OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Old Testament Bible Study Sample 

Instructions:

For this assignment, you will be studying the Old Testament story of “Naboth’s Vineyard” found in 1 Kings 21. You will use the template below in order to complete a study of this passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and Application that you have learned through your reading in Everyday Bible Study (EBS).

1. Observation

1. I have read 1 Kings 21 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library (EBS ch. 16).

• Yes
• No

1. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying (EBS ch. 15).
2. Main characters: (List them)

Naboth, Ahab, Jezebel, and Elijah

2. Plot: (50–100 words)

Naboth has a vineyard that Ahab, the King of Israel, want to have for his own. He asks about acquiring it but his offer is turned down. Ahab dejectedly returns to the palace. His wife, Queen Jezebel, devises a scheme to have Naboth murdered so that Ahab can claim the vineyard. Elijah the prophet pronounces God’s judgment on both of them for their evil actions.

3. Story structure: (50–100 words)

Introduction: Description of Naboth’s vineyard and its proximity to the place of the king.

Inciting incident: Naboth’s refusal to sell or trade his vineyard to King Ahab because God forbids it.

Rising action: Queen Jezebel devices a plan to kill Naboth and the plan is carried out to

completion.

Climax: The prophet Elijah confronts King Ahab in Naboth’s vineyard

Resolution: God extends mercy to Ahab due to his humble repentance

17. List basic observations about this passage using the Key Questions from EBS ch. 17.

1. Who:

• Naboth
• King Ahab
• Queen Jezebel
• Elijah
• the Lord (speaking to Elijah)
• two worthless men

2. What:

Naboth had a vineyard that Ahab wanted to acquire or himself through either a purchase or trade. Naboth refused to sell or trade his land and told Ahab, “the Lord forbid me…”

Naboth’s vineyard was his inheritance. The inheritance Naboth is referencing refers to the way that the Israelites inherited the land through the allocation of land by God in the book of Joshua. It was to remain with the family and tribe in perpetuity. Therefore, Naboth was forbidden by God to sell his land.

Naboth’s vineyard was also agriculture property. According to Old Testament law farmland could only exchange hands through a limited-lease situation. Land could be leased until the year of Jubilee. Therefore, Naboth was forbidden by God to sell or trade it because of Old Testament law.

Ahab’s sulks because he cannot get what he wants.

Jezebel schemes to have Naboth killed so that Ahab can claim the land that he

would not sell or trade. Her plan works and Naboth is murdered.

Ahab goes to Naboth’s vineyard to seize it but is met by Elijah who delivers God’s message of judgment on both Ahab and Jezebel.

3. Where:

• Naboth’s Vineyard
• Israel (Northern Kingdom)
• city of Jezreel
• the palace of
• Ahab
• Samaria (location given to King Ahab)

4. When:

• During the reign of King Ahab
• During the ministry of Elijah, the prophet
• “After these things…” (1 Kings 21:1) – An Aramean war and the failure of Ahab to follow God’s command (1 Kings 20:26-43)

5. Why:

Why is Naboth forbidden (The Lord forbid…) to sell his vineyard?

It is the inheritance of his ancestors.

Why did Queen Jezebel device a scheme to have Naboth murdered?

The scheme would give her husband, King Ahab, Naboth’s vineyard.

Why did God not immediately punish Ahab?

Ahab humbled himself before God and so go relented on the immediate nature of His punishment.

6. How:

How did Queen Jezebel’s plan unfold?

She had two scoundrels (worthless men) lie about Naboth’s actions of cursing both God and king.

How did God confront the evil actions of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel?

God sent Elijah to confront the King and pronounce His judgment on both the king and queen.

1. Interpretation

1. Determine the author’s main point. In 1–2 paragraphs (100–400 words) explain what you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember, the Old Testament narratives frequently communicate truth by showing it to us in story form instead of telling it to us by way of teaching or sermon. See EBS ch. 28.

The story of Naboth’s vineyard emphasizes the reality that God, hears, sees, and knows of the suffering his people endure. He does not distant and disinterested in the plight of his children. He is a God of justice and will punish the oppressors, regardless of their position. Both King Ahab and Queen Jezebel faced the wrath of God for their sins that led to the death of Naboth. This narrative also highlights the repeated temptation pattern of “see” and “take” resulting in destruction (Adam & Eve, David & Bathsheba, etc.). Human beings continue to give in to temptation that leads to the suffering and destruction of others. It is to this suffering and destruction that God responds with His justice.

1. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able to express this principle in 1-3 sentences. See EBS ch. 33.

God is a God of justice. He will not tolerate evil and he will hold responsible those who commit acts of injustice. Those who suffer can take comfort in knowing a just God rules the world.

III. Correlation

1. How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100–200 words) in length. See EBS chs. 1–6.

The story of Naboth’s vineyard fits within the “fall” theme of the metanarrative of the Bible. This story highlights the rebellious, sinful, and wicked actions of human beings who willingly choose to disobey God’s laws. Jezebel disregards both reasons why God had forbidden the selling or trading of land in His laws. Further, she is also guilty of breaking God’s law with regards to murder and testifying falsely against a neighbor. While it is easy to identify the ways in which Jezebel is a law breaker, it should be noted that Ahab is also guilty of breaking God’s law. Ahab is also guilty of breaking God’s law. In desiring something that was not his (Naboth’s vineyard), Ahab had coveted something that belonged to his neighbor.

1. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one you have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is a true Biblical principle it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length. See EBS ch. 29.

We live in a fallen and rebellious world. This reality results in the suffering of individuals. In this case, Naboth suffered at the hands of a rebellious and wicked queen. However, like the Exodus narrative, God, heard, saw, and knew of the suffering of the Israelites. In this passage God heard, saw, and knew Naboth’s suffering. Like His execution of judgment on the Egyptians, God executes justice on both Jezebel and Ahab. While they may have felt like their actions were concealed, God saw them. While they may have believed they got away with their sin because God’s justice was delayed, God would not let evil go unpunished.

1. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100–200 words) in length. See EBS ch. 30.

Paul writes in Philippians, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Phil 2:5-8 NLT). While Naboth offers us a glimpse of someone who is unjustly suffering, in Christ Jesus we see the true picture of a righteous sufferer. Jesus’s life was not one devoid of suffering. Instead, his life was one of suffering that culminated with the ultimate suffering of crucifixion. However, it was through Christ’s suffering that God responded to what he heard, saw, and knew of his people’s suffering. It was through the cross of Christ that God rescued human beings from their eternal suffering.

1. Application

What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application (EBS ch. 31)? State and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100–200 words) in length.

1. The question of duty

We have the responsibility of taking care of our neighbors. This is something both the Old and New Testament specifically address. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to be honest, provide justice for all of their neighbors, and to love their neighbors as themselves (Lev. 19:11-18). In the New Testament, Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan in order to highlight what being neighborly looked like. The expert in the law asked Jesus the question, “Who is my neighbor?” The answer Jesus provides through the parable does not answer that question and instead poses a question of “Are you neighborly?” The duty to take care of your neighbors is one that the two scoundrels who lied about Naboth refused to uphold. We ought to refuse treating our neighbors as they treated Naboth and instead follow the commands of God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

1. The question of character

Through the examples of Jezebel and Ahab we see the kind of character we should avoid. These are two people who have complete disregard for the laws of God. To that end, they are guilty of coveting, lying, and murder. However, through the example of Naboth we see the kind of character we should develop. Naboth follows God’s law and will not sell or trade his land because he knows that it is an inheritance given to him by God through his ancestors. It would have been easy for him to earn some extra money or perhaps even political favor by breaking the law of God. Instead, he simply affirms the law of God and holds to it. He will not let monetary or personal gain at the expense of breaking God’s laws dictate his decisions.

1. The question of goals

The queen’s plan involved two wicked men and the elders and nobles of Naboth’s city. This group of people went along with Queen Jezebel so that Naboth would be unjustly tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. These men had the opportunity to pursue justice and righteousness so that city life conformed to God’s plans. If these men had set their focus on Godly aims they would have sided with God’s laws and Naboth instead of the schemes of the wicked queen. We out to make it our goal to pursue a life of Godliness where what we chase after lines up with what God has commanded instead of wicked schemes designed for the pursuit of forbidden desires.

1. The question of discernment

There are power systems in this world that are set up to oppress others and take advantage of those who have something desirable. However, these systems do not go unnoticed by the eyes of God. Instead of being an oppressor of the sufferer, He is the one who executes judgment on those who contribute to and cause the suffering of human beings. To that end, we should seek to discern where we can be the voice of God for those who are suffering through actions of justice. These just actions will be characterized by integrity, honesty, and uprightness. When these types of attributes represent our response to suffering and injustice we are demonstrating the character of our God who is a God of righteousness and justice.

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