Ahab Condemned

In one of his meetings, D.L. Moody was explaining to his audience the truth that we cannot bring about spiritual changes in our lives by our own strength. He demonstrated the principal like this: “Tell me,” he said to his audience, “how can I get the air out of … More

Victory

Once again Israel was severely outnumbered by the Syrians (vv. 26-27). In comparison with the vast host of the Arameans the Israelite forces looked like two small flocks of goats (v. 27). God was their only hope of victory and He was about to demonstrate His power in a most vivid way. The sovereign God of all creation was fighting for Israel. 

When they engaged in battle the Syrians faced the proverbial “out of the frying pan and into the fire” experience (vv. 28-29). They lost l00,000 men and the rest of their troops took refuge inside the city walls of Aphek (v. 29). But God killed an additional 27,000 by causing the city wall to collapse on them (v. 30).

While Ben-hadad was hiding in an inner room of a city building, his officials advised him to give himself up and plead for mercy. Ben-hadad’s servants appealed for Ahab’s sympathy. As a result the two kings met and an agreement was made where Ben-hadad pledged to return the cities his father had taken from Ahab’s father (vv. 31-34). In addition Ben-hadad offered trade privileges to Ahab in Damascus.  Ahab’s motive was to use Syria as a buffer in the event of an invasion by Assyria.

Ahab’s action called for God’s judgement (vv. 35-36). It was not his prerogative to dictate terms of peace for a victory God had won. Ahab’s motive for sparing Ben-hadad revealed a lack of trust in God to exercise His power against Assyria as He had done against Syria. As in Nathan’s story to David (2 Sam. 12:1–7) the king responded to the prophet in words that judged himself (vv. 37-43). 

Application

It is so easy for me to take things into our own hands, just as Ahab did, when I need to seek God’s counsel. I need to always follow God’s plan for my life and not my own plan.

I Kings 20:26-43 (English Standard Version)


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