Once upon a Marriage Series … takes over.

“” I’ll get you Naboth’s vineyard!” 1 Kings 21:7b (NLT) No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel. 1 Kings 21:25 (NLT) The Husband:

Ahab: The passive husband. Is called to lead.

Now there was a man named Naboth, from Jezreel, who owned a For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the One day Ahab said to Naboth, “Since your vineyard is so church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church convenient to my palace, I would like to buy it to use as a submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or everything. if you prefer, I will pay you for it.” For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you loved the church. He gave up his life for her the inheritance that was passed down by my ancestors.” Ephesians 5:22-25 (NLT) So Ahab went home angry and sullen because of Naboth’s answer. The king went to bed with his face to the wall and refused As… to eat! 1 Kings 21:1-4 (NLT) Provider. Protector. Jezebel: The controlling wife. Pastor. “What’s the matter?” his wife Jezebel asked him. “What’s made you so upset that you’re not eating?” SO WHAT? “I asked Naboth to sell me his vineyard or trade it, but he refused!” Ahab told her. “Are you the king of Israel or not?” Jezebel demanded. God will hold the husband accountable. “Get up and eat something, and don’t worry about it. I’ll get you Naboth’s vineyard!” When Jezebel heard the news, she said to Ahab, “You know the vineyard Naboth wouldn’t sell you? Well, you can have it now! 1 Kings 21:5-7 (NLT) He’s dead!” So Ahab immediately went down to the vineyard of Naboth to claim it. … criticizes her husband. But the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be at Naboth’s vineyard in “Are you the king of Israel or not?” Jezebel demanded. Jezreel, claiming it for himself. Give him this message: ‘This is 1 Kings 21:7a(NLT) what the Lord says: Wasn’t it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick The tongue can bring death or life; your blood at the very place where they licked the blood of those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Naboth!’” Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) 1 Kings 21:15-19 (NLT) Notes Growth Group Questions (Questions and Scriptures for further study)

1. Would you describe yourself as a mostly aggressive or mostly

passive person?

Are there areas of your life where you act differently than how you normally operate?

2. Read 1 Kings 21:1-29. Ahab & Jezebel had an unhealthy marriage marked by a passive husband and a controlling wife. What kinds of controlling behaviors have you seen damage your relationships or the relationships of others?

How can we be healthy and assertive in our lives and relationships without being overbearing or controlling?

3. What types of attitudes or circumstances can cause us to become passive in our relationships with others?

4. Jezebel controlled Ahab by criticism and belittling him. What kinds of words help you to maintain a healthy relationship?

What can you do to speak positively in your relationships?

5. Describe a time when God held you accountable for a sin that you committed. What did you learn from that situation?