THE CAUSE OF THE QUARREL

A bunch of ripe grapes

Wine was an important part of the diet - taken with most meals. It is no accident that Jesus uses it as a symbol of life and nourishment at the Last Supper. At that time, wine had already been used for thousands of years in Near Eastern countries.

Naboth's vineyard had been in his family for many generations and he was loathe to part with it, even though it was the King himself who wanted to buy it. It represented his family's right to own land that had been handed down through many generations, and he believed God meant him to keep it and pass it on to his descendants.

Of course, the Bible story is about a power struggle between 'people power' and absolute monarchy. But Naboth probably loved his vineyard for itself as well - who could resist the beauty of ripe grapes like these? And the wine they produce?