What does 1 Kings 21:10 mean?
"And 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." - 1 Kings 21:10

In the King James Version of the Bible, 1 Kings 21:10 states, “And 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.”
This verse comes from the story of Naboth’s vineyard, which is found in 1 Kings 21. The story begins with King Ahab desiring to acquire Naboth’s vineyard, which was located near the king's palace in Jezreel. Naboth, however, refused to sell his vineyard to Ahab, stating that it was an inheritance from his ancestors and it was against the law to give it up. This refusal made Ahab miserable, and he complained to his wife, Jezebel, who was fiercely determined to help her husband obtain Naboth’s vineyard.
In verse 10, we see Jezebel’s wicked plan to have Naboth executed so that Ahab could take possession of the vineyard. Jezebel falsely accused Naboth of blaspheming God and the king, and she arranged for two men, referred to as sons of Belial (representing wicked and ungodly individuals), to bear false witness against Naboth.
This verse reflects a number of important themes and concepts found throughout the Bible. One of the central themes is the abuse of power and the consequences of greed and covetousness. Ahab’s desire for Naboth’s vineyard led to the abuse of his authority and the exploitation of an innocent man. This highlights the dangers of pursuing material possessions at the expense of others, and serves as a cautionary tale of the corruption that can result from unchecked ambition and a lack of regard for God's law.
Another important theme in this passage is the concept of justice and righteousness. Jezebel’s deceitful actions and manipulation to secure the vineyard for her husband stand in stark contrast to the biblical principles of truth and justice. The false accusations against Naboth and the subsequent unjust execution demonstrate the perversion of justice and the wickedness of those who would pervert the legal system for their own gain.
The biblical concept of false witness, or lying in court, is also addressed in this verse. The ninth commandment in Exodus 20:16 specifically forbids bearing false witness, and the consequences of violating this principle are clearly illustrated in the story of Naboth's vineyard. This passage serves as a reminder of the importance of truthfulness and honesty in the eyes of God, and the severe consequences of bearing false witness against others.
The symbolism in 1 Kings 21:10 is significant as well. The vineyard itself can be seen as a symbol of God's provision and inheritance for His people, as it was often used as a metaphor for Israel throughout the Bible. The vineyard also represents Naboth's family legacy and the importance of honoring and preserving ancestral inheritance, which ties into the theme of justice and righteous stewardship of the land.
In conclusion, 1 Kings 21:10 is a powerful and thought-provoking passage that highlights essential biblical themes of justice, righteousness, the abuse of power, and the consequences of greed and deceit. It also serves as a profound reminder of the timeless truths and principles found within the Bible, and the enduring relevance of these concepts for both ancient and modern societies. The story of Naboth's vineyard ultimately serves as a cautionary tale of the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition and the importance of upholding God's principles of justice and righteousness.
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1 Kings 21:10 - "And 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."
"And 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." - 1 Kings 21:10
2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"
1 Kings 10:21 - "¶ And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon."
"¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying," - 2 Kings 21:10
1 Kings 8:21
1 Kings 8:21
1 Kings 8:21
1 Kings 8:21
1 Kings 10:1
1 Kings 10:1
1 kings 10:1
1 Kings 10:23 - "So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom."
1 Kings 21:14 - "Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead."
1 Kings 8:10
1 Kings 12:10
1 Kings 12:10
1 Kings 8:10
1 Kings 8:10
1 Kings 8:10
1 Kings 8:10
1 Kings 12:10
1 Kings 12:10
1 Kings 8:10
1 Kings 8:10
1 Kings 21:28 - "And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,"
1 Kings 21:17 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,"
1 Samuel 21:10-15
1 Kings 21:12 - "They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people."
1 Kings 10:15 - "Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country."