Elijah Delivers God's Message to Ahab

By Mary Vee
I Kings 21

From Elijah's Journals

The Lord spoke to me this morning. He said, "Go down and meet Ahab, king of Israel, the one who rules Samaria. He is now in Naboth's vineyard where he has gone to take possession of it."

Ahab had done something very bad and now he would hear his punishment from the Lord.

I went to Naboth's vineyard and found Ahab standing there. Celebrating his new vineyard. I requested to speak to the king.

Ahab nodded to the messenger. "Yes, bring him to me." 

I walked close to the king and looked in his eyes for a moment. The man had eyes of delight that he had no right to have. But after a moment, Ahab's eyes lost their spark. "What did you come to bother me about this time, Elijah?"

"I have a message from the Lord for you."

Ahab turned to those standing around him and laughed. "So you have found me, my enemy!"

"I have found you, yes." I answered. 

"Well, then, speak your message."

"Because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord He will bring disaster on you. He will consume your descendants and cut off from you every last male in Israel--slave or free. He will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked Him to anger and have caused Israel to sin." 

I turned to Jezebel. "And also, concerning Jezebel, the Lord said, "Dogs will devour you by the wall of Jezreel."

I finished my message by turning back to king Ahab, "Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country."

Ahab's eyes grew quite wide. He looked at the vineyard and back at me. He tore his cloths and put on sackcloth and fasted. He hung his head low and walked in meekness. He did this for days.

I had returned to my home where I received another message from the Lord. He said, "Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son."

I returned to the palace and told the king the message. 

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photo courtesy of christianimagesource.com

1. Where did the Lord tell Elijah to go?
2. Who was Elijah to speak to?
3. What message did Elijah give?
4. Why did Ahab wear sackcloth and fast?
5. When God saw Ahab wearing sackcloth and fasting what did He say?

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?

Ahab- Naboth Beautiful Vineyard

By Mary Vee 

I Kings 21

From Naboth's Journal

There had been a terrible draught in our country, for three long years. Those of us who remained faithful to the Lord knew God held back the rains to punish the evil deeds done by king Ahab. But when the Almighty restored the rains recently, my vineyard bounced back to life.

I loved getting out of bed, rushing to my fields and sinking my fingers into the soil. I pruned the dead and weak vegetation, watered, and weeded the land. This tender care paid off. The plants grew strong and flower blossoms multiplied. This is sure to be the best crop I've ever had.

Late in the morning, I received an unusual visitor. The royal chariots approached my home. It made such a clatter my whole family could't help but notice. I told my wife to stay inside, and went out to greet the king. 

I bowed as his chariot came to a stop. "Your majesty."

He stayed in his chariot, standing high above me. "Let me buy your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth."

I didn't have to think even for a second. I could be a rich man if I accepted the king's offer, but  my heart would be sad every day of my remaining life. We don't have much, barely enough to survive, but we do have this land. My father plowed these fields and gave it to me for an inheritance. Our family has worked hard to produce the best crops possible. We never slacked in watering, weeding, planting; we love this land. No, I couldn't sell it to the king.

"I'm sorry, your majesty. I cannot give you the inheritance of my fathers."

The king didn't say anything and I didn't need to look up at his face to see his anger. Everyone knew of his uncontrollable temper. And the worst response from him was no sound. I am sure he will go to Queen Jezebel like a child complaining they didn't get their favorite toy. I fear something awful will happen.

This I know, God has placed in my heart not to sell this land, and I will obey God, no matter what the result.

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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. What did Naboth love to do?

2. After the rains, Naboth was able to ___________

3. Who was the unusual visitor?

4. What did the visitor want?

5. What did Naboth answer?

6. Why?

7. What did Naboth know would happen.

8. Was he sorry about his decision?

Ahab-A Spoiled King Wants a Poor Man's Vineyard

By Mary Vee
I Kings 21

From Ahab's Scrolls

First thing every morning I walked to the balcony off of my chamber room and gazed out at the land. For three years in a row I saw nothing but brown grass and dead plants, a punishment of no rain. I blamed God and the prophet Elijah for that. 

Elijah said I was a wicked king. Hah!  My wife Jezebel wanted to worship the gods from her home country, what's wrong with that? Elijah said we should only worship the Almighty God and I needed to stop teaching the people to worship Jezebel's god's. The people worshiped Jezebel's god's to please me and I liked that. 

Well, no matter. The rains had returned and the land looked wonderful. We won a battle against the Arameans. I'd say that counts as success. 

I looked out the window and saw a vineyard beyond the palace property. It belonged to Naboth. The vegetables blossomed with bright colors. Imagine how the tasty grapes and vegetables from his vineyard. My mouth watered and I wanted some. 

"Guards!"

The door opened and two guards entered. "Sire?"

"I wish to visit Naboth."

The guards and I left a few moments later in the royal chariot. The distance was short and we could have walked, but I wanted Naboth to know the king approached his land. 

As I expected, Naboth ran out of his house toward the chariot. He bowed. "Your majesty, what brings you here to my humble home?"

Humble indeed. The man wore the clothes of a poor man. His house looked simple, nothing more than a small structure. He should be thankful I honored him with my presence. 

"Naboth, Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange, I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth."

Naboth lowered his head. "This is my inheritance from my father. This land has been in my family for years. the Lord forbid that I should give you the work of my fathers. I am sorry, I cannot sell it to you."

How dare he speak to the king in such a manner! He should have been grateful I wanted his land. He could have taken the money and built a better home, a larger vineyard. But, no, he insists to keep his father's land! I want it.

I didn't say another word to him, I couldn't. Anger filled me with such rage I couldn't speak. 

Then I knew what to do. I would go back to the palace and speak with Jezebel. She would have a good idea. One that would force Naboth to sell me his vineyard. Hah. I raised my hand in the air. I would have this vineyard before the week ended.

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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. King Ahab looked out his window one day and saw Naboth's ___________
2. Describe the vineyard.
3. King Ahab called his guards and road his _________ to Naboth's.
4. What did King Ahab ask Naboth? 
5. What did he offer Naboth?
6. What did Naboth answer?
7. What did King Ahab decide to do.

Author's Note: when we can't have what we want how would God want us to act? Do you think Ahab acted as God wanted him to?