Westminster Annotations, 1 Kings (3 Kings) · Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI.
Vers. 1. AFter these things] After the fore-mentioned victories. This circumstance of time hath relation to Ahabs covetousnesse and cruelty, not to Naboths vineyard, which he had from his ancestours, v. 3.
Jezreel] See Chap. 18. 45.
V. 2. Give] Let me have by sale or exchange.
a garden of herbs] Pleasant and usefull, Deut. 11. 10.
it is neer] The fit situation of it made him the more to covet it.
seem good to thee] Heb. be good in thine eyes.
V. 3. The Lord forbid] Heb. This be abomination to me from the Lord: The LORD keep me from this, as from an abominable thing. It is a phrase that sets out an utter detesting of a thing, as Gen. 44. 7. Josh. 22. 29.
inheritance of my fathers] Which is forbidden to be alienated, Levit. 25. 23. Num. 36. 7. Ezek. 46. 18.
V. 4. heav…e] Very sad, and discontented in his spirit, v. 5, See Chap. 20. v. 43.
turned his face] From the company, as if he would have none to speak to him.
eat no bread] Take no sustenance, as if he would starve himself.
V. 5. his wise] Herein like Eve, Gen. 3. 6.
V. 6. my vineyard] Naboth said, My fathers inheritance, v. 3. to shew the reason of his refusall, which Ahab left out, to aggravate the matter.
V. 7. dost thou govern] She impiously implies, that it is the part of a supreme governour to take from his subjects what he list, by fair or foul means; and checks him for his remisnesse in not using the power he hath.
let thine heart be merry] Heb. let thy heart be good. Cast off this sadnesse of spirit. So Judg. 16. 25. 1 Sam. 25. 36.
I will give] I will take a course to get Naboths vineyard for thee.
V 8. in Ahabs name] A… Esth. 3. 12.
elders] See Chap. 20. 7. Chief magistrates.
nobles] Heb. the white ones: For great and noble persons were wont to go in white or fair robes, Gen. 41. 42. Esth. 8. 15.
his city] Naboths city, Jezreel, where Naboth dwelt, and where he was a prime man.
V. 9. a fast] That what ye do may be thought to be done through zeal of Gods glory. In dayes of fast they were wont to enquire after haynous sinners, executing the law on them, and so seeking reconciliation with God, Num. 25. 7, 8. Psal. 106. 30.
on high among the people] Heb. in the top of the people; In an high place, according to his dignity, that ye may not seem to have plotted this against him: or cause him to come from among the people, to appear in some conspicuous place before the judges, or among the chief of the people.
V. 10▪ two men] By reason of the law, Deut. 13. 5.
sons of Belial] This Hebrew phrase sets out men of a most desperate condition, who care not what they do. According to the notation of the word, Belial signifieth, without yoke, or, without profit; such as Judg. 19. 22. 1 Sam. 2. 12. This title is attributed to the devil, 2 Cor. 6. 15.
blaspheme] The Hebrew word properly signifieth to blesse. The Jews so abhorred blasphemie against God, as they would not have the sound of blasphemie joyned with the Name of God, but expressed under a word of the contrary sense. So Jo… 1. 5. See Chap. 14. 24. See the Notes on 1 Cor. 16. 22.
God and the king] These two are joyned, to work in such as heard it a greater detestation of the crime; that they who sleighted the king, might be moved at the Name of God; and they who regarded not God, might he moved at the name of the king.
carry him out, and stone him] Both these were according to the law, Levit. 24. 14.
V. 11. men of this city] Such citizens as had votes in city▪ businesses.
and elders, &c.] See v. 8.
did as, &c.] Every way executed her bloody plot.
V 12. a fast, &c.] See v. 9.
V. 13. stoned him] And his children, 2 Kin. 9. 26. so was Acha… and his children, and all that he had, dealt withall, Josh. 7. 24. Thus was none left to lay claim to the vineyard, so as it did escheat to the king. See the Notes on Numb. 15. 35, 36.
