Greed and covetousness have very little to do with someone’s financial or material standing. Ahab who was king of Israel arguably had control over vast resources, yet he was not satisfied. His greed led him to indicate interest in Naboth’s vineyard. Naboth refused for the singular reason that it was an inheritance handed down through several generations of fathers. To proof that Naboth was not just trying to call the bluff off the king, we need to read from God’s law. “So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers” (Numbers 36:7). By asking for the vineyard, Ahab acted in total disregard to God’s command. Naboth’s refusal pointed to the fact that he obeyed the word of God.

Greed and covetousness have very little to do with someone’s financial or material standing…We are to keep boundaries and abide by agreements. Going contrary to this may attract sanctions from God. 

Through lies and manipulation, Naboth was killed and his inheritance was forcefully taken over. The tenth commandment forbade covetousness, while the sixth is against murder. Ahab failed on both counts. What began as covetousness was compounded by murder. However, God rose to avenge the wrongs. Ahab died as well as his wife, the body of the latter was eaten by dogs. A general application of this principle for our world today is not to defraud others, particularly the weak and the defenseless. We are to keep boundaries and abide by agreements. Going contrary to this may attract sanctions from God.