1 Kings 21:6

4 So Ahab went to his palace, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had told him, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat.

5 Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked, “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat?”

Ahab answered, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’”

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.”

8 Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Ahab answered, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’”
KJV
And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.
WEB
He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ He answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”
ASV
And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee [another] vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.
DARBY
And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jizreelite and said to him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee a vineyard for it; and he said, I will not give thee my vineyard.
BLB
And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give to me your vineyard for silver; or if it pleases you, I will give to you a vineyard for it.’ And He answered, ‘I will not give to you my vineyard.’”
ÅB
Han svarte: Jeg talte med jisre'elitten Nabot og sa til ham: Gi meg din vingård for penger, eller om du ønsker, vil jeg gi deg en annen vingård i stedet. Men han sa: Jeg vil ikke gi deg min vingård.
OTB
Han svarte: "Fordi jeg snakket med Nabot fra Jisreel og ba ham selge meg vingården sin, eller bytte den hvis han foretrakk det. Men han svarte: 'Jeg vil ikke gi deg vingården min.'"
B1930
Han svarte: Jeg talte med jisre'elitten Nabot og sa til ham: Gi mig din vingård for penger, eller om du ønsker, vil jeg gi dig en annen vingård i stedet. Men han sa: Jeg vil ikke gi dig min vingård.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Esther 5:9–14

    That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 14:30

    A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

    Read in context
  • James 4:2–7

    You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 21:2–4

    So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is 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.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 6:9–10

    Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

    Read in context
  • Esther 6:12

    Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief.

    Read in context