1 Kings 21:1-7 ▼

1 Meanwhile, there was a man named Naboth from Jezreel who owned a vineyard that was located contiguous to King Ahab's palace in Samaria.

2 Ahab addressed Naboth and asked him, |I would like to plant a vegetable garden near my house. Please exchange your vineyard with a better one from me, or if you'd rather have cash, I'll buy it for its full value.|

3 But Naboth replied to Ahab, |No way! The LORD prohibits the sale to you of the inheritance of my ancestors!|

4 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.

5 But his wife Jezebel went to him and asked him, |How is it that you're so sullen and refusing to eat?|

6 |I asked Naboth the Jezreelite, 'Sell me your vineyard for cash, or if you want, I'll give you a better one in its place.' But he refused. He told me, 'I won't give you my vineyard!'|

7 |Aren't you the reigning king of Israel,| his wife Jezebel replied. |Get up, have a meal, and get ready to be happy. I'll go get you the vineyard that Naboth the Jezreelite owns.|