1 Kings

1 Kings 21: The LORD sees every wrong

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Naboth's vineyard, let us draw near to the Lord together. Ask Him to make us just and kind, and to show us the Son who was condemned though He was innocent.

Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Psalm 97:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You see every wrong and judge it, and that You saw even Ahab humble himself, and help us to trust You and Your Son, Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Naboth the Jezreelite has a vineyard next to Ahab's palace, and Ahab asks to buy it or trade it for a better one. Naboth refuses to give up the inheritance of his fathers, and Ahab goes home sullen and angry. Jezebel writes letters in Ahab's name, has two base fellows testify against Naboth, and has him stoned to death. Ahab goes to take the vineyard, and the LORD sends Elijah to meet him there. Elijah tells Ahab that the LORD will bring evil on his house, and then Ahab tears his clothes and humbles himself.

As you read 1 Kings 21, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD sees every wrong and judges it, and He saw even Ahab humble himself.

Naboth had a vineyard in Jezreel next to Ahab's palace, and Ahab asked to buy it or trade it (verses 1 and 2). Naboth refused, because the land was the inheritance of his fathers (verse 3 and Leviticus 25 verse 23). Ahab went home sullen, and Jezebel wrote letters in his name that led to Naboth being falsely accused and stoned (verses 4 to 14). Ahab went down to take the vineyard, and the LORD sent Elijah to meet him there (verses 16 to 18). Elijah asked whether he had killed and also taken possession (verse 19). The LORD said He would sweep away Ahab's house, and He named Jezebel in the judgment too (verses 21 to 23). Then Ahab tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and walked softly, and the LORD saw it (verses 27 and 29). The LORD held back the evil in Ahab's days, and He brought it on his house in his son's day (verse 29). Jesus told of a tax collector who asked God for mercy and went home justified (Luke 18 verses 13 and 14).

How does 1 Kings 21 show us that the LORD sees every wrong and judges it, and that He saw even Ahab humble himself?

The LORD sees every wrong.

The LORD's word came to Elijah, and Elijah met Ahab in the vineyard (verses 17 and 18). The LORD asked whether Ahab had killed and also taken possession (verse 19). Ahab had sold himself to do what is evil in the LORD's sight (verses 20 and 25).

The LORD judges sin.

The LORD said He would sweep away Ahab's house, as He had done to Jeroboam's and Baasha's (verses 21 and 22). He named Jezebel in the judgment too (verse 23). The LORD's judgment is sure, and He decided when it would come (verse 29).

Jesus bore the judgment that sin deserves.

Ahab humbled himself, and the LORD saw it (verses 27 to 29). Jesus told of a tax collector who asked God to be merciful to him, a sinner (Luke 18 verse 13). Jesus said that man went home justified (Luke 18 verse 14). Mercy comes to a sinner who turns to God, because Jesus bore the judgment that sin deserves.

Memorise

Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but I will bring the evil on his house in his son’s day.

1 Kings 21:29

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, have I taken what is not mine, and do I confess it to the LORD?

The LORD saw how Naboth was wronged, and He sent Elijah to meet Ahab in the vineyard. Ahab humbled himself, and the LORD saw that too. Nobody is made right with God by his own humbling, and only Jesus can make a sinner right with Him.

Jesus was innocent, yet He bore the judgment that sinners deserve, and He died for His people. He was condemned and nailed to a cross. On the third day God raised Him for the justification of His people. He has done all that was needed.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. Confess what you have taken and what you have done. Whoever calls on His name receives forgiveness and mercy.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD sees every wrong, and that Jesus bore the judgment His people deserved. Parents, this chapter is hard, so explain verses 19 to 24 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He sees every wrong, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, in an acceptable time. God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation.

Psalm 69:13

Father, thank You that You see every wrong and judge it, and that You saw even Ahab humble himself. Thank You for Jesus, who bore the judgment sin deserves. Turn each of us from sin, and help us to trust Jesus. Keep us from taking what is not ours. Amen.