1 Kings 21:28
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying:
Then the word of the LORD

God responded to Ahab’s repentance after Elijah announced judgment over Naboth’s murder and the king’s seizure of his vineyard. The Lord remained fully aware of Ahab’s actions and determined the outcome of his house.

1Ki 17:2 Then a revelation from the LORD came to Elijah:
1Ki 18:1 After a long time, in the third year of the drought…

came to Elijah the Tishbite,

Elijah again served as God’s messenger to Ahab. Though the king had humbled himself outwardly, Elijah’s earlier judgment was not withdrawn; its timing was altered.

1Ki 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers…
2Ki 1:3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go up to meet…

saying:

The message that follows explains that disaster would not fall on Ahab’s household during his own lifetime, but in the days of his son.

1Ki 19:9 There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night.…
2Ki 1:15 Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elijah the Tishbite
A prophet of God known for his boldness and faithfulness in delivering God's messages, often confronting kings and false prophets.

2. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who communicates His will and judgment through His prophets.

3. Ahab
Although not mentioned in this specific verse, King Ahab is a central figure in the surrounding account. He is the king of Israel, known for his wickedness and idolatry, influenced by his wife Jezebel.

4. Naboth's Vineyard
The preceding events involve King Ahab coveting Naboth's vineyard, leading to Naboth's unjust death orchestrated by Jezebel, Ahab's wife.

5. Jezebel
Ahab's wife, notorious for her idolatry and manipulation, playing a significant role in the events leading up to this verse.
Teaching Points
The Role of a Prophet
Prophets are chosen by God to deliver His messages, often calling people to repentance and warning of judgment. Elijah's role exemplifies the courage and obedience required to speak God's truth.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
God's intervention through Elijah demonstrates His sovereignty and commitment to justice, even when human authorities act unjustly.

The Power of God's Word
The phrase "the word of the LORD came" underscores the authority and power of God's word, which never returns void but accomplishes His purposes.

Repentance and Consequences
The broader account shows that while God offers opportunities for repentance, there are still consequences for sin, as seen in Ahab's eventual downfall.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Elijah's ministry teaches us the importance of remaining faithful to God, even when facing opposition or danger.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Elijah's role as a prophet challenge us to speak truth in our own lives, even when it is difficult?

2. In what ways does the account of Naboth's vineyard and Ahab's actions illustrate the consequences of coveting and injustice?

3. How can we apply the principle of God's sovereignty and justice in our understanding of current events and personal challenges?

4. What can we learn from Elijah's example about the importance of prayer and reliance on God's word?

5. How does the fulfillment of prophecy in the Bible strengthen our faith in God's promises and His ultimate plan for justice?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 17:1
Introduces Elijah and his prophetic ministry, establishing his role as God's messenger.

2 Kings 9:7-10
Fulfillment of the prophecy against Ahab's house, showing the long-term impact of Elijah's words.

James 5:17-18
Highlights Elijah's fervent prayer life and his role as a righteous man whose prayers were powerful and effective.

Deuteronomy 18:18-22
Discusses the role of a prophet, which is relevant to understanding Elijah's authority and responsibility.
Guilt and MercyJ. Urquhart 1 Kings 21:15-29
Ahab's RepentanceJ.A. Macdonald 1 Kings 21:25-29
Partial PenitenceA. Rowland 1 Kings 21:27-29
People
Ahab, Ahijah, Amorites, Baasha, Elijah, Jeroboam, Jezebel, Jezreel, Melech, Naboth, Nebat
Places
Jezreel, Samaria
Topics
Elijah, Eli'jah, Saying, Tishbite
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 21:28

     5092   Elijah

1 Kings 21:20-29

     1429   prophecy, OT fulfilment

1 Kings 21:21-29

     4925   delay, divine

1 Kings 21:27-29

     6735   repentance, examples
     8432   fasting, practice

1 Kings 21:28-29

     5340   house

Library
Ahab and Elijah
'And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy!'--1 KINGS xxi. 20. The keynote of Elijah's character is force-the force of righteousness. The New Testament, you remember, speaks of the 'power of Elias.' The outward appearance of the man corresponds to his function and his character. Gaunt and sinewy, dwelling in the desert, feeding on locusts and wild honey, with a girdle of camel's skin about his loins, he bursts into the history, amongst all that corrupt state of society, with the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Elijah
(Tenth Sunday after Trinity.) 1 Kings xxi. 19, 20. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? and thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Of all the grand personages
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons

Whether all Dissimulation is a Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that not all dissimulation is a sin. For it is written (Lk. 24:28) that our Lord "pretended [Douay: 'made as though'] he would go farther"; and Ambrose in his book on the Patriarchs (De Abraham i) says of Abraham that he "spoke craftily to his servants, when he said" (Gn. 22:5): "I and the boy will go with speed as far as yonder, and after we have worshipped, will return to you." Now to pretend and to speak craftily savor of dissimulation: and yet it is not to be said that there
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Touching Jacob, However, that which He did at his Mother's Bidding...
24. Touching Jacob, however, that which he did at his mother's bidding, so as to seem to deceive his father, if with diligence and in faith it be attended to, is no lie, but a mystery. The which if we shall call lies, all parables also, and figures designed for the signifying of any things soever, which are not to be taken according to their proper meaning, but in them is one thing to be understood from another, shall be said to be lies: which be far from us altogether. For he who thinks this, may
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace.
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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