1 Kings 21:2

“And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, etc.] For a kitchen garden to produce eatables of the vegetable kind for his household, or for a flower garden; and perhaps for both, as Kimchi observes, it being customary to have such in court yards, or behind the house; perhaps he might take his notion of an herb garden from his neighbours the Syrians, who were very diligent and laborious in cultivating their gardens, as Pliny f444; hence “multa Syrorum olera”, the many herbs of the Syrians, became a proverb with the Greeks: because it is near unto mine house; lay very convenient for him: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than…”

“I will give thee the worth of it in money - literally, “I will give thee silver, the worth of it.” Money, in our sense of the word, that is to say, coins of definite values, did not yet exist. The first coin known to the Jews was the Persian daric, with which they became acquainted during the captivity. (1 Chronicles 29:7 note). return to 'Top of Page'”

“21:2-3 Naboth refused Ahab’s generous offer to buy or exchange land for his vineyard. While he may have desired to sell, Naboth noted that the law said that inherited property should stay in the family or tribe that originally owned it (Lev 25:23-28; Num 36:7-9). Unlike the kings of the surrounding nations, who could seize whatever property they wished (1 Sam 8:11-17), Ahab was bound by Israel’s law.”

“Give me: The request of Ahab, at first view, appears fair and honourable. But, as he most evidentially wished Naboth to alienate it finally, which was expressly forbidden and provided against in the law of God ( Lev 25:14-28), it was high iniquity in Ahab to tempt him to do it, and to covet it showed the depravity of his soul. Gen 3:6; Exo 20:17; Deu 5:21; Sa1 8:14; Jer 22:17; Hab 2:9-11; Luk 12:15; Ti1 6:9; Jam 1:14, Jam 1:15 a garden of herbs: Kg2 9:27; Deu 11:10; Ecc 2:5; Sol 4:15 seem good to thee: Heb. be good in thine eyes, Gen 16:6; Sa1 8:6, Sa1 29:6 3 Kings (1 Kings) 21:3”