Psalm 1 shows us two paths. One is the path of the righteous, the one who follows and obeys God. The other is the path of the wicked, who rebels against God’s law and lives contrary to His will. There are two different paths and each leads to a different fate. As we have seen, the path of the righteous leads to blessing and prosperity. The path of the wicked leads to destruction and meaninglessness. This does not mean that everyone who follows after God will have a trouble-free life and everyone who disobeys God will always face punishment in this life. But it is a principal that is generally true and will ultimately come to pass in God’s timing.

In 1 Kings 21 we see this principal played out in the lives of Ahab and Jezebel, king and queen of Samaria, and Naboth the Jezreelite. Here we see evil and good and the consequences of each. While we don’t see the righteous being blessed in this life, we do see the eventual punishment of the disobedient and wicked king. It’s important for us to remember that this principle outlined in psalm 1 is at work in our world today. It is always better to follow God’s law, to meditate on it day and night, and to avoid the path of the wicked.

● Meditate on psalm 1 paying close attention to the fate of the obedient and the disobedient.

● Consider writing the psalm out by hand again as a way of meditating on the psalm.

● What do you think it means to “delight in the law of the Lord?” Do you do that?

● Why won’t the wicked be able to stand in the judgment? To what judgment do you think the psalmist is referring?

The Lord forbid me that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.

● Why do you think Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard? Why did Naboth refuse to give or sell his vineyard to Ahab?

● What do you think of Naboth’s reason to refuse Ahab’s request?

● How should Ahab have responded? How would you describe his response?

● What does Ahab’s response tell you about his character?

Do you now reign over Israel?

● What does Ahab leave out in his explanation to Jezebel for Naboth’s refusal to sell him his vineyard?

● What is Jezebel’s reaction? What does she promise to do for Ahab?

● Relate this to psalm 1. Which path are these two following? What do you think is their attitude toward God? Does He play any part in their plans?

● What do you think Naboth’s attitude toward God? Which psalm 1 path is he following?

Seat two worthless men before him and let them testify against him.

● In how many ways is Jezebel dishonest and cunning in this passage?

● What does this say about her character? What about the people who did her bidding? Do you think they knew they were doing evil?

● Jezebel is one of the most evil women in all of scripture. How would you describe her attitude toward the Lord here? What is her view of the value of human life?

● Naboth suffered death at the hands of Jezebel. Do you think he will receive blessing from God when he comes into His presence?

“Have you murdered and also taken possession?”

● Was Ahab able to fool God with his sin? How did God inform Ahab that he had sinned?

● Of what was Ahab guilty? What will be his fate according to Elijah’s prophecy?

● What does this tell you about God’s omniscience? Can anything be hidden from God? Is there any sin that will go unnoticed by God?

● How does Ahab’s fate relate to psalm 1? Is he about to become chaff?

I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord.

● What is Elijah’s message to Ahab?

● What will be the fate of Jezebel?

● How did Ahab make Israel sin?

● What does this tell you about God’s judgment?

Surely there is no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord.

● How does Ahab react to Elijah’s message to him from God? Did this surprise you? Why?

● How does God react to Ahab’s repentance? What does this tell you about God’s mercy?

● Read psalm 1 again. How does this psalm relate to this chapter in 1 Kings?

● Consider the choices facing you in your own life today. How will the psalm and 1 Kings 21 impact how you make decisions in the future?