16. Ahab heard that Naboth was dead. So he got up. He went down to take over Naboth's vineyard.
17. Then a message from the Lord came to Elijah, who was from Tishbe. It said,
18. "Go down to see Ahab, the king of Israel. He rules in Samaria. You will find him in Naboth's vineyard. He has gone there to take it over.
19. Tell him, 'The Lord says, "Haven't you murdered a man? Haven't you taken over his property?" ' Then tell him, 'The Lord says, "Dogs licked up Naboth's blood. In that same place dogs will lick up your blood. Yes, I said your blood!" ' "
20. Ahab said to Elijah, "My enemy! You have found me!" "I have found you," he answered. "That's because you gave yourself over to do evil things. You did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.
21. So the Lord says, 'I am going to bring horrible trouble on you. I will destroy your children after you. I will cut off every male in Israel who is related to you. It does not matter whether they are slaves or free.
22. I will make your royal house like the house of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. I will make it like the house of Baasha, the son of Ahijah. You have made me very angry. You have caused Israel to commit sin.'
23. "The Lord also says, 'Dogs will eat up Jezebel near the wall of Jezreel.'
24. "Some of the people who belong to Ahab will die in the city. Dogs will eat them up. Others will die in the country. The birds of the air will eat them."
25. There was never anyone like Ahab. He gave himself over to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord. His wife Jezebel talked him into it.
26. He acted in the most evil way. He worshiped statues of gods. He was like the Amorites. The Lord drove them out to make room for Israel.
27. When Ahab heard what Elijah had said, he tore his clothes. He put on black clothes. He went without eating. He even slept in his clothes. He went around looking sad.
28. Then a message from the Lord came to Elijah, who was from Tishbe. It said,