1 Kings 21:1-7

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Ahab and Naboth’s Vineyard

21 Some time passed after these events. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard; it was in Jezreel^(A) next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.^{(B) 2} So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard^(C) so 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.”

³ But Naboth said to Ahab, “I will never give my fathers’ inheritance^(D) to you.”

⁴ So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angry^(E) because 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,^(F) and didn’t eat any food.^(G)

⁵ Then 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!’”

⁷ Then 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.”^(H)