A modern rendering of Naboth’s vineyard

Abstract

The story of Naboth’s vineyard is a simple story to conceptualize for most readers. A king sees something he desires, and he devises a way to take it. In the case of Naboth, the king had him murdered. In the twenty-first century, imagining a king or other leader who wields this type of authority and influence can be difficult. This article outlines a different understanding for the story (1 Kgs 21:1–16), in which economic forces, not a singular person, drive the procurement of land through the use of fair and legal means. After a brief contextualization of the passage, the article moves to outline the relationship between Kirkwood, MO and the area of Meacham Park. The purpose of this article is help readers understand how fair and legal means can wield the same power as a monarchy, and that Christians must see the world through a lens other than economic issues.