ALL THE KING’S MEN 87 Using Ahab’s name and royal seal, Jezebel put Naboth in a difficult situation. Two scoundrels accused him of cursing God and the king. Naboth was stoned to death for blasphemy. “And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it” (1 Kings 21:16). The chilling story obviously demonstrates corruption. Ahab wanted a vineyard and Jezebel used their power to get it. This instance is joined by many others in Scripture. David lusted after a woman, impregnated her, and used his power as king to put her husband in mortal danger during battle. The prophet Micah describes “the rulers of the house Israel! Is it not for you to know justice? You who hate the good and love the evil” (Micah 3:1b-2a). The prophet Habakkuk says, “Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth” (Hab. 1:3b-4a). Responding to Corruption Political corruption, where leaders choose their own good over the good of society, is common in literature and history, and is described in the Bible in detail. The truth of corruption persists because human beings are sinful. We, by nature, put ourselves above one another and above God. When this bent is combined with the power of government, corruption is almost the inevitable outcome. This is one reason why America’s founders, like James Madison, were wise. They were aware of this tendency, so they constructed a government based on this belief. The government must be strong enough to govern but made so it might control itself. But governmental designs, especially in free societies like ours, are only as good as the people being governed. It is our responsibility, as voters and citizens, to hold those who govern us responsible for their actions. The ballot box, when stuffed by a virtuous people, is the most potent medicine for political diseases. Even Willie Stark would tremble in the face of a righteous electorate, and he would rethink his choices or suffer the consequences.
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