1 kings 21:17 29 commentary 1 kings 21:17 29 commentary

II. So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it. Punishments after death are here most insisted on, which, though such as affected the body only, were perhaps designed as figures of the soul's misery after death. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. A kings legacy was in his posterity succeeding him on the throne, and here God announced an end to the dynasty of Omri (Ahabs father). (for Isa. 7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? 19 Say to him, 'This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' You can also change some of your preferences. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Ahab vented his wrath against Elijah, fell into a passion at the sight of him, and, instead of humbling himself before the prophet, as he ought to have done (2 Chron 36 12), was ready to fly in his face. Although Jezebel stirred him up, Ahab was responsible for his own sins. And it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. God is the final King over this earth, and he holds all of us accountable for our actions. of The proceedings of Ahab against Naboth. It is a sin that is its own parent; it arises not from the condition, but from the mind: as we find Paul contented in a prison, so Ahab was discontented in a palace. b. This book is important because it tells a story of sharp contrast: first, Israel's greatest splendor; second, Israel's tragic downfall. Naboth's vineyard (21:1-29) The events so far recorded of Ahab show that his religious, military and trade policies were all contrary to God's will. Ahab never possessed the vineyard of Naboth. Even so, God honored it by delaying this judgment by about twelve years. ii. 0.1. 16 And 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. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. This teaches us to take notice of that which is good even in those who are not so good as they should be: let it be commended as far as it goes. If he takes the garden, he takes the guilt with it. GCM is a faith ministry supported entirely by the gifts of Christians. 4 And 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. God sent Elijah to find and confront Ahab about Naboth's death. 29. 1 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. Those tyrants that by their wicked orders debauch the consciences of their inferior magistrates may perhaps find at last the wheel return upon them, and that those who will not stick to do one cruel thing for them will be as ready to do another cruel thing against them. Naboth must die, and die as a malefactor, to gratify it. Have you ever been blamed and hated because you told someone the truth by preaching the gospel? Favour was shown to this wicked man that God might magnify his goodness (says bishop Sanderson) even to the hazard of his other divine perfections; as if (says he) God would be thought unholy, or untrue, or unjust (though he be none of these), or any thing, rather than unmerciful. Ottawa Senators (Last Ranking: 23) 22: Washington Capitals (Last Ranking: 20) 21. Ver. He had tamely quitted the great advantages God had given him of enlarging his dominion for the honour of his kingdom, by his victory over the Syrians, and now is eager to enlarge his garden, only for the convenience of his house, as if to be penny wise would atone for being pound foolish. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Note, That man's condition is very miserable that has made the word of God his enemy, and his condition is very desperate that reckons the ministers of that word his enemies because they tell him the truth, Gal 4 16. This may mean he went barefoot or that he guarded his words, actions and attitudes in attempt to calm the anger of God. After Elijah pronounced judgment on Ahab, we read that Ahab tore his clothes, fasted and mourned (1 Kings 21:27). Because of Ahab's great sin the Lord tells him, "I will bring disaster on you; I will consume you" (vs. 21). What good canst thou expect from it when it is purchased with blood (Hab 2 12) and thou hast caused the owner thereof to lose his life?" The way up in Gods sight is bow down and give Him the glory for every ability He gives us. When 1Kings opens, Samuel is dead and David is dying. The elders of Jezreel sent notice to Jezebel very unconcernedly, sent it to her as a piece of agreeable news, Naboth is stoned and is dead, v. 14. Might often prevails against right, and wonderful is the divine patience that suffers it to do so. He was willing to trade for the land or to pay for it. d) He lay in sackcloth to set aside the comforts of soft bedding. But sometimes rulers expect citizens to do what would displease God. In consideration of this the threatened ruin of his house, which had not been fixed to any time, should be adjourned to his son's days. The message Elijah delivered to him in God's name put him into a fright for the present, so that he rent his clothes and put on sackcloth, v. 27. (17-29). 1 Kings 21:17-29. Pride manifests itself by praising ourselves, adorning our persons, and attempting to appear before others in a superior light. Inordinate desires expose men to continual vexations, and those that are disposed to fret, be they ever so happy, will always find something or other to fret at. He was as before (ch. (3.) 