Lesson 10 – The Lord Forbid
Read 1 Kings 21:1-16 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1KI.21.ESV
1 Kings 21:3 – But Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.

 Naboth owned a vineyard next door to Ahab’s palace. One day Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard so I can use it as a kitchen garden; it is right next to my house and it would be so convenient. I will be glad to give you a far better vineyard in exchange, or I will buy it from you.”

Naboth replied, “So help me God, I will never give the family farm to you!”

Ahab went home in a black mood, angry and sad because Naboth had said he would never turn over his family inheritance to him. Ahab went to bed, turned his face into his pillow, and refused to eat. His wife Jezebel came into the bedroom and asked him what was wrong that he was refusing to eat. Ahab told her about Naboth telling him he would never give him his vineyard.

Jezebel replied, “You are the king but you are certainly not acting like it! Get up, go eat and cheer up; I will take care of this and get Naboth’s vineyard for you.” Jezebel wrote letters to the city leaders over her husband the king’s signature and used his official seal. She told them to call a fast day and seat Naboth at the head table. Then have some men who would falsely accuse anyone (they were paid to lie) sit across from Naboth. When everyone arrived, they were to have the liars accuse Naboth of blaspheming God and the king. Then the people were to take Naboth outside and stone him to death for the crime he was falsely accused of but did not commit.

The city leaders carried out the orders in Jezebel’s letter, and Naboth was killed without mercy. When Jezebel heard he was dead, she sent word to her husband. Ahab did not waste any time, but went right next door to Naboth’s vineyard and claimed it as his own.


Sometimes we get caught in the middle of something too, something that isn’t God’s will. Peter, for example, on the night Jesus was arrested, thought he was doing the right thing by pulling his sword to defend Jesus (John 18:1-11). Peter did not understand what it meant for Jesus to be the Lamb of God. He could only see what HE thought was right, and discovered his way was the wrong way.

*Have you done something you thought was the right thing, only to find out later that it was the wrong thing to do? What change did you make in your life to make sure you are always listening to Jesus before you act?