Want it All

 DEVOTION

1^ST KINGS

WANT IT ALL

1 Kings 21:1-14

21:1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 Ahab said to Naboth, "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth." 3 But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers." 4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. 5 His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?" 6 He answered her, "Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, 'Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'" 7 Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." 8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him. 9 In those letters she wrote: "Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death." 11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. 12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 13 Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth has cursed both God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. 14 Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned and is dead."

NIV

More evil, but this was all Jezebel. On the surface, she was concerned about her husband, wanting him not to be sullen nor to eat. It could appear she was motivated by her love for Ahab. However, the story here is about Ahab lusting after what belongs to another. He was trying to do the right thing by offering something in exchange for a vineyard that he wanted to turn into a vegetable garden. This vineyard of Naboth had been in his family for years, which would have meant the vines were old and well cared for, producing fine grapes for an even finer wine. The vineyard was Naboth’s inheritance that he had invested in. He had no desire to give it up, for whatever reason. However, this lust, this desire for Naboth’s vineyard that was not being fulfilled, drove Ahab into despair, sullen and not wanting to eat. Yes, the evil of Jezebel is another story, for she is a wicked woman, for she had Naboth killed, just so her husband could take possession of what he wanted. It is not right to desire what belongs to another. This lust is usually motivated by either jealousy or envy, but Ahab was the king of Israel. He lived in a palace, had many servants, the finest of clothes, the best of foods, he lived the ‘Good life” so many people desire for themselves. We do live the “good life” because, first, we know our Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior, and we have been given life eternal. Second, the Lord has blessed us with so many material things of this world. We live in a fine home, wear nice clothing, eat good food, and enjoy each day. He gives us the ability to praise and honor Him. What more could we need? Why would we lust after anything someone has? Why would we ever be jealous of another? Why would we envy what someone has or does? Ahab was wrong; he had more than enough, more than all others; he was the king of Israel. We cannot afford to get this wrong. We know the truth; we have learned to be content and trust in the Lord. He loves us, leads us, protects us, and provides for us, so what more do we need? We do not need to desire what someone has; we have it all. We do not need to be like Ahab and want it all.