1And it came to pass after these things, 1 that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. It is giving God all the glory and praise for every ability that He has allowed us to have. God is certainly of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and yet for a time keeps silence when the wicked devours the man that is more righteous than he, Hab 1 13. Or, if neither would make him a good title, the absolute power of Jezebel would give it to him, and who would dare to oppose her will? The story of his seizure of Naboth's vineyard shows that he was equally ungodly in the matter of common justice. Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings Pakistan Super League 2023 Live Score . v. 29. Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die. So the men of his city, the elders and nobles who were inhabitants of his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them. d. Naboth has blasphemed God and the king: Jesus was charged with similar crimes, accused of offending both God and Caesar. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. God told Elijah ( 1 Kings 17:9) that He commanded a widow to feed the prophet. While pride robs God of His rightful glory, humility gives God the glory He deserves as our Creator, Sustainer and Sovereign. Then Ahab had countenanced the reformation, and therefore then all was well between him and the prophet; but now he had relapsed, and was worse than ever. 1) Ahab was a wicked king who was reared by a wicked father, King Omri. This gives a reason why wicked people sometimes prosper long; God is rewarding their external services with external mercies. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Nothing but mischief is to be expected when Jezebel enters into the storythat cursed woman, 2 Kings 9 34. (5-16) Elijah denounces judgments against Ahab. 2. his descendants, and Jezebel. 1 Kings 21:17-29 WHEN GOD SAYS "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Intro: The events of which we have just read take place some 5 to 6 years after the events on Mount Horeb. [29:1] "In America, along with the bones of the Mastodon imbedded in the alluvium of the Bourbense, were found arrow heads and other traces of the savages who had killed this member of an order no longer represented in that part of the world." (Herbert Spencer: Principles of Sociology, vol. 21:20) Jerusalem was a quiet habitation because a city . Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29. You shall speak to him, saying, Thus says the LORD: Have you murdered and also taken possession? And you shall speak to him, saying, Thus says the LORD: In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours. So Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he answered, I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD: Behold, I will bring calamity on you. Nashville Predators (Last Ranking: 22) Well, the Washington Capitals . Copyright 2023 Northside Baptist Church. He killed, for he took possession. He told him from God that his family should be ruined and rooted out (v. 21) and all his posterity cut off,that his house should be made like the houses of his wicked predecessors, Jeroboam and Baasha (v. 22), particularly that those who died in the city should be meat for dogs and those who died in the field meat for birds (v. 24), which had been foretold of Jeroboam's house (ch. By taking possession, he avowed all that was done, and made himself guilty ex post factoas an accessary after the fact. And two men, scoundrels, came in and sat before him; and the scoundrels witnessed against him, against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth has blasphemed God and the king! Then they took him outside the city and stoned him with stones, so that he died. 3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. Then God tells Elijah to leave the town and hide in a ravine that lies east of Jordan. 3) When humility exists, it always replaces pride. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. Ahab repents and the Lord responds by telling his messenger prophet, "Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Cricket Match only on ESPNcricinfo.com. 3) (Proverbs 29:23) A mans pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Ahab is reproved, and his sin set before his eyes, by Elijah. [12] "Asherah poles": Hebrew: asherim. i. Ahab's repentance was only what might be seen of men; it was outward only. March 1, 2023 at 09:52 Raphael Lemkin defined genocide as follows: "Generally speaking, genocide does not necessarily mean the immediate destruction of a nation, except when accomplished by mass . No less than his blood will serve to atone for the affront he has given to Ahab, which she thirsts after the more greedily because of his adherence to the law of the God of Israel. 