1 Kings 21: Group Study Handout

Overview

Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel. Ahab, king of Samaria, asked Naboth to give him the vineyard for a better one or for money. Naboth refused, saying, 'May Yahweh forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you' (vv.

Key verse

“Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it.”

1 Kings 21:18 (WEB)

Outline

1. 1 Kings 21:1–3 Ahab's Request for Naboth's Vineyard
2. 1 Kings 21:4–7 Ahab's Discontent and Jezebel's Scheme
3. 1 Kings 21:8–14 Jezebel's Deception and Naboth's Death
4. 1 Kings 21:15–16 Ahab Takes Possession
5. 1 Kings 21:17–24 Elijah's Prophecy of Judgment
6. 1 Kings 21:25–27 Ahab's Repentance
7. 1 Kings 21:28–29 God's Mercy and Future Judgment

Discussion questions

1. In v3, why does Naboth refuse Ahab's offer for his vineyard?
2. What does Jezebel ask Ahab to do after Naboth is killed in v15?
3. Ahab's response in v27: what does it indicate about his character and beliefs?
4. In v21, what does Elijah's prophecy about Ahab imply regarding divine judgment?
5. When have you felt pressured to compromise your values like Naboth in v3?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Kings 21: 2 Kings 9, 2 Kings 10, 1 Kings 16.

Before next time: read 1 Kings 22.