Bible Strands
1 Kings 21:15
When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, who refused to give it to you for silver. For Naboth is no longer alive, but dead.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jezebel addresses Ahab immediately after the messengers deliver the report that Naboth has been executed. She issues the command to seize his property while confirming his death to remove any remaining obstacle.
The words — The Hebrew phrase כִּֽי־סֻקַּל נָבֹת (ki-su.Kal na.Vot) literally renders "that Naboth has been stoned," employing the passive perfect of סֻקַּל (H5619) to denote a finalized judicial execution. This verb anchors the narrative to a completed, irreversible act.
The thread — The sequence of a corrupt official receiving execution news and immediately commanding property transfer mirrors the warning in Proverbs 4:17 about consuming the bread of wickedness. Jezebel’s prior intervention in 1 Kings 21:7 establishes the pattern, while Proverbs 1:10 warns against yielding to such enticements.
Why it lands — The text states Jezebel’s direct order to Ahab to occupy the vineyard now that the legal barrier is removed. It requires the reader to recognize how institutional violence is immediately repurposed for personal gain.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 21:7 But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
- Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.
- Proverbs 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.