The account of perjury against Naboth is a poignant illustration of the misuse of power and the violation of God's commandments, particularly the prohibition against bearing false witness. This narrative is found in 1 Kings 21, where King Ahab of Israel covets the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. Naboth, adhering to the Mosaic Law, refuses to sell his ancestral inheritance to the king, stating, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers" (1 Kings 21:3).

Ahab's wife, Jezebel, orchestrates a sinister plot to acquire the vineyard by deceitful means. She writes letters in Ahab's name, sealing them with his seal, and sends them to the elders and nobles of Naboth's city. The letters instruct them to "Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him to accuse him, saying, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death" (1 Kings 21:9-10).

The elders and nobles comply with Jezebel's wicked scheme, and two false witnesses are brought forward to accuse Naboth of blasphemy and treason. The perjury committed by these witnesses leads to Naboth's unjust execution by stoning, thus enabling Ahab to seize the vineyard.

This act of perjury is a direct violation of the Ninth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). The false testimony against Naboth not only results in his death but also highlights the broader societal corruption and the failure of Israel's leaders to uphold justice and righteousness.

The prophet Elijah is sent by God to confront Ahab, delivering a message of divine judgment: "Have you not murdered a man and seized his property? ... In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!" (1 Kings 21:19). This pronouncement underscores the seriousness with which God views the sin of perjury and the abuse of authority.

The account of Naboth serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of false testimony and the importance of integrity and truthfulness. It also illustrates the inevitable divine justice that follows such grievous sins, as God's righteousness ultimately prevails over human deceit and corruption.1 Kings 21:8-13
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
Nave's Topical Index

The Ninth Commandment
... confessed his perjury, and continued to weep so long that he wept himself blind.
Jezebel, who suborned two false witnesses against Naboth, was thrown down from ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... who made up the accusation against Naboth the Zezreelite ... only holds this doctrine
of perjury, but practises ... and his writings as witnesses against himself, so ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

The Sixth Commandment
... his death, and caused two false witnesses to swear ... So, when Saul made David go against
the Philistines, he ... Here were two sins bound together, perjury and murder ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... grounds as lying, [298]487, [299]488; some guilty of, fear perjury, [300]500 ... his
books on marriage and virginity, [445]448, [446]454; wrote against Faustus, [447 ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

Why do Christians try to impose their values on others? | GotQuestions.org

What should a Christian do when convictions violate a tolerant society? | GotQuestions.org

Perjury: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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