The last of the ten commandments is not coveting anything that is your neighbors. Ahab’s coveting of Naboth’s vineyard illustrates the dynamics and results of coveting. Coveting expressed itself in this example through false witness, murder and stealing. Those who follow deception because they have no shepherd covet and commit idolatry.

Dynamics of Coveting
Ahab became depressed when Naboth refused to give his vineyard to him as it was located next to the king’s palace. Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, proclaimed a fast where two worthless men testified that Naboth cursed God and the king so he could be stoned to death. Ahab then took possession of the vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-16). The expression of coveting is false witness, murder and stealing.

God’s word came to Elijah to ask Ahab about his murder and stealing Naboth’s vineyard. Elijah predicted that dogs would lick up his blood like Naboth’s. Elijah told Ahab that selling himself to do evil in God’s sight made Israel sin. As a result, his descendants would be cut off like Jeroboam and Baasha with dogs eating Jezebel in the district of Jezreel (1 Kings 21:17-24). The outcome of coveting is death and disgrace.

There was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil and followed idols of the Amorites because Jezebel incited him. When Ahab heard these words, he humbled himself before God. He told Elijah that the evil would come during his son’s days (1 Kings 21:25-29). The cause of coveting is selling oneself to do evil and following idols.

Results of Coveting
Jehoshaphat agreed to go to battle with Ahab against Aram and take Ramoth-gilead if they inquired first for the word of the Lord. The prophets told Ahab to go since the Lord would provide victory. After Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet of the Lord, Zedekiah made horns of iron saying the Arameans would be gored with them (1 Kings 22:1-12). Ignore prayer and follow false politically correct voices.

A messenger told Micaiah to speak favorable words like the other prophets, but said he would only speak what the Lord told him. Micaiah said that since he saw Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd, each person should return to his house in peace. The Lord put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of the prophets to proclaim disaster to Ahab (1 Kings 22:13-23).  Deceptive counsel occurs because of having no shepherd.

Zedekiah struck Micaiah on the cheek questioning how the Spirit of the Lord passed from him to Micaiah. Ahab put him in prison and said if the king returned safely, the Lord had not spoken to him (1 Kings 22:24-28).  True, honest, and contrary voices are often silenced.

Ahab disguised himself in battle and Aram stopped pursuing them when they saw Jehoshaphat leading the battle. A man drew his bow at random and struck Ahab in a joint of the armor and he died that evening. A cry went out, “Every man to his city and every man to his country.” The dogs licked up Ahab’s blood where the harlots bathed by the pool of Samaria in fulfillment of God’s word (1 Kings 22:29-40). Manipulating outcomes often lead to disaster.

Jehosphaphat, king over Judah, did right in God’s sight like Asa his father except the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. He made peace with the king of Israel, expelled the Sodomites from the land and made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold that became broken (1 Kings 22:41-50). Refuse to engage in spiritual warfare  and pursue disunity between people.

Ahaziah son of Ahab did evil like his father, mother and Jeroboam who caused Israel to sin. He served and worshiped Baal while provoking the Lord to anger according to all his father had done (1 Kings 22:51-53). Serving idols ourselves causes others to sin.

Ask yourself these questions to determine if you covet: 
1. Do you bear false witness, get angry and steal?
2. Do you ignore prayer and follow false politically correct voices? 
3. Do you silence contrary voices?
4. Do you manipulate outcomes? 
5. Do you refuse to engage in spiritual warfare?
6. Do you serve idols that cause others to sin? 


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