Ahab-Tattling to Queen Jezebel

By Mary Vee
I Kings 21

From King Ahab's Guard's Journal

The King returned from his visit to Naboth's vineyard in a foul mood. He stomped to his chambers, barely saying a word. 

One of the servants informed Jezebel of the king's anger. She ran straight to him and said softly. "What is wrong, my king? You won't eat or drink."

King Ahab mumbled a few words. Jezebel's shoulders soften. "You can tell me, what is wrong?"

"You know, Naboth, the owner of the beautiful vineyard I can see from my balcony?"

"Yes?"

"I went to him this morning and asked to buy his land. I offered him money, I offered him a trade." He huffed and balled his fist. "Naboth, that greedy nothing of a man said no. He said the vineyard had been given to him, passed down in his family for generations. He refused to give me his land." Ahab slammed his fist on the throne. "What am I going to do now? Step out on my balcony and stare at the most beautiful vineyard that I can't touch?"

Jezebel stepped closer and folded her arms. "Is this how you act as king over Israel? What's the matter with you? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the Naboth's vineyard."

Jezebel stormed out of the king's chamber and ordered a scribe to follower her. She practically ran to her room, fueled with rage. "Hurry up Scribe. Write these letters at once."

"Yes, my queen."

"Write these words to the elders and nobles who live in Naboth's city: Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in an important place among the people. Be sure to seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them say Naboth has cursed both God and the king. Then take Naboth out and stone him to death."

The scribe did as he was told then gave her the letters to sign and seal. The letters were then given to the elders and nobles as Jezebel requested.

The next day the leaders proclaimed a fast and placed Naboth in an important seat. Two scoundrels sat down opposite him and shouted, "This man, Naboth, the one whom you have seated in an important place, has cursed both God and the king."

The men seated around Naboth didn't give him a chance to speak. They dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. 

That same night messengers delivered a message to Queen Jezebel. "Naboth is dead."

She ran from her chamber with a huge smile on her face. "King Ahab!" He gave her permission to enter. She ran to him. "My dear king, get up and take possession of the Naboth's vineyard. He is no longer alive, but dead."

The king smiled for the first time in two days. "Really?" He hurried from his chamber and ran all the way to his new vineyard. "At last!" He took a deep breath. "My vineyard." He folded his arms and smiled with pride.

A messenger ran up to him, quite out of breath. "King Ahab. Elijah the prophet wants to speak with you."

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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com
*** author's note: Sounds like Ahab is about hear God's opinion, and his consequence

1. Why was king Ahab unhappy?
2. Who did he tell?
3. What did she do?
4. What happened to Naboth?
5. What did Ahab do when he heard the news?
6. Who is going to visit Ahab?