1 Kings 21 · Grade 4
Covetousness and Murder
Read and Think
Naboth of Jezreel had a vineyard beside Ahab's palace. Ahab wanted it for a vegetable garden and offered a better vineyard or money. Naboth refused, saying the Lord forbid that he should give the inheritance of his fathers. In Israel, land was a trust from God to each family and was not to be sold away permanently.
Ahab went home sullen and angry and refused to eat. Jezebel asked whether he ruled Israel and promised to give him the vineyard. She wrote letters in Ahab's name, sealed with his seal, ordering a fast and two worthless men to accuse Naboth of cursing God and the king. The elders obeyed. Naboth was stoned, and Ahab went down to take the vineyard.
God sent Elijah to meet Ahab there. Ahab called him his enemy. Elijah announced that Ahab had sold himself to do evil, and judgment would fall on his house and on Jezebel, as on Jeroboam's and Baasha's. No one sold himself to do evil like Ahab, stirred up by Jezebel. Yet when Ahab heard this, he tore his clothes, wore sackcloth, fasted, and went softly. God told Elijah that because Ahab humbled himself, the disaster would not come in his days.
Show What You Know
Why would Naboth not sell his land?
How did Jezebel make the letters look official?
What did Elijah say Ahab had sold himself to do?
What did Ahab do when he heard the judgment?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Ahab wanted it for a vegetable garden and offered a better or money.
- refused, saying the Lord forbid that he should give the inheritance of his fathers.
- In Israel, land was a trust from to each family and was not to be sold away permanently.
- went home sullen and angry and refused to eat.
- asked whether he ruled Israel and promised to give him the vineyard.
Think About It
Ahab's wanting what was not his led to great evil. How can you fight against coveting?
Even Ahab received mercy when he humbled himself. What does that teach you about God?
Memory Verse
“Naboth said to Ahab, “May Yahweh forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!””
1 Kings 21:3 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for seeing what is right. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you stand firm for what is right?
- How can you stand up for someone who is treated unfairly?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.