June 27th - Reflection

1 Kings 21:1-16 (NRSV)
Ahab and Jezebel rob Naboth
Later the following events took place: Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. And Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard, so that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house; I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money." But Naboth said to Ahab, "The Lord forbid that I should give you my ancestral inheritance." 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.


His wife Jezebel came to him and said, "Why are you so depressed that you will not eat?" He said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard for it'; but he answered, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'" His wife Jezebel said to him, "Do you now govern Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."

So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal; she sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. She wrote in the letters, "Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth at the head of the assembly; seat two scoundrels opposite him, and have them bring a charge against him, saying, 'You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out, and stone him to death." The men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. Just as it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth at the head of the assembly. The two scoundrels came in and sat opposite him; and the scoundrels brought a charge against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed God and the king." So they took him outside the city, and stoned him to death. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, "Naboth has been stoned; he is dead."

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, "Go, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead." As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab set out to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

Reflection
So something is wanted by someone of more societal power and worth. Let the plot begin. Jezebel sees the opportunity to get something for someone she loves and respects, Ahab. The plot and plan takes place. Naboth is accused by two false witnesses about something Naboth said. It is difficult to defend your words against two false witnesses, so Naboth looses and is killed. Seems extreme but also Naboth's sons were put to death also because it all implicated a plot against the king.

Ahab got what we wanted. Jezebel got to show her allegiance. But the act taken was wrong and no one in this passage stood for right. This happens over and over, one way or another today, and has been repeated throughout time. Who stands up? At a minimum these people need to be made aware of the cost of getting some land and be told that their actions can't be upheld, that punishment is in order.

Prayer
Lord, if I'm involved in a plot like this, get through to me beforehand, and if I'm involved in a sin like this, teach me to be the one who stands up and speaks of the wrong taking place. Show me how to love others and you would love them. --- Amen