v.1 The taking of another man's land was taking his inheritance. The most clearly documented example of this is the way in which Ahab misappropriated the vineyard of Naboth.

Doubtless this account is given in so much detail to show how Ahab fulfilled the warning of Samuel. 1 Samuel 8:14

Naboth was a Godly man in a Godless country.  He was so strong in his faith, and in his knowledge of the Law of Moses, that he refused the king his request (1Kin 21:2-4It cost the poor man his life, but "he being dead yet speaketh".

Vs.1,2  Ahab was guilty of murder and also contravened the Law as it pertained to property (Deut 19:4).  Naboth's vineyard was conveniently placed for Ahab, but, he did not want it as a vineyard.  He wanted it as a garden of herbs (KJV); vegetable garden (ESV).

Bro. Peter King has a fascinating theory that these herbs were drug-producing plants.  He contends that the outlandish idolatrous practices of the Israelites were done under the influence of drugs.  Nowhere is this greater understood than in the willingness of the Israelites to pass their children through the fire of Molech.

Vs.19,21 Yahweh passed judgement upon Ahab because he was a thoroughly wicked king.  But, when Ahab repented, Yahweh had mercy upon him (vs.27,29). 

How remarkable and how great is Yahweh in His mercy towards sinners (Psa 118:29).  Knowing that we are also sinners, our prayer should be like that of the publican (Luke 18:13). 

21:23  The dogs eating Jezebel was a sign of utter rejection by God. As such Luke 16:21 where the dogs licked the sores of ‘Lazarus’ indicates the depths that Lazarus is seen to be in.

21:4-7 Ahab, disregarding the law of God about inheritance is unhappy with his life. His evil wife counsels him to disregard God’s word and succumb to the desires of the flesh. This he does because he ahs rejected the word of God because it is not convenient. It is not possible to disregard the counsel of God and that decision have no negative impact upon us. If we disregard Scripture because it does not accord with our preferences then we will eventually go the way of Ahab.

21:7-8 Whilst Jezebel says that she will give  Ahab the vineyard of Naboth she enlists others to do her dirty work.

Both the Septuagint and Josephus say that the account of Ch. 21 took place before the war with Ben-hadad.  In that case, Ch. 21 should precede Ch. 20.

It is important to note that Jezebel knows of the law and uses it to her advantage... Deut 17:5-7  & Deut Deut 19:14-15

The two passages from deuteronomy fit the picture we are given here in 1Kin 21:1-14: in Deut 19 we can see in v14 that a neighbours inherited land should not be removed from them, v15 then tells us how a matter is established at the mouth of 2 or 3 whitnesses... Jezebel takes that portion of the law and applies it to Deut 17 v5-7, linking the matter of establishing the truth to the manner in which she would have Naboth killed.  A very sorrowful misuse of the word of God.

Take a look at 2Cor 2:17: We must take this as an example to ourselves... 'for we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God:but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.'

21:20 Ahab’s response to Elijah – ‘hat thou found me, mine enemy’ speaks volumes about Ahab’s attitude. He, by implication, viewed the God of Israel as his enemy!

V.4 Ahab acted like a spoiled child who did not get his own way, and went to his room to sulk. 

Vs.10,13 Ironic, that Jezebel would use the Law of Moses, as a pretext, to falsely accuse Naboth, while she, herself, was a committed idolatress.  Jezebel knew that at least two witnesses were needed to accuse someone under the Law (Deut 17:6).

V.15 Under the Law, Naboth’s property would pass on to his family. But, Jezebel, ever the careful planner, made sure that Naboth’s family was killed as well (2Kin 9:26).

21:17-18  The way in which God cared for Naboth – just one man – contrasts with Ahab’s unwillingness to cal upon the God of Israel when, in the previous chapter, Ben Hadad sought occasion against a whole nation.

There are a number of places mentioned in this chapter which are also found in the record of Israel's conquest of the East of Jordan.

Moab was to be punished for pride and the idolatry it brought Israel through the worship of its god Chemosh. By 700 BC, Moab had fallen under the influence of Assyria.

48:7  In saying ‘Chemosh shall go forth into captivity’ Jeremiah is showing that the god’s of the Moabites were powerless against the Babylonians. Yahweh had been in control of the Babylonians when they came against Jerusalem.

48:8  When speaking of the way in which Moab will suffer at the hands of the Chaldeans the prophet says ‘the spoiler shall come upon every city …’. Thus we see the extent of the destruction in Moab. This should help us to understand that the same would have been true in Judah. God is concerned to tell us about Jerusalem because of it’s importance in the purpose of God, though doubtless other cities in Judah suffered similarly.

V.13 Yahweh hates idolatry, whether it is practiced by aliens (Moab/Chemosh), or His own people (Israel/Golden Calf of Jeroboam in Bethel) (1Kin 12:28-32).  At times, Israel also worshipped Chemosh. 

Vs.18,22 According to Jerome, the town of Dibon was the center of Chemosh worship.  A black stone was the Arab symbol for Chemosh, while a black star was the Jewish symbol. 

