Lesson 4: “Elijah and Naboth’s Vineyard”

Elijah confronts King Ahab over Jezebel’s false accusation, murder, and plunder of Naboth

What are some of your “little” sins? You deserve death for them: “When you complain about the meals your mom or dad cooks, it’s a sin. When you fail to keep a promise, it’s a sin. What are some other ways children your age sin? (Allow children to share examples). Some people think there’s nothing wrong a little sin—nothing will happen…. Because you have sinned, you have earned God’s punishment for sin, which is spiritual death…. That means … never going to Heaven.”

Scene 1: King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard, but Naboth refuses to sell it to him. King Ahab pouts in his bed and refuses to eat.

Don’t covet or pout: “God says in the first part of our memory verse, ‘Be content with such things as ye have’ (Heb. 13:5)…. Be content with what God has given you. Otherwise you will be sinning by coveting and pouting.”

Scene 2: Queen Jezebel conspires to steal the vineyard. She gets two witnesses to falsely accuse Naboth of blasphemy and treason. Naboth is stoned to death.

Sinless Jesus was put to death for your petty sins: “He died for your sin, taking the punishment for all of the ways you have broken God’s laws. He died for the sinful things you think about, say and do. He died for the lies you’ve told, the bad things you’ve thought about someone else and the times you’ve disobeyed….”

Scenes 3-4: Elijah confronts King Ahab and prophesies his and Jezebel’s death as punishment. In repentance, Ahab rents his robes and wears rags. God delays the punishment for three years, but then they die.