June 28: 1 Kings 20, 21

June 28, 1 Kings 20, 21

1 Kings 20 We learned from 1 Kings 15 that Ben-hadad, King of Syria, broke his covenant with the King of Israel and made a covenant with Judah. Now, Ben-hadad has gathered his large army to attack Israel. He wants to reduce Israel to basically be his slaves. He requested all the silver and gold of Ahab, King of Israel, along with his wives and kids. Ahab was going to do it, but the elders of Israel told him not to. 

Then a prophet came to Ahab and told him that there was going to be war, and that Ahab was to start it and that they would win - so that he would know that God is Lord. He mustered up an army that was way smaller than that of Ben-hadad’s. Israel went out at noon towards the Syrians, meanwhile Ben-hadad was getting drunk with a bunch of his leaders. Israel completely pummeled Syria that day and Ben-hadad escaped. A prophet came to warn Israel to get ready for a spring battle, as was the customary time to go to war. Meanwhile, Ben-hadad was also getting ready for a massive spring battle, with advantages that he was scheming on. 

As God spoke, Ahab won the battle again. Ahab spared Ben-hadad’s life, and made a covenant with him and let him go. 

Then a prophet went to a man, as the Lord commanded him, and told another man to strike him. The man refused, and his punishment for disobeying God was immediate death. A lion killed him. Then the prophet said to the next man, strike me, and the man did and wounded him. Stay with me… So then, the prophet disguised himself and put a bandage over his eyes. Then comes by Ahab and the prophet gives an illustration of choosing to disobey or obey. Then the prophet removes his bandage and Ahab knows he is a prophet, and the prophet said to him, ”Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall be for his life, and your people for his people”. Ahab went home vexed and sullen. Stay tuned…

1 Kings 21 We now deviate back to Elijah! We learn of a man called Naboth, who owned a vineyard. King Ahab wanted it, so he went and offered to Naboth money or a better piece of land. Naboth refused the King, because he did not want to give to Ahab the inheritance from his fathers. Ahab went home vexed and sullen, again! Jezebel, his wife, couldn't believe that he was refusing to eat and so depressed. She reminded him that he was king and to get up and do something about it. Instead, she did. She set up Naboth for absolute failure by having wicked men falsely accuse Naboth. And it happened just like that. Naboth was accused of cursing God and he was stoned to death. Jezebel got her way and now Naboth could have the vineyard and he took possession of it. 

“Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.” Elijah is to go call out Ahab, and that is what he does. Ahab has caused Israel to sin.

Ahab was an incredibly wicked man. Yet, when Ahab heard this, he repented like never before and God relented from killing him. That being said, God would bring destruction upon his son. 

To sum it all up:

• Lots going on here. Underlying theme is to fight the lure of wickedness and pursue righteousness. Obey what God is calling you to.