Being a leader is hard, especially when it comes to wisely using the power that comes from authority.

In 1 Kings 21 we witness an appalling abuse of power by King Ahab, which stands in complete contrast to what servant leadership should be like.

The chapter begins by introducing, “a man named Naboth… who owned a vineyard… beside the palace of King Ahab.”

And it turns out that King Ahab wants Naboth’s land, verse 2, so, “Ahab said to Naboth, “Since your vineyard is so convenient to my palace, I would like to buy it to use as a vegetable garden.”

It sounds reasonable, but Naboth replied, verse 3, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance that was passed down by my ancestors.”