1 Kings 21:1-7

Easy-to-Read Version

Naboth’s Vineyard

21 There was a vineyard near King Ahab’s palace in Samaria. A man from Jezreel named Naboth owned it. ² One day Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard that is near my palace. I want to make it a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard in its place. Or, if you prefer, I will pay you for it.”

³ Naboth answered, “By the Lord, I will never give my land to you. This land belongs to my family.”

⁴ So Ahab went home angry and upset because Naboth told him, “I will not give you my family’s land.” Ahab went to bed, turned away from everyone, and refused to eat.

⁵ His wife Jezebel went to him and asked him, “Why are you upset? Why do you refuse to eat?”

⁶ Ahab answered, “I asked Naboth from Jezreel to give me his vineyard. I told him that I would pay him the full price. Or, if he preferred, I would give him another vineyard. But he refused to give it to me.”

⁷ Jezebel answered, “But you are the king over Israel! Get out of bed and eat something, and you will feel better. I will get Naboth’s vineyard for you.”