3) Charles Buck in his Theological Dictionary said, Pride is unreasonable self-esteem, attended with disrespect and rude treatment of others. (3) The Elders of Jezreel, who were wicked and subservient. b. Humility produces a change in ones actions Login. The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you: Naboths response was an emphatic No. His rejection of the otherwise reasonable offer was rooted in the ancient Israelite idea of the land. a. Arise, go down to meet Ahab: Ahab ran out to get his new toy (the land gained by betrayal, lies, and murder), and instead he ran into the prophet of God. Other Commentaries. (2.) The second benefit of humility we note is that , 2. During his time at Chelsea, then-manager Jose Mourinho came under some undue criticism for playing with only one striker, where most clubs adopted the traditional 4-4-2.. 69 goals throughout his duplicitous tenure at Stamford Bridge alone proves that . (2.) AboutPressCopyrightContact. Humility Always Changes Conduct He understood that the prophecy of judgment was in fact an invitation to repent, humble ones self, and to seek God for mercy. Naboth being taken off, Ahab takes possession of his vineyard. 2. Israel's case was sad when a prince of such a character as this reigned over them. This unfulfilled prophecy has needlessly troubled some. 2. Read Matthew 12:36. 2) Ahab thought only of himself. Yet he is not such a tyrant as to take it by force, but fairly proposes either to give Naboth the full value of it in money or a better vineyard in exchange. Proud member He told her what troubled him (v. 6), yet invidiously concealed Naboth's reason for his refusal, representing it as peevish, when it was conscientiousI will not give it thee, whereas he said, I may not. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Perhaps they were secretly murdered, that they might not claim their father's estate nor complain of the wrong done him. ii. In many things he did ill, but he did most abominably in following idols, like the Canaanites; his immoralities were very provoking to God, but his idolatries were especially so. Lake Highlands celebrate a 81-43 win over Arlington Bowie in a Class 6A bi-district playoff game . When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, Why is your spirit so sullen that you eat no food? He said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it. And he answered, I will not give you my vineyard. Then Jezebel his wife said to him, You now exercise authority over Israel! Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. 7, a 4A Region II rematch and more. ii. 1Ki 8:29 That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, [even] toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. For God hath expressly, and for divers weighty reasons, forbidden the alienation of lands from the tribes and families to which they were allotted, Leviticus 25:15, 25:23, 25:25; Numbers 36:7; Ezekiel 46:18. (Poole), So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers. And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food. 1. (1-4) Naboth murdered by Jezebel. What does 1 Kings 21:17-29 mean? Humility and pride are opposites and cannot exist together. Ahab knew the law, or should have known it, and therefore did ill to ask that which his subject could not grant without sin. V. Upon his humiliation a reprieve is granted, ver 25-29. 16 4),that Jezebel, particularly, should be devoured by dogs (v. 23), which was fulfilled (2 Kings 9 36),and, as for Ahab himself, that the dogs should lick his blood in the very same place where they licked Naboth's (v. 19 "Thy blood, even thine, though it be royal blood, though it swell thy veins with pride and boil in thy heart with anger, shall ere long be an entertainment for the dogs"), which was fulfilled, ch. 4) We display pride when we draw attention to ourselves after scoring a goal or do something notable. 172.41 c Ben Cutting b Tabraiz Shamsi. Perhaps Naboth had been pleased that he had a vineyard which lay so advantageously for a prospect of the royal gardens, or the vending of its productions to the royal family; but the situation of it proved fatal to him. In this chapter we have an account of Ahab's design to have Naboth's vineyard, for which he offered him another, or the value of that, but Naboth refusing to part with it, Ahab fell sick, 1Ki 21:1-4, the reason of which being found out by Jezebel, she devised means to get Naboth put to death under the colour of justice for blasphemy, 1Ki 21:5-14, and then bid Ahab go and take possession of the vineyard, where he was met by Elijah, who denounced the judgments of God upon him, and Jezebel, and all his family, for his injustice, 1Ki 21:15-26, but he humbling himself, the evil threatened was deferred to the days of his son, 1Ki 21:27-29. b. A far better explanation is found in the fact that because of Ahabs sorrow and repentance at the end of the chapter, God relented from this judgment and instead brought it upon Ahabs son (in 2 Kings 9:24-26) as the LORD said He would in 1 Kings 21:29. ii. a. Humility is a change in the heart He sold himself to work wickedness, that is, he made himself a perfect slave to his lusts, and was as much at their beck and command as ever any servant was at his master's. The word of the Lord to Ahab (1 Kings 21:19) was pointed at Ahab, and He did not let him put the blame on Jezebel. views had we of Sion in its glory (that is, in its purity and in its triumphs), of the king in his beauty! God gently prodded Elijah to see that fearing the evil Jezebel and running away was sin. He shall not feel quietness. 