Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Kings 21

A vineyard ... in Jezreel — The name Jezreel is applied in Scripture not merely to the town (1 Kings 18:46) but also to the valley or plain which lies below it, between Mount Gilboa and Little Hermon (2 Samuel 2:9; 2 Kings 9:10; Hosea 1:5; etc.).

The palace of Ahab at Jezreel was on the eastern side of the city, looking toward the Jordan down the valley described above. It abutted on the town wall (2 Kings 9:30–31). Immediately below it was a dry moat. Beyond, in the valley, either adjoining the moat or, at any rate, at no great distance, was the plot of ground belonging to Naboth (2 Kings 9:21).

I will give you the worth of it in money - literally, “I will give you silver, the worth of it.” Money, in our sense of the word, that is to say, coins of definite values, did not yet exist. The first coin known to the Jews was the Persian daric, with which they became acquainted during the captivity (1 Chronicles 29:7 note).

The Lord forbid it me — or, “Yahweh forbid it me.” Naboth, as a worshipper of Yahweh, not of Baal, considers it would be wrong for him to comply with the king’s request, as it was contrary to the Law (see margin). His was not a mere refusal arising out of a spirit of sturdy independence, or one based upon the sentiment that attaches people to ancestral estates.

Upon his bed - That is, “upon his couch.” The Jews, like other ancient peoples of the East, reclined on couches at their meals (Amos 6:4; Ezekiel 23:41, and elsewhere). Ahab turns his face toward the back of the couch, rejecting all conversation with others, and so remains after the banquet is served, refusing to eat. Such an open manifestation of ill temper is thoroughly characteristic of an ancient Eastern king.

The meaning is, “Are you king, and yet allow yourself to be thwarted in this way by a mere subject? I, the queen, the weak woman, will give you the vineyard, if you, the king, the strong man, will do nothing.”