Naboth’s Vineyard

21 Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 So Ahab said to Naboth “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer I will give you its value in silver.”

3 But Naboth replied “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”

4 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

5 Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat

6 Ahab answered “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you [another] vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’ ”

7 But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”