactive and assertive nature. This signals her intention to solve his problem by taking charge.

• and said to him:

  • "said": The direct address signifies her willingness to confront the king, not with humility but with an implicit challenge.

• "Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?":

  • "Why is your spirit" (מַדּוּעַ רוּחֲךָ נִכְאָבָה - maddu‘a ruakha nikh’avah):
    • "Why" (מַדּוּעַ - maddu‘a): A direct and probing question, demanding an explanation.
    • "spirit" (רוּחֲךָ - ruakhka): Refers to the innermost being, the seat of emotions and will. It highlights Ahab's internal turmoil.
    • "vexed" (נִכְאָבָה - nikh'avah): From the root כָּאַב (ka'av), meaning "to be grieved," "hurt," "afflicted," or "pained." It describes a deeply troubled, sorrowful, or anguished emotional state. This isn't just slight annoyance, but a profound dejection, indicative of his unfulfilled desire and perhaps the perceived public humiliation from Naboth's refusal. Jezebel correctly perceives the depth of his internal distress.
  • "that you eat no food": The outward, visible manifestation of his inner pain and frustration. Refusing food was a common sign of deep distress, grief, or anger in the ancient world (cf. 1 Sam 1:7; 2 Sam 12:16-17). It indicates Ahab had entered a state of emotional withdrawal, unwilling to even participate in daily sustenance. Jezebel observed this clear sign of his melancholy and used it as her point of entry. This absence of food suggests not a fast for repentance or spiritual purposes, but one rooted in selfish, worldly disappointment.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him": This phrase emphasizes Jezebel's immediate and authoritative engagement with Ahab's problem. She is not passive; she initiates the conversation, underscoring her dominant role in the royal partnership. This direct approach contrasts with Ahab's childlike pouting.
  • "Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?": This is a rhetorical question, as Jezebel clearly perceives Ahab's disposition. It serves to draw out Ahab's complaint and give her the necessary information to formulate her own, ruthless solution. Her immediate grasp of Ahab's internal and external state reveals her perceptiveness and manipulative genius. It's a leading question, designed to confirm her assessment and allow her to take control.

1 Kings 21 5 Bonus section

The scene in 1 Kings 21:5 starkly highlights the clash of worldviews. For Naboth, land was an inalienable inheritance, a divine trust, part of God's provision and promise to his family in Israel (Lev 25:23). For Ahab, it was a property to be acquired for convenience. For Jezebel, with her Tyrian background, royal desire trumped all rights. She came from a culture where kings were considered divine or divinely appointed and their word was law. Her response to Ahab's dejection isn't to consider the legality or morality within the Israelite framework, but to question his royal authority in letting such a trivial refusal disrupt his peace. This indicates a complete disjunction between her ethical framework and that of the Mosaic covenant, making her capable of atrocities. This initial dialogue serves as a microcosm of the larger conflict in the Books of Kings between the covenant faithfulness to Yahweh and the corrupting influences of pagan ideologies.

1 Kings 21 5 Commentary

1 Kings 21:5 unveils Jezebel's forceful and perceptive character in stark contrast to Ahab's weakness and dejection. Ahab's sulking due to Naboth's principled refusal demonstrates his spiritual immaturity and inability to reconcile his desires with God's law regarding property. Jezebel, observing his visible distress, instantly assesses the situation, not from a perspective of Mosaic law or righteousness, but through the lens of absolute monarchical power and personal will. Her question is not one of gentle concern but an assertive inquiry designed to understand the obstacle and remove it. This verse is the pivot, transitioning from Ahab's impotent coveting to Jezebel's proactive and ultimately murderous plan. It highlights the dangerous influence of an ungodly spouse and the pagan worldview that elevated human desire above divine law, setting the stage for one of the Bible's most chilling examples of royal corruption and injustice.

For practical application:

• Unchecked desire for what belongs to others (coveting) can lead to profound emotional distress and eventually great sin.
• The influence of a spouse, whether for good or ill, is incredibly powerful.
• True leadership requires facing disappointment with maturity and integrity, not with childish sulking or oppressive action.