I've been reading through II Kings in my personal devotions lately. I was intrigued this morning to see the conclusion of a story arc which is, unfortunately, more than applicable to situations we see today, ignoring the Bill of Rights, specifically the Fifth Amendment.

And it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money."

But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!"

So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food. (I Kings 21:1-4)

Of course, Jezebel could not leave her husband sulking. She reminded him, "You now exercise authority over Israel!" She wrote letters to the elders, and sent two scoundrels to frame Naboth for blasphemy and treason, and he was stoned to death. And so, Ahab gained Naboth's vineyard.

But, today, I read the happy ending. (I recommend playing the movement "O Fortuna" from Orff's Carmina Burana in the background as you read the following.)

So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram was laid up there; and Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram.

Now a watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came, and said, "I see a company of men."

And Joram said, "Get a horseman and send him to meet them, and let him say, "Is it peace?"'

So the horseman went to meet him, and said, "Thus says the king: "Is it peace?"'

And Jehu said, "What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me."

So the watchman reported, saying, "The messenger went to them, but is not coming back." Then he sent out a second horseman who came to them, and said, "Thus says the king: "Is it peace?"'

And Jehu answered, "What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me."

So the watchman reported, saying, "He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously!"

Then Joram said, "Make ready." And his chariot was made ready. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot; and they went out to meet Jehu, and met him on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, "Is it peace, Jehu?"

So he answered, "What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?"

Then Joram turned around and fled, and said to Ahaziah, "Treachery, Ahaziah!" Now Jehu drew his bow with full strength and shot Jehoram between his arms; and the arrow came out at his heart, and he sank down in his chariot. Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, "Pick him up, and throw him into the tract of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember, when you and I were riding together behind Ahab his father, that the LORD laid this burden upon him: "Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons,' says the LORD, "and I will repay you in this plot,' says the LORD. Now therefore, take and throw him on the plot of ground, according to the word of the LORD." (II Kings 9:16-29)