The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-08-01
AHAB AND NABOTH

been ruled by many Prophets, Seers, Judges and
Kings some of which were good and very
wicked but this Ahab, of royal family, set
new record in wickedness. He did evil -
above all that were before him." That him
as a most wicked man. for his country's history
corded plentiful examples of wickedness.
But Ahab exceeded all of them in evil One of
his very first acts was to take as wife Jezebel. the
daughter of king of idolatrous nation. He
erected affairs and idols to her heather gods. He
made beautiful grove in which to set his affairs
and idols-and again told that "Ahab did
more to provoke God - than all - that
were before him."
Now there dwelt hard by the Kings Palace
man named Naboth. In his possession beau
tiful vineyard which had come to him as nheri-
from his fathers-a vineyard that had been the
property of his family through all it's generations.
So fair and attractive this vineyard that Ahab
set his heart upon possessing it. The King ap-
preached Naboth and sought to secure it. He asked
it as gift. He offered "a better vineyard than t
in exchange He willing give Naboth
money to the amount of what Naboth deemed it
worth-which was remarkable consideration from
King Ahab who was in the habit of thinking first of
Ahab and then-of Ahab again.
But this man Naboth saw nothing tempting in
the Kings offers. His vineyard had come to him
sacred inheritance-it was the Old Homestead. so
to speak-and there was no purpose in his faithful
heart but keep strictly the letter of the law and
custom regarding that inheritance. He refused to
bargain.
This must have been terrible disappointment
to His Majesty the King. One might conclude from
the historians account that it the first time his
desire had ever been refused his wish thwarted.
For Ahab the King, went into his palace. sought his
soft carpeted, tapestry hung chamber threw him
self upon the royal bed and turned away his face.
and would eat no bread" All because owly SUBJ
iect had few of earth covered with vines
that Ahab could not call his own!
Now came Queen Jezabel to inquire what was
the matter with her lord and maser-and her slave.
Ahab poured out this grevious trouble to his wife,
He did to good advantage for whatever else Jeze
bel may have been she good wife to Ahab-
that is. from Ahab's ewpoint-because her inter-
ests happened to be the Ahab's. So she
comforted her King and promised him the vineyard
that seemed so needfu in his scheme of happiness.
She was a woman of action-was Queen Jezebe-
and several other things as we'll. She mistress
of the art of reading and understanding human
nature for how simply and directly she went
about securing Naboths vineyard.
She did not, offer to give him better one in
exchange for his vineyard; to pay good coin of
the realm for it; she did not go near Naboth-not
Jezebe. She set out to obtain the vineyard without
trouble to the royal family She caused letters
to be written in Ahabs name and sealed with the
Kings seal. These were sent to the elders and no.
blemen of Naboth's city and commanded them to
proclaim fast and at the attending celebration to
set the humble Naboth in the seat of highest honor
among the people.
The commands of Jezabel were carried out.
Naboth. in a moment found himself the of all
attention. But while enjoying this unaccustomed
honor which we KIN ow was but idle play. two
men of Belial came, by Jezabeps arrangement. and
told the people that this Naboth that they were
honoring had blasphemed God and the King. Then
they carried him out of the city, and stoned him
with stones that he died." In this manner did Jez-
ebePs cunning the coveted vineyard for
Ahab and he went down to take possession of it,
| He did not enjoy his wckedly gained prize
| but that is another story
Here is double lesson in consciousness In the
case of Ahab we see what desperate and evil means
will be resorted when inordinate covetousness
rules u.s. In the of Naboth we see the fate that
overtakes who lets unearned position posses
sions lure him from the true and things of life.
In like manner are too much given to installing
the tinsel and glitter of passing word for the gold
of an earned and deserved reward. We need to un-
| derstand that Thou shalt not covet" came from
Gods infinite knowledge of the needs and natures of
| and was spoken because of His words to Adam
| In the sweet of thy face shalt thou eat bread"
| There is the secret of success whether it be IN
| the material world, in our mental pursuits
| spiritual living Only what we earn by direct labor