INTRODUCTION
Not much is known about Naboth in Scriptures. He was not from the royal family neither was he a priest. He was just a Hebrew who was contented with what God had given him and was faithful to his Lord till death. His story was summarised in one chapter in the Bible but we can glean wisdom for our lives from his story. I call him a righteous man because he stood for what was right before God. His story is found in I Kings 21. From the story of Naboth, we would pick out certain issues about the life of a righteous man and certain challenges that confront him.
DIVINE LOCATION AND INHERITANCE
And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. (I Kg 21:1)
Naboth like every other righteous man had been divinely located. Naboth’s vineyard was divinely located by the king’s palace. We too have been divinely located by the palace of the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is a position of great envy and many would want to have it. We ought therefore to guard it jealously and never part with it. It was this enviable position that brought Naboth into the spotlight of Scriptures. He had a vineyard which must have been handed down to him by his forefathers through many generations. This vineyard was his inheritance and it was near the king’s palace. We too as children of God have received an inheritance which has been handed down to us. This inheritance is our faith in Christ. The fathers of faith that went before us guarded this faith and body of truth and we have come by mercy to receive it. The vineyard was an inheritance, Naboth did not buy it nor did he work for it. In the same vein, our salvation is a free gift which we neither worked to receive nor paid for. This not withstanding does not lower the value of this gift for its worth cannot be quantified in monetary terms. We must therefore guard this inheritance jealously.
THE KING’S PROPOSAL
Ahab the king on considering the good location of Naboth’s vineyard (it was close to his house) made a proposal to Naboth.
And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. (I Kg 21:2)
King Ahab asked Naboth to give him the vineyard. His desire was to convert it to a garden of herbs. He offered to give Naboth a better vineyard than his present one or pay its full worth in money. Ahab’s proposal looked wonderful on the surface however it takes a righteous man with spiritual insight to discern its flaws.
Firstly, there is no vineyard or inheritance a man can give you that can ever be better than that which God has ordained for you. Ahab’s vineyard may look better financially or otherwise but it can never be better in God’s eyes. For one, it would be at a different location than the one God ordained for Naboth. It would be far from the king’s palace. This for us is a lesson never to depart from God’s divine location for our lives. Other areas may look greener but God’s choice for us is the best. We can learn a lesson from the life of Lot. He chose the lush green and well watered plains of Sodom and Gomorrah and ended up losing all he laboured for and gathered for years. He even lost his wife and was only able to escape with his life and his two daughters. His story did not end well though he was a righteous man. Abraham, on the other hand, whose position looked like a less choice land, was blessed abundantly in the land because that was God’s divine location for his life. Therefore brethren, we must never be seen in the league of people lobbying for postings and appointments in our places of work.
Secondly, Naboth’s vineyard was not acquired by money. It was received simply on account of the mercy of God to his forefathers. It fell to him by inheritance. To try to quantify it in monetary terms and sell it would be a misnomer. Our salvation and our inheritance in heaven can never be quantified in monetary terms. Hence Jesus asked “What can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Just like Ahab, the Prince of this world is daily making “wonderful” proposals to God’s children to exchange their inheritance for “better” things or for financial stability or comfort. He encourages us to lower our standard or commitment to God a little to earn a ‘better living’ and so on. We must never be deceived, we must remain firm and resolute like Naboth unto the end.
THE CORRECT RESPONSE
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. (I Kg 21:3-4)
Naboth’s response must have shocked King Ahab as he went home very heavy and would not even eat. The offer must have been too good to refuse. Moreover, how many men in Israel would have the guts to refuse such a terrible king who had a wicked wife? Yet Naboth refused. He did not even ask for time to consider the matter or seek counsel from his family or kinsmen. There and then he refused. His response and reason was simple “The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.” It was not because of pride or stubbornness. It was not because it would not favour him financially or for any other consideration but that such an action would not please God. God had clearly stated in the law that family and tribal inheritances should not be sold forever or moved from one tribe to another, neither should a prince take another man’s inheritance from him.
The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. (Lev 25:23)
Moreover the prince shall not take of the people’s inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession. (Eze 46:18)
Naboth’s response is the only correct response for any righteous man. Our actions or inactions must not be based on any other consideration but on God’s Word. Child of God, what reasons are you giving for your present actions or inactions? What are your reasons for living the way you do? Is it because everyone is doing it (including your pastor) or is because that is what the Word of God says. If you will be a righteous man your actions must be on account of God’s Word not what you see other men doing, irrespective of who they are.
Furthermore, Naboth did not go to consider the matter deeply nor consult with men before giving the response. The request was clearly ungodly yet spiced with enticing offers. Hence he promptly responded. Had he gone home to consult he might have been advised by fearful men of the consequences of his refusal. He might have even been enticed to see the good aspects of the act such as the financial reward. Moreover, agreeing to this offer could bring him into the good books of Ahab who together with his wife were dreaded for their wickedness. Furthermore, he could have been convinced that the land would come back to his family in the year of release that God ordained for lands in Israel to return to their original owners. Hence he could have considered the act of giving away the land as not being out rightly sinful particularly if he considers that by so doing he could save his life. Naboth’s prompt response like that of Shedrach, Meshach and Abednigo to Nebuchadnezzar saved him from entering into compromise.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
(Dan 3:16-18)
Child of God, are you already in a compromise because men have advised you? Have you excused your actions by saying that you took the action to save lives? Have you justified your lie by aligning yourself with Abraham who told a lie that Sarah was his sister and not his wife to save his life? If the answer is yes, permit me to humbly inform you that you are not being righteous. You have simply played into the enemy’s trap and scheme to rob you of your crown of righteousness. You need to repent now and cry unto God for mercy and grace.
