Saving Naboth

Naboth refused to sell his vineyard to Ahab the king because it was the inheritance of his fathers (1 Kings 21:3b). It was not just a piece of land but also his roots. The vineyard embodied the tradition handed down from his ancestors. It was also the linkage to his God because the piece of land was allotted by God. Selling the vineyard would uproot him. Many native Indians who were resettled by the US government, suffered depression and committed suicide though they had been adequately compensated in materials. Had Naboth sold his vineyard, he would have suffered similar psychological ailments and might commit suicide in the end. Naboth stood firm to guard his sanity, yet he paid his life for this sanity.
Yesterday, I said that the elders and nobles of Jezreel were also responsible for the shedding of the innocent blood of Naboth. Jezebel informed them of her plan (1 Kings 21:8). She was an evil woman indeed. She made the hands of all these people dirty. They were forced into becoming conspirators. But did they have any choice? Could they say no, individually or as a group? Was there any way to save Naboth? Failing that, could they stay away from this murderous plot? If they had succeeded in persuading Naboth to leave, they would have saved his life for the moment. In the end, Naboth would still be uprooted and would commit suicide. If they stayed away from this plot, Jezebel would surely make them her next target for elimination. On the other side of the situation, would they persuade Ahab to give up his desire to expand his 'vegetable garden'? It seemed impossible. This murderous plot seemed to be very air-tight. Were Naboth and Ahab destined to die in the hand of Jezebel over this vineyard?
How did the story continue after Naboth's death?
Of course, Yahweh was not amused. He sent Elijah to pronounce His judgment. Ahab had done enough evil to deserve death.
In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood (1 Kings 21:19c).
Why didn't You intervene earlier to prevent this tragedy from happening in the first place?
It is interesting to see that Elijah said many things more severe than this.
Behold, I will bring evil upon you; I will utterly sweep you away, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel;
and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin.
And of Jezebel the LORD also said, `The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the bounds of Jezreel.'
Any one belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat; and any one of his who dies in the open country the birds of the air shall eat." (1 Kings 21:21-24)
Elijah had added a lot more than Yahweh had instructed him to say. Of course, all these came to pass as announced by Elijah.
Ahab showed his regret and repented and God stayed His punishment for a few years before killing him. A strayed arrow wounded him in battle but he had to be propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians for the rest of the day. Poor Ahab was bled to death (1 Kings 22:34-35). When people washed the chariot by a pool in Samaria, dogs came to lick up his blood according to the word of the Lord (1 Kings 22:38). How Naboth and Ahab died!
Now, I have a proposal. It is not perfect but I think the damages may be minimized. Ahab bought Naboth's vineyard and converted it into a vegetable garden as planned. Add a clause. Naboth and his children in the future generations would serve Ahab's house as the tender of this part of the vegetable garden. Naboth gave up the ownership of the land but he still retained his control over the land. Just think about it, when the king set sight on your land, loss was a certainty. By keeping the management part of the land, it is hoped that Naboth could save his life as well as his sanity. If Israel continued to keep the Torah, may be when Jubilee Year arrived, Ahab's house would even return the land to Naboth's house. But as history has it, Jehu killed off Ahab's children and I wonder if he would return the vineyard to Naboth if he were still alive.

My Advocate, keeping Your precepts delights my heart. May I continue to walk Your path and brings Your light to my students. Amen.