1 Kings 21:4
New International Version
So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.

New Living Translation
So Ahab went home angry and sullen because of Naboth’s answer. The king went to bed with his face to the wall and refused to eat!

English Standard Version
And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

New King James Version
So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food.

New American Standard Bible
So Ahab entered his house sullen and furious because of the answer that Naboth the Jezreelite had given to him, since he said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned his face away, and ate no food.

NASB 1995
So Ahab came into his house sullen and vexed because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and ate no food.

NASB 1977
So Ahab came into his house sullen and vexed because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and ate no food.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Ahab came into his house sullen and enraged because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and ate no food.

Amplified Bible
So Ahab [already upset by the Lord’s message] came into his house [feeling more] resentful and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face, and would not eat any food.

Christian Standard Bible
So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angry because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had told him. He had said, “I will not give you my ancestors’ inheritance.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and didn’t eat any food.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angry 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, and didn’t eat any food.

American Standard Version
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

Contemporary English Version
So Ahab went home, angry and depressed because of what Naboth had told him. He lay on his bed, just staring at the wall and refusing to eat a thing.

English Revised Version
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Resentful and upset, Ahab went home because of what Naboth from Jezreel had told him. ( [Naboth had said,] "I will not give you what I inherited from my ancestors.") So Ahab lay on the couch, turned his face [from everyone], and refused to eat.

Good News Translation
Ahab went home, depressed and angry over what Naboth had said to him. He lay down on his bed, facing the wall, and would not eat.

International Standard Version
Ahab went back to his palace, sullen and in a foul mood, because Naboth the Jezreelite had turned down Ahab's offer by saying "I will not transfer my ancestors' inheritance to you!" He laid down on his bed, curled up with his face to the wall, and refused to eat.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
So Ahab went into his palace, bitter and angry that Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not sell to you my ancestral inheritance." He lay down on his bed, pouted, and would not eat.

New Heart English Bible
Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He laid himself down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased, because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid himself down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

World English Bible
Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He laid himself down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Ahab comes to his house, sulky and angry, because of the word that Naboth the Jezreelite has spoken to him when he says, “I do not give the inheritance of my fathers to you,” and he lies down on his bed, and turns around his face, and has not eaten bread.

Young's Literal Translation
and Ahab cometh in unto his house, sulky and wroth, because of the word that Naboth the Jezreelite hath spoken unto him when he saith, 'I do not give to thee the inheritance of my fathers,' and he lieth down on his bed, and turneth round his face, and hath not eaten bread.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Ahab will come to his house rebellious and angry for the word that Naboth the Jezreelite spake to him: and he will say, I will not give to thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he will lie down upon his bed and turn away his face, and not eat bread.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Achab came into his house angry and fretting, because of the word that Naboth the Jezrahelite had spoken to him, saying: I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And casting himself upon his bed, he turned away his face to the wall, and would eat no bread.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Ahab went into his house, angry and gnashing his teeth over the word that Naboth, the Jezreelite, had spoken to him, saying, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And casting himself on his bed, he turned away his face to the wall, and he would not eat bread.

New American Bible
Ahab went home disturbed and angry at the answer Naboth the Jezreelite had given him: “I will not give you my ancestral heritage.” Lying down on his bed, he turned away and would not eat.

New Revised Standard Version
Ahab went home resentful and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him; for he had said, “I will not give you my ancestral inheritance.” He lay down on his bed, turned away his face, and would not eat.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Ahab went to his house sad and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Akhab went on to his house, as it was grievous to him, and he was angry concerning the answer that Nabuth the Yizreilite spoke to him: “I am not giving you the inheritance of my fathers!” And he lay on his bed, and he turned his face and he did not eat bread.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Ahab came into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said: 'I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers.' And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the spirit of Achaab was troubled, and he lay down upon his bed, and covered his face, and ate no bread.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Naboth's Vineyard
3But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 4So 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. 5Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked, “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat?”…

Cross References
Genesis 4:5-6
but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. / “Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?

Esther 5:9-13
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. / Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh, / Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants. ...

Jonah 4:1-4
Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry. / So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster. / And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” ...

1 Samuel 22:8
Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”

2 Samuel 13:2
Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.

2 Samuel 17:23
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

1 Kings 20:43
Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went home to Samaria.

2 Kings 5:11-12
But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy. / Are not the Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not have washed in them and been cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage.

Psalm 32:3-4
When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. / For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah

Psalm 73:21-22
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within, / I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.

Proverbs 19:3
A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

Proverbs 21:25
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

Matthew 2:16
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.


Treasury of Scripture

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

heavy

Job 5:2
For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Isaiah 57:20,21
But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt…

Jonah 4:1,9
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry…

I will not

1 Kings 21:3
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

Numbers 22:13,14
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you…

And he laid him

Genesis 4:5-8
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell…

2 Samuel 13:2,4
And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her…

Ecclesiastes 6:9
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Jump to Previous
Ahab Angry Bed Bread Displeased Eat Face Fathers Heavy House Inheritance Jezreelite Laid Naboth Sullen Turned Word
Jump to Next
Ahab Angry Bed Bread Displeased Eat Face Fathers Heavy House Inheritance Jezreelite Laid Naboth Sullen Turned Word
1 Kings 21
1. Ahab being denied Naboth's vineyard, is grieved
5. Jezebel writing letters against Naboth, he is condemned of blasphemy
15. Ahab take possession of the vineyard
17. Elijah denounces judgments against Ahab and Jezebel
25. Wicked Ahab repenting, God defers the judgment














