Elijah's Last Encounter With Ahab

By Martin A. Recio

Elijah’s last encounter with king Ahab was an accusatory one.

The Story
Next to Ahab’s palace was the vineyard of Naboth. In spite of what was offered, Naboth did not wish to sell his land. It was his ancestral possession. Scripture states that Naboth’s refusal to part with his vineyard caused the king of Israel to sulk like a petulant child. He laid down on his bed, and turned his face to the wall and would eat no bread.

When Jezebel, his wife and queen, discovered the reason for his behavior, she resolved to act. She took matters into her own hands. Jezebel had no regard for the Lord God of hosts, or His prophets, or for the laws of Israel. She chided and comforted the king of the nation: “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.” I Kings 21:7

The king of Israel kept silent, although he knew that Jezebel planned evil. He thought that by remaining silent he would escape the consequences of Naboth’s murder. But Elijah was quick to point out his error.

Jezebel moved quickly. She proclaimed a fast in expiation for an unknown sin. However, at the proper time, the nature of the sin would be known. Then the people would pronounce the judgment. Naboth was set on high as the one to be incriminated before the elders of the nation. Two fellows of the baser sort came and sat opposite him, charging: “Naboth didst blaspheme God and the King.” I Kings 21:13 Enraged, the people took Naboth out and stoned him to death.

The queen had planned well. Jezebel—who did not believe in the Lord God of Israel—had Naboth accused, charged, and condemned with the sin of cursing God and the king. In Israel, this was blasphemy and treason. The property of one put to death for treason was forfeited to the crown.

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth was dead, she said to Ahab: “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive but dead.” I Kings 21:15 The king did so, and was in possession of Naboth’s vineyard, when the Lord instructed Elijah to go and meet Ahab with the message of judgment: “Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? (The murder of Naboth, Elijah charged directly to king Ahab.) Thus saith the Lord: “In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, shall the dogs lick up thy blood.”

Startled, Ahab said to Elijah: “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” The king was aware that his sin had been uncovered. It was not Jezebel who had killed, but Ahab. And he had come to take possession, as though he could murder with impunity. Elijah left no place for pretense or self-delusion. He came straight out: “I have found thee; because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I…will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel. “ I King 21:2021

Struck to the Heart
Ahab was struck to the heart. His conscience was aroused. He remembered the fire on Mount Carmel, amidst the glory and grandeur of the Lord God. He remembered the coming of the rains, and his deliverance from the armies of Syria and Ben-hadad. It was against the Lord God that he sinned who had manifested his power and glory to Ahab, and had given his deliverance.

Though incited to sin by his wife, Jezebel, and to work evil, the king was no fool. He rent his clothes, wore sackcloth on his flesh and fasted. He repented and humbled himself before the Lord God, and in the presence of all his people.
“And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his day: but in his son’s day.” I Kings 21:29

Although his house was to be swept away, Ahab’s repentance and public humiliation brought a postponement of the judgment. Ahab was later to fall in battle, but he died as he had never lived—with courage, endurance, and in fear of the Lord God. Elijah’s words, character, and mission deeply affected the king of Israel. But though he humbled himself before the Lord, and learned to fear Him, Ahab withheld the surrender of his heart to the will of God.

The word of the Lord has this awesome power: it can strike to the heart, and it can quicken the soul of all who would hear. The essence of the Old Testament Religion and the New Testament Religion is the same: it is still a matter of the heart. God’s word can strike one to the heart and turn one to the Lord Jesus. And with the coming of the Spirit, the heart can be turned to the will of the Lord God. So let it be, O Lord Jesus.

Martin A. Recio writes from Ashland, Oregon.