I know what I want, what I really, really want……

So there was a man who had a vineyard. A vineyard that someone else wanted. And that someone else was the king.

King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard because it was near his palace and he wanted to turn it into a vegetable garden. He wasn’t going to just take it. He offered to pay for it or find Naboth a better vineyard.

But Naboth said no.

So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.  1 Kings 21:4

Ahab was the king. He wasn’t used to not getting his own way. So he sulked.

His wife Jezebel was having none of it –

“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.”  1 Kings 21:7

What on earth do you think you’re doing? Sulking? Really? It so doesn’t suit you. You’re the king, for goodness sake! So act like it! Get your act together and grow up. I’ll get you what you want.

And she did. She deceived Naboth into attending a prominent event and got two rogues to make false accusations against him so that he was taken away and stoned to death.

There you go. Job done. Ahab had not known what Jezebel had planned to do but he let her get on with it without asking any questions and was happy enough to take possession of the vineyard when it became free.

Elijah went to Ahab to convey God’s anger with talk of dogs licking up Ahab’s blood and dogs devouring Jezebel and dogs eating those who belong to Ahab who die in the city…..

When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.  1 Kings 21:27

Maybe Ahab was truly sorry this time. Maybe he was afraid of the consequences of what he had allowed to happen. Maybe he realised the error of his ways.

God saw into his heart and believed his repentance –

“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”  1 Kings 21:29

What a story!

So as I prepare to go on holiday for two weeks and leave you in Andy’s capable hands, let me pose a few questions for you to ponder…..

• when was the last time you wanted something that someone else had?
• how far are you prepared to go to get something that you want?
• how do you react when you don’t get your own way?
• can you think of any examples recently where you have not acted your age but your shoe size or not acted appropriately for the role that you have?
• turning a blind eye is not acceptable. Seeing something wrong and doing or saying nothing makes you complicit in the wrong. How good are you for standing up for what is right and speaking out against what is wrong?
• how do you show when you are truly sorry?
• has this story brought to light anything you need to put right in your own life?