So Ahab went into his house
The phrase indicates a retreat into a personal space, reflecting Ahab's internal turmoil. In Hebrew, "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) often symbolizes a place of refuge or identity. Ahab's return to his house signifies a withdrawal from public life into a private realm where he can nurse his grievances. Historically, kings were expected to be strong and decisive, yet Ahab's retreat shows a failure to embody these kingly virtues.

sullen and angry
The Hebrew words used here, "sullen" (סַר, sar) and "angry" (זָעֵף, za'ef), convey a deep emotional disturbance. "Sullen" suggests a brooding resentment, while "angry" indicates a more active, consuming rage. Ahab's emotional state reveals his inability to accept Naboth's refusal, highlighting a character flaw of petulance and entitlement. This emotional response is significant in understanding Ahab's subsequent actions and the moral decline of his reign.

because of the word that Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him
The "word" (דָּבָר, dabar) here is not just a casual statement but a firm declaration rooted in the law and tradition of Israel. Naboth's refusal is based on the Torah's prohibition against permanently selling family land (Leviticus 25:23-28). The mention of "Jezreelite" emphasizes Naboth's identity and connection to the land, underscoring the cultural and religious significance of his refusal. Ahab's inability to respect this reflects his disregard for God's commandments and the covenantal traditions of Israel.

'I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.'
This phrase highlights the sacredness of land inheritance in Israelite society. "Inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah) is a divine gift, a tangible sign of God's promise to His people. Naboth's steadfastness in preserving his ancestral inheritance is an act of faithfulness to God's covenant. This refusal is not merely personal defiance but a stand for righteousness against royal overreach, illustrating the tension between divine law and human authority.

And he lay down on his bed
Ahab's action of lying down suggests a state of defeat and self-pity. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a bed (מִטָּה, mittah) was a place of rest and intimacy, but here it becomes a symbol of Ahab's withdrawal and immaturity. Instead of seeking counsel or reflecting on his actions, Ahab chooses to wallow in his disappointment, demonstrating a lack of leadership and spiritual insight.

turned his face away
Turning one's face away (סָבַב פָּנִים, savav panim) is an expression of rejection and isolation. Ahab's action signifies his refusal to engage with reality or seek reconciliation. This physical gesture mirrors his spiritual state—turning away from God's law and the responsibilities of kingship. It is a poignant image of a leader who is disconnected from his people and his God.

and refused to eat
Refusing to eat (לֹא אָכַל, lo akhal) is a sign of deep distress or protest. In biblical times, fasting was often associated with mourning or penitence, yet Ahab's refusal to eat is not an act of humility or repentance but of childish sulking. This behavior underscores his inability to cope with disappointment in a mature or godly manner, further illustrating the moral and spiritual decay that characterizes his reign.

Verse 4. - And Ahab came into his house [At Samaria, as we gather from vers. 18, 14, 16, etc.] heavy and displeased [Heb. sullen and angry; same words as in 1 Kings 20:43. Ewald thinks that we have here a clear reference to that passage] because of the word which Naboth the Jezreellte had spoken to him: for [Heb. and] he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed [Rawlinson understands this to mean the couch on which the Orientals recline at meals. And מִטָּה is used with this meaning in Esther 1:6 Ezekiel 23:41, and elsewhere. But "his bed" seems rather to point to his private chamber; see on ver. 5], and turned away his face [The Vulgate adds ad parietem. Cf. 2 Kings 20:2; from which place it may have been unconsciously introduced here], and would eat no bread. [Keil contends that" this childish mode of giving expression to his displeasure shows very clearly that Ahab was a man sold under sin (ver. 20), who only wanted the requisite energy to display the wickedness of his heart in vigorous action;" but whether this is a just inference from these words may well be questioned. It rather shows that so little did he meditate evil that he accepted the refusal of Naboth as conclusive, and gave way to childish grief.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Ahab
אַחְאָ֨ב (’aḥ·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 256: Ahab -- 'father's brother', a king of Israel, also a false prophet

went
וַיָּבֹא֩ (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his palace,
בֵּית֜וֹ (bê·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

sullen
סַ֣ר (sar)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5620: Stubborn, resentful, sullen, implacable

and angry
וְזָעֵ֗ף (wə·zā·‘êp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2198: Angry

because
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Naboth
נָבוֹת֙ (nā·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5022: Naboth -- a Jezreelite

the Jezreelite
הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִ֔י (hay·yiz·rə·‘ê·lî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3158: Jezreelite -- an inhabitant of Jezreel

had told him,
דִּבֶּ֣ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

“I will not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

give
אֶתֵּ֥ן (’et·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you
לְךָ֖ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

the inheritance
נַחֲלַ֣ת (na·ḥă·laṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion

of my fathers.”
אֲבוֹתָ֑י (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

He lay down
וַיִּשְׁכַּב֙ (way·yiš·kaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his bed,
מִטָּת֔וֹ (miṭ·ṭā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4296: A bed, for, sleeping, eating, a sofa, litter, bier

turned his face
פָּנָ֖יו (pā·nāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

away,
וַיַּסֵּ֥ב (way·yas·sêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

and refused
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to eat.
אָ֥כַל (’ā·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat


Links
1 Kings 21:4 NIV
1 Kings 21:4 NLT
1 Kings 21:4 ESV
1 Kings 21:4 NASB
1 Kings 21:4 KJV

1 Kings 21:4 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 21:4 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 21:4 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 21:4 French Bible
1 Kings 21:4 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 21:4 Ahab came into his house sullen (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 21:3
Top of Page
Top of Page