33:17 refers to Hezekiah), and (as it follows there, 2 Kgs. Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. There was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up: Ahabs sin was multiplied not only because of the sin itself, but because by his permission, his wife stirred him up to do it. Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans . It arises not from the condition, but from the mind. Or hast thou so rich a kingdom at command and canst not thou be without this one vineyard?" The worst sinner should not disqualify himself from receiving Gods mercy, if that sinner should only approach God in humble repentance. But Elijah did not repent. India vs Australia 2023 3rd Test live commentary updated real-time along with ball by ball commentary on myKhel. He will reveal himself to the meek but confront the arrogant and self-reliant. What is the significance of 1 Kings 21:27-29? 1. A hypocrite may go very far in the outward performance of holy duties and yet come short. Eccl 3 16. He was like a sulking child who could not get his own way. (Dilday), ii. g) A humble person will have a modest appearance, modest pursuits, a modest way of life and a modest behaviour. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. A humble person gets off the throne of his heart and lets God sit on it. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. After this, we find, he hated a faithful prophet, ch. 2) God hates pride and the consequence of pride is Gods resistance. [1.] intimating that he shunned him all he could, and it was now a terror to him to see him. Naboth, perhaps, had been pleased that he had a vineyard situated so near the palace, but the situation proved fatal to him; many a man's possessions have been his snare, and his neighbourhood to greatness, of bad consequence. His word is quick and powerful, and is, when the pleases to make it so, like a fire and a hammer, Jer 23 29. Matthew Henrys Bible Commentary (concise), Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. . Shubman Gill c Steven Smith b Matthew Kuhnemann 21 (18) They proclaimed a fast, and seated Naboth with high honor among the people. 2. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Never was poor debtor or criminal so confounded at the sight of the officer that came to arrest him. Ahab showed remorse, and the Lord showed him some mercy (1 Kings 21:29). If thou knowest not how to support the dignity of a king, let me alone to do it; give me but leave to make use of thy name, and I will soon give thee the vineyard of Naboth; right or wrong, it shall be thy own shortly, and cost thee nothing." He was still a proud hardened sinner, and yet thus reduced. Ahab's repentance was only what might be seen of men: Seest thou (says God to Elijah) how Ahab humbles himself; it was external only, the garments rent, but not the heart. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. Elijah obeys and goes to hide in the Kerith Ravine and is fed by ravens and drinks water from the brook there. 10/28 - 11/04 (1) 10/21 - 10/28 (3) 10/07 - 10/14 (2) 09/30 - 10/07 (7 ) 09/ . Say: Last week we learned that God is a God of new beginnings. I. 22 38. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Although, Some say that Ahab was his next kinsman, his sons being dead; which they judge more likely, because his land was next to the kings (Poole). b. God may withhold judgment And see how literally the prediction concerning his son was fulfilled, see 2 Kings 9:25, where we find that the body of Jehoram his son, just then slain by an arrow that had passed through his heart, was thrown into the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; and there, doubtless, the dogs licked his blood, if they did not even devour his body. (Clarke), d. Have you found me, O my enemy: Though the king knew it not, Elijah was his best friend; Jezebel his direst foe. (Meyer), i. c. Seat Naboth with high honor among the people: This was a treacherous plan; first, to set Naboth in a high place of honor, and then to destroy him with lies from the mouths of scoundrels. Hence some make Naboth to have been Ahabs uncle; but that is uncertain (Trapp). To stand amazed at the wickedness of the wicked, and the power of Satan in the children of disobedience. To rejoice in the belief of a judgment to come, in which such wrong judgments as these will be called over. The crime they must lay to his charge was blaspheming God and the king a complicated blasphemy. Some conceive that Naboth looked upon his earthly inheritance as an earnest of his lot in the heavenly Canaan, and therefore would not part with the former, lest it should amount to a forfeiture of the latter. Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, "Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. 1) Ahab was self-centred not God-centred. 1) Humility always begins in the heart. 1. e) It consists in an inward sense of our many imperfections and sins. This is added to show that temptations to sin are no excuse to the sinner. (Poole). A prophet of lower rank was sent with messages of kindness to him, ch. Jezebel his wife stirred him up to do wickedly. