This seems a reasonable request, so why did Naboth reject it out of hand? He said, “Jehovah forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to thee!” (1 Ki. 21:3). He was a faithful Israelite who knew the law of God. Among other things this said, “the land shall not be sold for ever” (Lev. 25:23). He had no reason to sell his vineyard, and as a near neighbor he would have been all too aware of Ahab’s wicked character (1 Ki. 21:25); he could never have trusted him to return it (Lev. 25:14–18). His reply was the only right one.

Ahab wanted to change the vineyard into a garden of herbs. One has written, “herbs are for the use of men; the vineyard is that which makes glad the heart of God and man” (cf. Judg. 9:13). Naboth’s inheritance was non-negotiable, something to be treasured and used according to God’s will and for His pleasure, not the selfish whims of a godless king. Ahab’s reaction was pathetic, and his wife Jezebel’s plot against Naboth was evil.

We should also know God’s Word and what it says about the true Christian heritage of believers in this day of the Spirit. Are we going to give it up when the going gets tough, or seek His help to remain obedient, even when it costs us dearly? The sin of Ahab and Jezebel against Naboth was particularly odious in God’s sight, and eventually they paid the price for it according to Elijah’s words (1 Ki. 21:21–24). Retaining his title to a vineyard rather than selling it as a garden of herbs may seem a little matter to us, but we can be sure Naboth will get his reward in a coming day, just as we will if we are faithful to our Lord now.