1 Kings 21: Naboth Refuses to Sell Vineyard – Clear & Engaging Audio Bible Reading | Jezebel’s Plot, Ahab’s Greed, and Prophetic Judgment

Immerse yourself in the dramatic events of 1 Kings 21 with this clear and engaging audio recording. Follow the story of Naboth’s refusal to sell his vineyard to the greedy King Ahab, the scheming of Jezebel to obtain it by any means necessary, and the prophetic judgment that ultimately befalls them. Perfect for study, reflection, or meditation, this powerful chapter speaks to personal integrity, social justice, and God’s sovereignty. Let the Scriptures come alive.

1 KINGS 21 (NIV)

1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to
Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of
Ahab king of Samaria.

2 Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use
for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will
give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is
worth.”

3 But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance
of my ancestors.”

4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said,
“I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed
sulking and refused to eat.

5 His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t
you eat?”

6 He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your
vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’
But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”

7 Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and
eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them
to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him.

9 In those
letters she wrote:
“Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the
people.

10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges
that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to
death.”

11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed
in the letters she had written to them.

12 They proclaimed a fast and seated
Naboth in a prominent place among the people.

13 Then two scoundrels came and
sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying,
“Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city
and stoned him to death.

14 Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been
stoned to death.”

15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to
Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite
that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.”

16 When Ahab
heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of
Naboth’s vineyard.

17 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite:

18 “Go down to meet
Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard,
where he has gone to take possession of it.

19 Say to him, ‘This is what the
Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to
him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s
blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”

20 Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!”
“I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in
the eyes of the Lord.

21 He says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you. I will
wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in
Israel—slave or free.

22 I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of
Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have aroused my anger and
have caused Israel to sin.’

23 “And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by
the wall of Jezreel.’

24 “Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds
will feed on those who die in the country.”

25 (There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes
of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.

26 He behaved in the vilest manner
by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.)

27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and
fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.

28 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite:

29 “Have you noticed
how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will
not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the
days of his son.”