Ahab and Naboth

 

Ahab and Naboth

Literal comprehension: This story is taken from the holy Bible, the religious book of Christians.  The Christians believe that there is only one God and Bible is the collection of the words spoken by the God himself.

Naboth the Jez’reelite, a citizen of Jez’reel, had a very beautiful vineyard. The vineyard was located by side of the palace of King Ahab, the king of Samaria. The eyes of King Ahab fell on the vineyard, temptation took his heart in control. So, he went to Naboth and asked him to sell the vineyard. But Naboth denied giving it to the king because it was his ancestral property. The king became serious and stopped eating. Then, Jez’ebel- the queen- calmed him by promising to take the vineyard in possession. Then the queen wrote a letter in the name of Ahab and sent it to the nobles of Jez’reel. In the letter, it was claimed that Naboth had blasphemed God and the king, so he must be stoned to death. All the people of Jezreel gathered in a place, and put Naboth in a high place and stoned him to death.

The death of Naboth was reported to the queen. When Ahab, the king heard the news, he went to take the possession of vineyard. But, the god sent Eli’jah the Tishbite to deliver the message to the king that he has committed the crime and must face the same fate as Naboth.

Interpretation: Religious stories always try to show its followers the right path to truth and morality. This story also teaches its readers a moral lesson that one’s sin is never hidden from the eyes of the god. A powerful person may misuse his authority to conceal his crime. But the truth is never hidden in the eyes of the god.

Critical Thinking: Is the story suitable for modern reader? Are the evil deeds watched by the God? There would be no crime in the world it the God treated the criminals accordingly. Can anyone witness someone stoned to death?

Assimilation:  After reading the story, I realized that the truth can’t be blurred by any power. The power may misuse its authority, but one day, it is destined to its fate. I also believe now that “god sees the truth but waits.”