48:7 ‘because ...’ is a stark warning for us. The judgement from God came upon Moab because they did not trust in God. They thought their Gods could save them so they learnt that they could not.

V.1 Here, Nebo does not refer to the Babylonian god. It refers to a Moabite town that was taken over by the tribe of Reuben.

V.3 Here is a reference to Sanballat, the Moabite, who tried to spoil Nehemiah’s reconstruction work (Neh 2:19).

V.11 A wine metaphor is being used here.  Lees (KJV) are (wine) dregs (ESV).  As wine rests over time, it becomes stronger.  Moab had been at rest for a long time and had become stronger. Nobody had bothered Moab (he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel).   

V.29 These thoughts are echoed in Isa 16:6,7.

V.32 See Isa 16:8.

48:18,20,22The places named here are all found in Numbers 21

Dibon Num 21:30

Arnon Num 21:13

Dibon (again) Num 21:30

In Numbers 21 if Israel looked to the brazen serpent they lived. Whereas here Moab had no such hope. Their false God – Chemosh – was unable to help.

v.6 By permission - Paul is not commanding them to behave in a particular way but rather is providing an option if they wish to follow it. 1 Corinthians 7:12 25 2 Corinthians 8:8 11:17

This contrasts with times when Paul says he has a commandment from the Lord.

STATUS QUO

Where has God put you in your life to serve Him? There is no "best" or "only" way to serve God. He has called so many different people and we all have different needs, skills, abilities, likes and dislikes that no matter how hard we tried we could never all be the same - like a production line of robots. So Paul tells us in this chapter that if we are married - stay married, if you are circumcised - stay circumcised, if you are unmarried or uncircumcised - stay that way. If you are in a job - there is no need to move. God can use us as well where we are as where we could be. There is probably a reason that he calls us where we are, and it may be that we will be able to reach someone more in the position we are in, than in some other way. So let us not get disheartened or miserable because we think God may have put us in the wrong place, but instead renew our energies to serve him harder, how, when and where he has put us. God knows best and if we put our trust in Him, he will direct our paths. (Prov 3 v 5 - 6) Live for Him today!

Why does Paul say all this? Do we, ourselves, think as Paul does on this subject, or have we allowed the world's thinking to influence us so much that we see the couple state as being the only, or best state to be in? The reason Paul is so positive about the single state is because it allows you to serve the Lord wholeheartedly and without distraction, even as he did. Is this our desire? Have we thanked the Lord lately for being single?

7:8 Paul’s counsel to widows to remain single seems to have been misapplied later in the first century when some tried to stop others getting married – 1Tim 4:3

7:10 When Paul says ‘not I but the lord’ he is not contrasting his own personal opinion with God’s. He is contrasting his inspired comment with the direct instruction of Jesus found, for example, in Matt 5:32

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Vs.6,12 Sometimes Paul talks by permission (concession).  Sometimes he reflects a direct command of Christ (v.10 cf. Mark 10:9,11,12).  But, even when Paul speaks by permission (i.e. not reflecting a direct command of Christ), his instruction is inspired. 

Paul was given a direct commission from Jesus and then given the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:15-17).  Therefore, his statements are not just his opinions to be either accepted or rejected at will.  They are directives to be followed.

7:17 Whilst Paul is addressing a specific question of the Corinthians what he is saying has a general application through the whole of the Christian community. Whilst we realise this it is important to understand that Paul actually makes that point to the Corinthians – doubtless because other ecclesias would see the letter as well in due course.

Paul's advice is looking at the realistic and practical side of spiritual life when we have to deal with other humans including our wives. We can in not way construe that he is put down marriage as a spiritual institution. We see that in Eph. 5 where he clearly shows that one man one woman joined together is type of our relationship with Christ.

Paul would never go against the judgement of God in Gen 2

Gen 2:18
18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

It is interesting to note also that God made the animals male and female but he only initially made man. It was not until no suitable partner was found for man that God through a unique process made the woman (taken out of man). No other female creature was made in this manner.

It was God's assessment that man needed a help meet or a partner but this did not prevent that partner from causing difficulty in the life of her husband.

Paul's reflection here may be an echo back to Gen 3 where the man ate of the fruit at the urging of the woman.

7:12-13 Doubtless it would possibly a very attractive idea to separate from one’s unbelieving wife to marry a believer. The same thought might pass through the mind of the believing wife with an unbelieving husband. After all, one might reason, it is far better that the couple held the same beliefs Wouldn’t it make walking in Christ easier, it might be reasoned. However Paul is clear. Accepting the gospel is not a sufficient reason to separate from ones wife.

Vs.3,4 Under the laws of Christ, deference is expected between husband and wife.  There is no need for any feminist intervention.

V.7 If everyone were celibate, there would be no growth in the Truth.   Paul’s wish is not that everyone should remain single so much as everyone should remain single-minded for Christ (vs.32,33).

V.20 Being called to the Truth does not demand any change in any physical status. 

V.23 See 1Cor 6:20.

7:29-31 Paul is not counselling brethren to ignore their wives as they are involved in the work of the gospel. Rather in all the things he mentions the servant of the lord must realise that all these things are transient and will vanish with the coming of Christ.