Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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1 Kings
Book: 1 Kings
Chapter: 21
Overview:
Ahab covets
Naboth's vineyard.
(1-4) Naboth murdered
By
Jezebel.
(5-16) Elijah denounces judgments against
Ahab.
(17-29)
1-4 Naboth, perhaps, had been pleased that he had a vineyard
situated
So near the
Palace, but the situation proved fatal to
him; many a
Man's possessions have been his
Snare, and his
neighbourhood to greatness, of bad consequence. Discontent is a
Sin that is its own
Punishment, and makes men
Torment
themselves. It is a
Sin that is its own parent; it arises not
from the condition, but from the mind: as we find
Paul contented
in a
Prison,
So Ahab was discontented in a
Palace. He had all
the delights of
Canaan, that pleasant land, at command; the
wealth of a kingdom, the pleasures of a
Court, and the honours
and powers of a
Throne; yet all avails him nothing without
Naboth's vineyard. Wrong desires expose men to continual
vexations, and those that are disposed to fret, however
Well
off, may always find something or other to fret at.
5-16 When, instead of a help meet, a
Man has an agent for
Satan, in the form of an artful, unprincipled, yet beloved
Wife,
fatal effects may be expected. Never were more wicked orders
given
By any
Prince, than those
Jezebel sent to the rulers of
Jezreel.
Naboth must be murdered under
Colour of religion. There
is
No wickedness
So vile,
So horrid, but religion has sometimes
been made a cover for it. Also, it must be done under
Colour of
Justice, and with the formalities of legal process. Let us, from
this sad story, be amazed at the wickedness of the wicked, and
the power of
Satan in the children of disobedience. Let us
commit the keeping of our lives and comforts to
God, for
innocence will not always be our security; and let us rejoice in
the knowledge that all will be set to rights in the great
Day.
17-29 Blessed
Paul complains that he was sold under
Sin, Ro
7:14, as a
Poor Captive against his will; but
Ahab was willing,
he sold himself to
Sin; of choice, and as his own act and deed,
he loved the dominion of
Sin.
Jezebel his
Wife stirred him up to
do wickedly.
Ahab is reproved, and his
Sin set before his eyes,
By Elijah. That
Man's condition is very miserable, who has made
the
Word of God his enemy; and very desperate, who reckons the
ministers of that
Word his enemies, because they tell him the
Truth.
Ahab Put On the garb and guise of a penitent, yet his
Heart was unhumbled and unchanged.
Ahab's
Repentance was only
what might be seen of men; it was outward only. Let this
encourage all that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe the
holy
Gospel, that if a pretending partial penitent shall go to
his
House reprieved, doubtless, a sincere believing penitent
shall go to his
House justified.