3.3a. Elijah and Naboth's Vineyard

This is a good lesson to teach that pouting and hurting someone isn't the right thing to do to get what you want.

There was a man named Naboth and he had a vineyard. Ahab the king of Samaria wanted Naboth’s land. The vineyard was close to King Ahab's palace, and he wanted to grow a vegetable garden. King Ahab told Naboth that he would either give him more, better land to replace it or pay him money for it. Naboth told King Ahab "No, because it was his family’s land."

King Ahab went back to his house pouting. He was so angry that Naboth said no! King Ahab was laying in his bed upset and pouting. He turned his face away and would not eat. His wife, Jezebel, asked him what was so wrong that he wouldn't even eat. King Ahab told her that he wanted Naboth's vineyard, and he even offered money or a different vineyard for it. But Naboth told him no!

Jezebel told King Ahab, “You are the king! Get up, be happy and eat, because I will get Naboth's vineyard for you."

Jezebel wrote letters to the city officials using King Ahab's name and used his seal. The letters told them to "Announce a feast. Seat Naboth with the people that are important! Also, have two bad men that will tell this lie against Naboth 'This man has blasphemed against God and King Ahab!' After these men lie, take Naboth out and put him to death!"

https://www.biblefunforkids.com/2017/09/33a-elijah-and-naboths-vineyard.html

So, the men did as Jezebel said and gathered together for a fast and put Naboth in a place of honor. While they were there, the two men came and lied and said that Naboth “blasphemed God and the king”!

God was not happy that King Ahab and his wife Jezebel wanted the land so much that they lied and had Naboth killed to get it.

God sent Elijah to talk to King Ahab. Elijah told King Ahab how unhappy God was with the things he was doing. King Ahab had Naboth killed just so he could have the vineyard.

Elijah told King Ahab that there wasn't any other king like him, because he was so wicked in God's sight. And it was because his wife Jezebel encouraged him to do these things. King Ahab followed idols, which God doesn't approve of.

When King Ahab heard the words from Elijah, he humbled himself before God. God forgave King Ahab.

The lesson is found in 1 Kings 21

http://www.biblefunforkids.com/2016/01/jesus-baptism-temptation-preschool.html

This Mini Book was created for Jesus is Tempted but is basically what I wanted for this lesson! So, instead of spending time re-creating, I decided to use it here also. The Yes/No sticks below work with this for the application. There are more ideas to use this, and the download is here.

These happy or sad smiley sticks were used for Jesus is Tempted. They can be used for several lessons and in several different ways. They would be great for an application for this lesson. Just ask different questions and let the students hold up the correct answer for how God feels about it. God didn't like King Ahab pouting. He really didn't like King Ahab letting Naboth be killed. For instance, does God like you to lie? Does God like you to obey your parents? Does God like you to be nice to your pet? Does God like you to pray to Him? Does God like to hit people? Does God like you to...? This was created to be used with the printable above and you can see more about these here.