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Me, Myself and Mine Message 08 of 08
Greed in the Life of Ahab
Pastor Anthony King· May 11, 2025
1 Kings 21:1-16
This sermon from 1 Kings 21:1–16 explores the destructive nature of greed, showing how Ahab’s discontent led to injustice, Jezebel’s abuse of power led to murder, and silent leaders became complicit in wrongdoing. It calls believers to gratitude, integrity, and courage—warning that sin may offer short-term gain, but always brings lasting consequences.
“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 21:1
Ahab’s greed showed he wasn’t satisfied, no matter how much he had.
Ahab was the king, he had land, power, and wealth, but he still wanted a vineyard.
Naboth wasn’t being stubborn; he was obeying God’s Word.
The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.Leviticus 25:23-24
Greed doesn’t start with what you don’t have. It starts with not being grateful for what you already do.
Jezebel’s scheme shows how dangerous it is when power is used for selfish ends.
Jezebel didn’t just give Ahab bad advice, but she took matters into her own hands.
She announced a religious fast to make everything look holy, but behind the scenes, she was setting up a murder.
Just because something looks spiritual doesn’t mean it’s righteous. When pride or selfishness are a part of the plan, it’s not from God.
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:Isaiah 29:13
The city leaders went along with the evil plan instead of standing up for what was right.
The elders and nobles went along with the plot.
Fear and compromise turned leaders into accomplices.
Staying silent when wrong is happening around you makes you part of the problem.
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?Proverbs 24:11-12
Ahab got what he wanted, but it came with a high price.
Getting your way while disobeying God isn’t worth it.
He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.Psalm 106:9-15
When God gives a blessing, there is no downside.
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.Proverbs 10:22
Sin always comes with a bill.
You are free to choose your sin, but you cannot choose your consequences.
Watch your heart. Greed is sneaky.
Do what’s right, even if it costs you.
Don’t go along with wrong just to keep the peace.
Leave justice in God’s hands.
1And 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. 2And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. 3And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. 4And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. 5But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? 6And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. 7And 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. 8So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. 9And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: 10And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. 11And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. 12They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. 13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. 14Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. 15And 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. 16And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. 1 Kings 21:1-16
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