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

4 So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angryj 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

5 Then 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!’ ”

7 Then 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 8 So she wrote lettersn in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal.o She sent the letters to the eldersp and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. 9 In the letters, she wrote:

Proclaim a fastq and seat Naboth at the head of the people. 10 Then seat two wicked menr opposite him and have them testify against him, saying, “You have cursed God and the king!”s Then take him out and stone him to death.t

11 The men of his city, the elders and nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them, just as it was written in the letters she had sent them.