Division: A Study in 1 KingsSample

What does it say?

Naboth was murdered for refusing to sell his vineyard to Ahab. But God spared Ahab’s life when he responded with mourning and fasting to Elijah’s prophecy of judgment.

What does it mean?

Although Ahab’s childish response to Naboth’s refusal wasn’t fitting for a king, Jezebel’s solution was inconceivable. She manipulated Israel’s law to commit murder and forcibly take what Ahab wanted. Both the king and queen were totally without conscience. Ahab made himself an enemy of God by continually following his wife’s wicked advice rather than listening to the prophet of the Lord. There had never been anyone as evil and vile as Ahab. But Elijah’s prophecy jolted Ahab to the core and triggered sincere repentance. God saw the change in Ahab’s heart and responded with mercy.

How should I respond?

Violence and deceit have escalated to unimaginable heights. People steal what they want and often kill without remorse. Are those people more deserving of hell than others? Two thoughts emerge from today’s passage: no one is beyond hope with the Lord, and God’s mercy and grace extend to even the most vile. How do you react when a violent criminal claims to have found God in prison? Do you marvel at God’s grace, or are you agitated by the seeming injustice? Remember – if Christ’s death couldn’t pay for the most reprehensible act, then neither could it cover our sins. The next time you see a notorious criminal on the news, stop and pray. Reality may jolt them into repentance.