Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.

1 KINGS 21:18KJV
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1 Kings 21:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 21:18 mean?

1 Kings 21:18 records God’s instruction to the prophet Elijah, telling him to get up and go meet King Ahab of Israel in Samaria, specifically in the vineyard of Naboth, because Ahab has gone there to take possession of it. The verse sets the stage for Elijah to confront Ahab about his actions regarding Naboth’s vineyard.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Elijah, sending him on a mission to deliver a message to King Ahab. The situation is tense: Ahab has just arranged for Naboth’s death so he could seize Naboth’s vineyard, and now Elijah is sent to meet Ahab at the scene of this wrongdoing. The verse is a turning point, signaling that God is about to address Ahab’s injustice through Elijah.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 21:18

  • "Arise" (קוּם, qum): This word means to get up or take action. God is calling Elijah to move immediately, showing the urgency and seriousness of the task.
  • "Possess" (יָרַשׁ, yarash): This word often means to take ownership or inherit, but here it highlights that Ahab is taking over something that is not rightfully his, emphasizing the injustice of the situation.
  • "Vineyard" (כֶּרֶם, kerem): The mention of the vineyard is crucial, as it ties directly to the story’s conflict—Ahab’s desire for Naboth’s land, which he acquires through wrongful means.

Why 1 Kings 21:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God is fully aware of Ahab’s actions and is not ignoring the injustice done to Naboth, setting up the confrontation that follows.
  • The command for Elijah to meet Ahab at the vineyard underlines the directness of God’s response—Elijah is to face Ahab right where the wrongdoing took place.
  • The verse connects to the larger narrative about justice, accountability, and the consequences of abusing power, which are central themes in the story of Ahab and Naboth.

Where else these words appear

“Naboth” Hebrew H5022 · used in 18 verses

  • 1 Kings 21:1 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.
  • 1 Kings 21:7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, 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 the Jezreelite.
  • 1 Kings 21:15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel 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.

“Ahab” Hebrew H256 · used in 81 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 21:3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
  • 2 Kings 9:8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:

“vineyard” Hebrew H3754 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 9:20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
  • 1 Kings 21:1 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.
  • Isaiah 1:8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 13:1 In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.