One more lesson that can be learnt from Naboth’s response was that he was not afraid to refuse the king. Naboth is very unlike many of us today who are too scared to say ‘no’ to our superiors in the office when they demand that we do what is contrary to God’s Word. This is either because of the fear of losing our jobs or because of the punishment such action may bring. For others they cannot say no or object because of the favours (posting, overseas course or overseas deployment) they hope to receive from such superiors. My brother if you will be a righteous man you must have the courage to say no to ungodliness even if such acts are suggested or demanded by your superiors. Remember what the Scriptures say
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. (John 3:27)
That superior of yours cannot give you that favour you are looking for. It is only from heaven you can receive it; never let the devil deceive you. However, when dealing with our superiors we ought to be polite and humbly state our response without being rude or insolent. For Naboth, he simply stated that God forbids him from performing such an act.
THE CONSEQUENCE
Righteousness in this present evil generation is not without a price. This was true in Naboth’s days and it is still true today. The bible is very clear on this fact:
Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Tim 3:12)
Brethren, there is a price to pay for righteous living. This price is in various degrees however Naboth paid the ultimate price – his life. Jezebel, Ahab’s wicked wife plotted Naboth’s death as a way of obtaining Naboth’s vineyard for her husband. The plan was simple. She directed the leaders of his community to proclaim a fast and then arrange for some worthless fellows to testify against him falsely. The result was that he was stoned to death.
They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.
And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. (I Kg 21:12-13)
Naboth died for his righteous stand. Some may say that he should have applied a little wisdom but my brother that is a mild way of asking him to compromise. Many in our generation today cannot stand for the truth to the point of death. They cannot pay the ultimate price for the glory of God. If you would be a righteous man you must be willing or ready to die, God helping you, for the sake of righteousness. Be like saints that went before us:
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives to the death. (Rev 12:11)
Except we come to the point where we do not love our lives more that we love doing God’s will, we cannot be righteous to the end like Naboth was. The three Hebrew children had the same mindset. They told Nebuchadnezzar that they would not bow down to his golden image and that God would deliver them from the fiery furnace he threatened to throw them into. They were however quick to add that even if God would not deliver them they still will not bow down. Thus they were willing to die rather than disobey God.
Some may wonder, why would God allow a righteous man be killed just like that. You may even have prayed against such a kind of death but remember that Naboth died a righteous man. And God says that the death of His saints is precious in His sight (Psa 116:15). Hence, God must have been pleased with Naboth’s death. This truth is particularly made unpopular today by the doctrine being preached on our pulpits today that as Christians we ought not to suffer since Christ has suffered for us. However, God clearly states in I Pet 2: 21-23; 4:1 that we should make up our minds or arm ourselves with a willingness to suffer for Christ’s sake or for righteousness sake. Above all, Naboth is today remembered for dying the death of the righteous. He is remembered for standing for righteousness and dying for it. My brother, what will you be remembered for? It is only what we have done on this side of eternity that we will be remembered for in eternity. Consider your life today brother. Were the Saviour to call you home today what will you be remembered for? Will you be remembered for standing for righteousness even at great risk to your life and career or will you be remembered for compromise and mediocrity? Why not make up your mind today to be remembered for righteousness like Naboth was?
GRACE: A VITAL NEED FOR THE RIGHTEOUS
Naboth is remembered today for righteousness because he was willing to suffer for doing right rather than entering into compromise. This mindset is not one we can achieve by human determination. It is only by God’s grace. We must however first agree with God’s standard of righteousness and then ask Him for grace. God’s grace is indispensable if we are to be righteous to the end. Look at what God says about grace:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. (Tit 2:11-12)
It is God’s grace that teaches or enables us to deny or say no to ungodliness and worldly lusts. It is God’s grace that helps us to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. We cannot on our own live righteously in this present world. We need God’s grace. The good news is that this grace has appeared to all men. It is available to every one. All we have to do is to ask. God is gracious, He would answer you.
For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
CONCLUSION/CHALLENGE
We have just gleaned a few things from the life of a humble Jezreelite – Naboth. His name, Naboth, means Prominence. Yet this man could never have gotten any place of prominence in Scriptures had he not stood for righteousness. Hence would not have fulfilled his destiny. In the same vein brethren, we would fall short of God’s ordained will and place for our lives if we do not stand for righteousness. We must throw aside every excuse we have been holding unto for our lives of compromise. We need to arise today and become all that God wants us to be by standing for righteousness and being righteous unto the end. Arise, depart from every act of compromise in every area of your life today and ask God for grace. He is ever willing and ready to meet you at your point of need.