Meditating on the tragic death of Naboth, a clear example of a man who died on the principle that he would not sell out the heritage of his fathers. What I’m thinking about this morning, though, is not the wicked plot of Jezebel or the wicked passivity of Ahab.
I King 21:1-7- And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
Rather, I’m meditating on the wicked participation of the elders of the city.
I Kings 21:8-14- So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.
They knew the accusation against Naboth was baseless, for what was required was finding “sons of Belial” to bear false witness against him.
They knew that Naboth was a man of integrity and honor. Yet, so as not to incur the displeasure of the powerful king and queen, they saw his righteous cause as inconvenient and unworthy of defending.
They found the false witnesses.
They stirred up the city against Naboth, on account of his “blasphemy” against God.
They occasioned his death.
They destroyed his heritage.
They killed not only Naboth, but his heirs.
They erased a name in Israel. All because of fear that they would be next if they stood on principle with the defenseless one.
It’s easy to wax indignant against accusations of wrongdoing of a brother who has no connections, limited influence, and a position that adds no value to one’s own worth and ambitions.
It’s quite another thing to refuse to hide the sin and indiscretion of those more prominent.
May I remind you that the elders of this city had one duty, and that was to speak the truth, even if that put them on the wrong side of Ahab and Jezebel. God’s men have the same responsibility. They must speak the truth, even if it puts them on the wrong side of a wicked, yet prominent, figure. Certainly, it is not their duty to hide his sin, and join with him in destroying the inconvenient voices.
II Kings 10:11- So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
The elders of the city did not escape the judgment of Ahab. Jehu destroyed them the same. Naboth went home to his reward. Those who destroyed his name, reputation, and heritage received theirs as well.
I’d rather be with Naboth than Jezebel.
