1 Kings 21:1–7

AHAB AND NABOTH’S VINEYARD

21Some time passed after these events. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard; it was in Jezreel^f next to the palace of King Ahab of Samaria.^{g 2}So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard^h so I can have it for a vegetable garden, since it is right next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”

³But Naboth said to Ahab, “As the Lord is my witness, I will never give my ancestors’ inheritanceⁱ to you.”

⁴So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angry^j because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had told him. He had said, “I will not give you my ancestors’ inheritance.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away,^k and didn’t eat any food.^l

⁵Then his wife Jezebel came to him and said to him, “Why are you so upset that you refuse to eat?”

⁶“Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite,” he replied. “I told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you a vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I won’t give you my vineyard!’ ”

⁷Then his wife Jezebel said to him, “Now, exercise your royal power over Israel. Get up, eat some food, and be happy. For I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”^m