MPV Commentary

Naboth Refuses Ahab His Vineyard.

Ahab wanted Naboth's vineyard in Jezreel because of its proximity to the palace and desired it for a vegetable garden. He offered to trade Naboth a better vineyard or buy his from him, but Naboth refused. This refusal was not driven by disloyalty or disrespect towards Ahab, but rather by a conscientious commitment to the divine law that prohibits selling ancestral property (Leviticus 25:23; Numbers 36:7). If an inheritance had to be sold due to extreme poverty or debt, it could only be done with the condition of being redeemable at any time (Leviticus 25:25-27), and it would revert back to the owner in the jubilee year (Leviticus 25:28). Therefore, Naboth refused Ahab's demand because he couldn't alienate his family's inheritance.

Ahab's sulky demeanor was not due to rudeness or disrespect from Naboth, but rather a selfish spirit that couldn't accept being denied something it wanted. This lack of character would have led him to tyrannical behavior if he had the power.

Ahab turned away his face, either to hide his vexation from his attendants or to feign great sorrow in order to prompt them to find ways to satisfy his desires.