Thursday, January 14, 2016

I Kings 21: Eminent Domain

In I Kings 21, I am struck by how Ahab falls into the same trap of abusing his royal power that David did, and how unlike human kings God is in His mercy.

Many years earlier, David saw something that he lusted after, but it did not belong to him (Bathsheba).  Still, in his covetousness as king, he had to have it, so he took it.  Later, he ordered the death of a man (Uriah) to cover his iniquity. He took what had been Uriah's for his own.  God sent a prophet (Nathan) to confront David.

In I Kings 21, Ahab sees something that he covets: the neighboring vineyard of Naboth.  He tries to trade or buy the property from Naboth, but the king is rebuffed.  The vineyard is a precious inheritance to Naboth, and he doesn't wish to sell it.  Ordinarily this would settle the matter, but Ahab bitterly pouts over this rejection of his offer.  He lays down, turns away his face, and refuses to eat because he doesn't get what he wants (vs. 4).  Some way for the king of Israel to act!

Jezebel comes up with a solution - one of the first examples of "eminent domain" where the government gets the right to have the property it wants.  Jezebel uses subterfuge to have Naboth falsely incriminated and killed, thus freeing up the property for Ahab to take over.  She follows through on her dastardly plan and - just like Uriah - another innocent man is killed to satisfy the desires of the king.  God sends the prophet Elijah to confront Ahab and render a verdict.

Contrast the greedy schemes of David and Ahab with the mercies of God, the King of the Universe!  In the Lord's "eminent domain," He dispenses true justice to the guilty, yet also rewards repentance with kindness.  In both instances, God declares judgment on the houses of David and Ahab for their sins.  Their acts of evil will be visited back upon them.  But also, in both cases, God sees genuine regret and sorrow on the part of the men.  He softens His wrath in response to their repentance and spares them, although they will reap consequences in the next generation.

Isn't it wonderful that, in His divine mercy, God is always on the lookout for signs of humility?  God is not willing that any should perish, but is seeking something on our part that He can work with.  Even for someone as wretched as Ahab (look at verse 25 and 26), God is more inclined to show mercy than rain down destruction whenever He can.  That should give hope to us all!

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