1 Kings 21:9-13
21:10 a scoundrels (literally sons of Belial): The Hebrew expression refers to totally evil reprobates (Deut 13:13 b; Judg 19:22 c; 1 Sam 10:27 d; Prov 6:12 e). Later Jewish writings attributed the name Belial to Satan, a use reflected by Paul in the New Testament (2 Cor 6:15 f).• Legally, two witnesses were needed to establish a charge against a person (Deut 19:15 g; Matt 18:16 h). The twofold charge of Naboth’s blasphemy against God and against the king carried a penalty of death by stoning outside the city (Deut 17:5-6 i; 22:24 j). Naboth was apparently put to death on his own land (see 2 Kgs 9:21-26 k).
Summary for 1Kgs 21:13-14: 21:13-14 l As with Achan (Josh 7:24-26 m), Naboth’s sons were killed at the same time (see 2 Kgs 9:26 n), in this case to prevent the property from passing on to them. Because the charge carried the penalty of state execution (Deut 13:10-11 o; 17:5 p) and because Naboth no longer had male heirs, Ahab exercised the royal prerogative of confiscating the property (see 1 Sam 8:14 q).
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