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 ^jnext to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. ^k2So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard ^lso 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, “I will never give my fathers’ inheritance ^mto you.”

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

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.” ^q