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Note some of the results of God resisting or working against the proud. d) (Daniel 4:37) Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. g. The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel: Though the prophecy of judgment was focused against Ahab, it did not forget Jezebel. (15-16) Ahab takes possession of Naboths land. 11 And 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. 1 Kings 21:17 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 1 Kings 21:18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. Ahab is reproved, and his sin set before his eyes, by Elijah. The last time we found them together they parted very good friends, ch. Here let us observe that, as obsequious as the elders of Jezreel were to Jezebel's orders which she sent from Samaria for the murder of Naboth, so obsequious were the elders of Samaria afterwards to Jehu's orders which he sent from Jezreel for the murder of Ahab's seventy sons, only that was not done by course of law, 2 Kings 10 6, 7. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. a. Ahab got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth: This added evil to evil. a) He wanted Naboths vineyard even though God said Naboth should never sell his inheritance, v.3. Naboth would by no means part with it (v. 3): The Lord forbid it me; and the Lord did forbid it, else he would not have been so rude and uncivil to his prince as not to gratify him in so small a matter. See Psalms 34:15 . i. The Kings had two sterling. If Ahab did not humble himself in this way, then the judgment would have come in his own day. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. It also explained that just as God had shown mercy to Ahab ( 1 Kin. , 04, 2023 Switch to ENGLISH. 2) Though we have no record of Ahabs verbal confession, his actions revealed a change of heart. v. 20. Introduction: No one is born humble. Humility does not just happen, yet it is very beneficial. (4.) We notice that Elijah confronted Ahab ( you murdered) over the sin of Jezebel and her wicked associates. 1 Kings 21:17-29 New International Version 17 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 "Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. No, she pretends not any ground at all for the charge: though there was no colour of truth in it, the witnesses must swear it, and Naboth must not be permitted to speak for himself, or cross-examine the witnesses, but immediately, under pretence of a universal detestation of the crime, they must carry him out and stone him. His conscience told him he had made God his enemy, and therefore he could not expect Elijah should be his friend. Windows 11 Pro Retail Keys at $4.99 USD Only Torrent: Exodus - Gods and Kings (2014) (2160p BluRay x265 HEVC 10bit HDR AAC 7.1 Tigole) (13.9 GB) Has total of 1 files and has 6 Seeders and 1 Peers. Hitherto God kept silence, did not intercept Jezebel's letters, nor stay the process of the elders of Jezreel; but now Ahab is reproved and his sin set in order before his eyes. Under pretence of comforting her afflicted husband, she feeds his pride and passion, and blows the coals of his corruptions. When Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body: For all his wickedness, Ahab received this prophecy of judgment exactly as he should have. IV. b) He put sackcloth upon his flesh a sign of mourning. This discovers the great goodness of God, and his readiness to show mercy, which here rejoices against judgment. Arise, and eat bread. She wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth with high honor among the people; and seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness against him, saying, You have blasphemed God and the king. Conclusion: Ahab did not humble himself until threatened by God. [29:2] Darwin II. In this passage, where did the confrontation between Elijah and Ahab take place? 21 Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, 22 And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin. So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning. Perhaps his time was spent training the prophet Elisha to take his place. Thou shamest thyself, and profanest thy crown; it is below thee to take notice of so inconsiderable a thing. This reminds us of what God said to Adam in pronouncing the curse after the sin in the Garden of Eden: Because you have heeded the voice of your wife (Genesis 3:17). d) Ahab went to take possession of the vineyard he wanted, v.16. However fine the vintage, for him the grapes were acrid, poisonous That which is gained by fraud is never possessed. (Morgan). c) Jezebel would die and the dogs would eat her. i. A battle-tested 6A Region I, Kimball's chance at title No. The Psalmist wrote, (Psalms 10:4) The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. a. He pointedly charged them with the two crimes of both murder and theft of Naboth's land. a) It consists in not attributing to ourselves any excellence or good which we have not. Proclaim a fast: The idea was that some evil or calamity came upon Israel, and a scapegoat had to be found for the evil. She went out that morning to gather sticks, not to meet a guest. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. 27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.