Definition: Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which [is] in Samaria: behold, [he is] in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.
Explanation: Okay, letโs break down this verse from 1 Kings 21:18. Itโs a really important and dramatic passage about injustice and betrayal. Hereโs what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: Ahab the King: This is a powerful and vengeful king named Ahab. He was known for being greedy and wanting to control wealth. Samaria: He was traveling to Samaria, which is a city in Israel (the land God gave to the Israelites). The Vineyard: Ahab was looking for a specific place โ a vineyard โ that Naboth, a wealthy and influential official in the kingdom of Israel, had promised him. What happened next? Nabothโs Request: Naboth was asking Ahab to give him a portion of the land he owned. He wanted to use the land for his own benefit, likely to build a temple or other things. Ahab's Greed: Ahab, being incredibly greedy and powerful, refused to do it. He saw the land as something he could control. Going Down to the Vineyard: Ahab traveled down to this vineyard in Samaria with his advisors. The Key Point - Itโs a Breach of Trust & Justice: This verse is a major turning point because it reveals that Ahab was violating a sacred trust and taking advantage of Naboth's position. It shows that even powerful rulers can be unjust when they abuse their authority for personal gain. Why is this significant? Itโs a story of betrayal: It highlights the dangers of greed and how it can lead to conflict and injustice. It establishes a pattern: This event sets the stage for much later events in the Old Testament, including the story of David and Goliath. In short, this verse describes a situation where a king ignored a sacred agreement and sought to exploit a wealthy official's land, leading to a conflict that ultimately impacted Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Give you a brief summary of the story surrounding this event?