V. 14. they sent, &c.] To give evidence of their readinesse to execute her cruell designe.
V. 15. Arise] A phrase of inciting one without delay, speedily to do a thing, Gen. 19. 15.
take possession] Of that which is now fallen to thee, as v. 13.
V. 17. Elijah] A prophet that feared not the face of Ahab, Chap. 18. 18.
Tishbite] See Chap. 17. 1,
V. 18. is in Samaria] Now at this instant. Or, he dwels at Samaria.
he is in the vineyard] Being now going thither, there thou shalt finde him.
V. 19. Hast thou killed] Hast thou not feared to kill? He is said to kill, First, In that he was the first occasion thereof. Secondly, in that, as is probable, he knew the whole carriage. Thirdly, in that he punished not the actors thereof. Fourthly, in that he approved and ratified it by taking possession.
and also] Was it not enough to take away his life, but that thou must also alienate the inheritance from the family, against Gods law? See v. 2.
dogs licked] Or, like as the dogs. This was accomplished in Ahab, chap. 22. 38. and in his son, 2 King. 9. 25, 26. Malefactours blood being spilt on the ground, dogs that came by used to lick it up.
V. 20. Hast thou found me?] Art thou so envious and audacious as to dog me, and meet me wheresoever I am?
O mine enemy] Which never speakest good, but evill unto me, as chap. 22. 6.
I have sound thee] I have cause to come to thee, and to denounce Gods judgement against thee.
thou hast sold thy self] 2 King. 17. 17. Thou hast given thy self over as a slave, to do any evill that thy lust would have thee do, Eph. 4. 19.
in the sight of God] Heb. in the eyes. Notwithstanding thou knowest that God seeth thee: and so doest what thou doest in despight of God, Num. 32. 13.
V. 21. Behold, I will bring upon thee] Chap. 14. 10. 2 King. 9. 8. This is here added as a judgement upon the forementioned iniquity, that because he had sold himself to work evill, therefore the LORD would bring evill upon him. So as there should be (v. 20.) a period after found thee, and a comma after LORD.
him that pisseth against the wall] 1 Sam. 25. 22.
him that is shut up] Chap. 14. 10.
V. 22. Jeroboam the son of Nebat] Chap. 15. 29.
Baasha the s…n of Ahijah] Chap. 16. 3.
V. 23. of Jezebel also spake the Lord] 2 Kings 9. 36.
wall] Or, ditch.
V. 24. the dogs shall eat] Chap. 14. 11.
V. 25. there was none] See chap. 16. 33.
stirred up] Or, incited. See v. 7.
V. 26. idols] Not onelyonly the golden calves, but Baal and other idols. See chap. 16. 31. see the notes on 2 King. 17. 12.
the Amorites] The wickedest even among the heathen, Gen. 15. 16. 2 King. 21. 11.
V. 27. rent, &c.] All these are externall signs of penitency, warrantable, and commendable, when they proceed from an inward answerable devotion. First, Rending clothes sets out contrition of heart, 2 King. 22. 11. See the notes on 2 King. 18. 37. Secondly, Futting on sackcloth, acknowledgement of ones unworthinesse of any soft, or comely apparrell, Jon. 3. 6. Thirdly, Fasting, an acknowledgement of ones unworthinesse of any sustenance, 2 Sam. 12. 16. Fourthly, Lying in sackcloth, a means to keep from sleep, that the soul might watch unto prayer, Joel 1. 13. See notes on Gen. 27. 34. Fifthly, Going softly, a mourning disposition, Isai. 38. 15.
V. 28. came] See chap. 17. 2.
Tishbite] See chap. 17. 1.
V. 29. humbleth himself] In outward appearance as a true penitent: but not in the inward truth of his heart: for he turned from none of his sins.
I will not bring] Externall and temporary humiliation may put off a temporary judgement.
in his sons, &c.] See this accomplished, 2 King. 9. 15, &c.