The Queen, a notorious character in those days, and whose name is a by-word and a reproach even in these, came in and asked him wherefore he sorrowed, and he told her.

Jezebel said she could secure the vineyard; and she went forth and forged letters to the nobles and wise men, in the King's name, and ordered them to proclaim a fast and set Naboth on high before the people, and suborn two witnesses to swear that he had blasphemed.

They did it, and the people stoned the accused by the city wall, and he died.

Then Jezebel came and told the King, and said, Behold, Naboth is no more--rise up and seize the vineyard.

So Ahab seized the vineyard, and went into it to possess it.