The Pouting King (1 Kings 21)

Introduction

· I want to thank those who covered last week while my family was out of town. My family took a little time off and drove up to Big Creek, California, to stay at my in-laws’ home up there. Beautiful scenery. No clocks or calendars! I didn’t even know what day it is! Really needed to unplug and spend a few days at a slower pace.

· Please turn to 1 Kings 21

· I have entitled today’s sermon “The Pouting King.”

· Authority is a good thing for society. Leadership is a gift from God. But as we will see in today’s passage, sometimes that authority is abused, leading to grave consequences.

Naboth’s Vineyard

· Read vv. 1-2. Ahab has two palaces. Main capital city in Samaria, but then another palace about 20 miles to the north in the valley of Jezreel. As he looks out from his balcony, he notices there is a piece of land. Decides to use imminent domain. Seems quite reasonable. But the owner is not interested.

· Read vv. 3. Naboth has three reasons. Economic. This is good land! Jezreel literally means, “God sows.” It provides for him and his family. Jezreel is a lush and beautiful plain, the crowned jewel of the fertile crescent. Early British Explorers wrote, “The soil of this portion of the country…is of a rich crumbling volcanic character, and very fertile. This, with the abundance of spring water, makes [this region] very productive.” Jezreel was the Napa Valley of Israel. Secondly, sentimental reasons. But third and most importantly, he had a spiritual reason. Bolen: ““No inheritance in Israel is to pass from tribe to tribe, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal land inherited from his forefathers” (Num 36:7, NIV; cf. Lev 25:23-28; Num 36:7-12). Naboth’s land was to remain a part of the tribal allotment of Issachar.”

· Read v. 4. Ahab is “vexed and sullen” (cf. 20:43). NET Bible translates this “bitter and angry.” He sulks and pouts like a two-year old who didn’t get his way. The scene is amusing, but all too familiar. How often we pout over something that someone else has that we want! This is called coveting, and it is much more prevalent in the human heart than we may first realize.

o As children, we covet the toys of our sibling or neighbor

o As youth, we covet the looks of movie stars and the strength of athletes

o As we grow older, we compare ourselves to others as a way to measure our success. We covet those who drive nicer cars, who have more successful businesses, who attend bigger churches, who take better vacations, who dwell in nicer homes, who look prettier, or who enjoy better health. We grumble and complain, spending long hours gazing at the greener grass on the other side of the fence, just like Ahab who wants that vineyard. The human heart is so full of sin, and there seems to be no end to our expressions of coveteousness.

· The apostle Paul says the cure to all of this is contentment. Philippians 4:11–13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. But sadly, contentment is far from Ahab’s mind at this time…

· Read vv. 5-16. Jezebel’s scheme. We already know she is a wicked woman as she has mass imported pagan worship into the land and hunted down God’s prophets. Now we see she is not above conspiracy to kill an innocent civilian to get her way. Acc. to 2K 9:26, Naboth’s sons are also killed on that day, as though they had been complicit in Naboth’s made-up crime, and this ensures that there will be no family heir to the property.

· (Jezebel has a completely twisted view of authority. V. 7 “Do you now govern Israel?” In other words, “Are you the king or not? If so, what are you waiting for? You have a right to it!” It’s as though being king gave him the right to do whatever he wanted. What a contrast from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Mark 10:42–43 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant)

· Notice how many of the 10 Commandments are violated in this one event…

o Ahab puts another god – money and possessions – above the Lord (Ex. 20:3)

o Ahab takes the LORD’s name in vain by serving as anointed king of Israel and yet acting contradictory to Israel’s God (Ex. 20:7)

o He does not honor the father and mother of Naboth, who deeded this land over to Naboth (Ex. 20:12)

o He commits murder (Ex. 20:13)

o He commits spiritual adultery by marrying Jezebel, allowing Baal worship into the land, and listening to her counsel (Ex. 20:14)

o He steals what does not belong to him (Ex. 20:15).

o He hires “two worthless men” to bear false witness against an innocent homeowner (Ex. 20:16).

o And all of this happens because Ahab covets his neighbor’s house and vineyard (Ex. 20:17).

· What a heartbreaking story! One day, Naboth is enjoying God’s blessing, carrying on the family tradition of grape farming in a beautiful vineyard. The next thing he knows, he is dragged off to a fake trial and now all that is left is a pool of blood. As Proverbs 29:2 says, “when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

· But God has been watching all of this. And he is about to act. LIFE LESSON: God will soon make everything right.

· We may live in a 1 Kings 21:15 world, full of injustice, violence, and abuse of power, but God is watching, and one day, God will bring divine reckoning. Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

· Notice how quickly this happens in the life of Ahab…

Ahab is Rebuked and Repents

· Vv. 17-19 The Lord sends Elijah to Ahab

· Vv. 20-24. Three judgements – Ahab personally his household (royal line), and Jezebel. Fulfilled in the following chapter, along with 2 K. 9.

· Vv. 28-29. A picture of genuine repentance.

· LIFE LESSON: In spite of your past, you are never beyond God’s grace.

· We sing “Lord, I Need You.” “Where sin runs deep Your grace is more. Where grace is found is where You are.”

· Ahab was a truly wicked men. And yet here, he repents. The damage has been done, and the consequences will be severe. But Ahab genuinely repents and finds mercy from God.

· James 4:6–10 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

· Have you done this? Why not do it today?

· This is what our nation needs.

· Review Life Lessons: God will make everything right. And in spite of your past, you are never beyond God’s grace.