18. Perhaps their ruin is not God’s will

One afternoon as Avi lay sleeping in camp, Ahab, king of Israel, passed through the vineyard gate and down the path accompanied by his man, Obadiah. The king found Avi and addressed him. “Tell me,” he said, “who owns this land?”

“Naboth, my father, sir,” Avi answered. “He’s working below with his servant and wife.”

“I wish to speak with this Naboth,” Ahab said.

Avi hurried down one level with news. “The king of Israel stands up top wishing to speak with you, Father,” he said. “I’m sure he wants to buy our land. This plot lies close to the citadel. You can demand a big price.”

“And what is your interest, Avi,” Naboth asked, “in my potential gain?”

“With my share I could leave this pit and make a new life.”

Naboth rolled his eyes and started up. Though uninvited, Yashar followed Naboth with Avi and Sara. Ahab and Obadiah stood waiting in the shade near Sara’s cottage. Juttah came up too and lay, head on his paws, between Yashar and the king.

“This is my chief steward, Obadiah,” Ahab said.

Obadiah nodded familiarly at Yashar and Sara and said, “I’m sure you good people recognize the man beside me, it is Ahab, our king.”

Ahab acknowledged their slight bows and got to business. “Give me your vineyard,” he said to Naboth, “so that I may have it for a garden of sweet plants.”

“Tomatoes and such, O king?” Naboth sniffed. “This land is ordained for grapes.”

“Hear me,” Ahab said. “The property lies but a stroll from my house in the city. I want it. In return I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will give you money.”

“The Lord forbids me, sir,” Naboth answered quickly. “I cannot sell my inheritance.”

“But we’ve not yet mentioned an amount,” Obadiah said. “The king of Israel himself stands before you, sir, with resources beyond most men’s ability to comprehend. Would it not serve you well to listen further?”

Naboth shook his head, Sara with him, but Avi asked, “What harm can come from only listening?”

“I was not born in a cave, Avi,” Naboth said. “Who hasn’t heard of the king’s holdings in the capital? Beside Omri’s palace stands Jezebel’s even grander home filled with icons, carvings and precious metals.”

“Then use your imagination, sir,” Obadiah said. “Consider a negotiation. Think what the outcome might mean to your family.”

“Does it not make sense, Father, to give this serious thought?” Avi said.

While Sara straightened Naboth’s hair, Ahab warned them that since the creek had run dry not long before it could quickly do so again, should the weather turn.

“Respectfully, O king,” Sara said, “the weather did not simply turn. The great drought in Israel was certainly God’s will.”

“This notch was once a dustbowl, regardless,” Ahab said. “It could become one again and ruin you.”

“The last did not, O king,” Yashar said. “Perhaps their ruin is not God’s will.”

“I remember this fellow now a third time, Obadiah,” Ahab said, pointing. “Turmoil follows this boy’s every appearance. He plagued me at the gates, with this animal, before the first war with Aram. He stood beside Elijah at Carmel. I know it. He has only grown older and taller.”

“I remember the commotion at the gates as well, sire,” Obadiah said.

“Everyone remembers everything,” Avi said, “but we are no closer to a deal.”

“There will be no deal, Avi, for shame,” Naboth said. He bowed quickly to the king then led Sara away, into their cottage, and shut the door.

Ahab left the vineyard cursing.

Later that evening, Naboth and Sara sat numbed by what had happened. “The king’s interest in this land cannot be good,” Naboth sighed.

Avi argued the opposite. “It could be a boon, Father, if you would only allow yourself to profit.” When Naboth said nothing, Avi left the fire for his cot.