I Kings 20

Ben-hadad sends message to Ahab verse 1- 3

And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together and there were thirty and two kings with him – and horses – and chariots and he went up and besieged Samaria – and warred against it

And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel in the city – and said unto him Thus says Ben-hadad Your silver and your gold is mine your wives also and your children even the goodliest are mine

Ahab agrees to terms verse 4

And the king of Israel answered and said

My lord – O king – according to your saying

I am yours – and all that I have

Ben-hadad sent second message to Ahab verse 5- 6

And the messengers came again – and said

Thus speaks Ben-hadad – saying

Although I have sent unto you – saying

You shall deliver me your silver –gold – wives – children

Yet I will send my servants unto you tomorrow about this time

and they shall search your house

and the houses of your servants

And it shall be – that whatsoever is pleasant in your eyes

they shall put it in their hand – and take it away

Ahab brings second message to elders of Israel verse 7

Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land – and said

Mark – I pray you – and see how this man seeks mischief

for he sent unto me for my wives – children

silver – gold – and I denied him not

Elders told Ahab to not honor second message verse 8

And all the elders and all the people said unto him

Hearken not unto him – nor consent

Ahab sends message of decision to Ben-hadad verse 9

Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Ben-hadad

Tell my lord the king – all that you did send for to your servant

at the first I will do – BUT this thing I may not do

And the messengers departed and brought him word again

Ben-hadad angry verse 10

And Ben-hadad sent unto him – and said

The gods do so unto me – and more also

IF the dust of Samaria shall suffice for

handfuls for all the people that follow me

Ahab sends message back to Ben-hadad verse 11

And the king of Israel answered and said

Tell him – Let not him that girds on his harness

boast himself as he that puts it off

Ben-hadad orders attack of Samaria verse 12

And it came to pass – when Ben-hadad heard this message – as he was drinking he and the kings in the pavilions – that he said unto his servants

Set yourselves in array

And they set themselves in array against the city

LORD sends prophet to Ahab promising victory verse 13- 14

And – behold – there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel – saying

Thus says the LORD

Have you seen all this great multitude?

BEHOLD – I will deliver it into your hand this day

AND you shall KNOW that I am the LORD

And Ahab said

By whom?

And he said

Thus says the LORD

Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces

Then he said

Who shall order the battle?

And he answered

You

Ahab gathered troops verse 15- 17

Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces

and they were two hundred and thirty two

and after them he numbered all the people

even all the children of Israel – being seven thousand

and they went out at noon

BUT Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions – he and the kings

the thirty and two kings that helped him

And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first

and Ben-hadad sent out – and they told him – saying

There are men come out of Samaria

Ben-hadad ordered Israelite army taken alive verse 18

And he said

Whether they be come out for peace – take them alive

or whether they be come out for war – take them alive

Israelite army chases enemy army verse 19- 21

So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city

and the army which followed them

and they slew every one his man – and the Syrian fled

and Israel pursued them

and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on an

horse with the horsemen

And the king of Israel went out – and smote the horses and chariots

and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter

Prophet informs Ahab Ben-hadad is coming back verse 22

And the prophet came to the king of Israel – and said unto him

Go – strengthen yourself – and mark – and see what you do

for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up

against you

Ben-hadad’s officers think God is only good in hills verse 23- 25

And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him

Their gods are gods of the hills – therefore they were stronger than we

but let us fight against them in the plain

and surely we shall be stronger than they

And do this thing

Take the kings away – every man out of his place

and put captains in their rooms – and number thee an army

like the army that thou hast lost

horse for horse – chariot for chariot

and we fight against them in the plain

and surely we shall be stronger than they

And he harkened unto their voice – and did so

Ben-hadad brings army against Israel verse 26- 27

And it came to pass at the return of the year

that Ben-hadad numbered the Syrians – and went up to Aphek

to fight against Israel

And the children of Israel were numbered – and were all present

and went against them

and the children of Israel pitched before them like two

little flocks of kids

BUT the Syrians filled the country

Man of God comes to Ahab promising victory verse 28

And there came a man of God – and spoke unto the king of Israel – and said

Thus says the LORD

BECAUSE the Syrians have said

The LORD is God of the hills

BUT HE is not God of the valleys

THEREFORE will I deliver all this great multitude into

your hand – and ye shall KNOW that I am the LORD

Ben-hadad defeated verse 29- 30

And they pitched one over against the other seven days

and so it was – that in the seventh day the battle was joined

and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day but the rest fled to Aphek into the city

and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven

thousand of the men that were left

And Ben-hadad fled – and came into the city – into an inner chamber

Ben-hadad’s officers suggest surrender verse 31

And his servants said unto him

BEHOLD now – we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel

are merciful kings

Let us – I pray you – put sackcloth on our loins – and ropes upon our heads and go out to the king of Israel – peradventure he will save your life

Ben-hadad surrenders verse 32

So they girded sackcloth on their loins – and put ropes on their heads

and came to the king of Israel – and said

Your servant Ben-hadad says

I pray you – let me live

And he said

Is he yet alive?

he is my brother

Ahab makes treaty with Ben-hadad verse 33- 34

Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him and did hastily catch it – and they said Your brother Ben- hadad

Then he said

Go ye bring him

Then Ben-hadad came forth to him

and he caused him to come up into the chariot

and Ben-hadad said unto him

The cities – which my father took from your father

I will restore

And you shall make streets for thee in Damascus

as my father made in Samaria

Then said Ahab

I will send you away with this covenant

So he made a covenant with him – and sent him away

Disobedient prophet attacked by lion verse 35- 36

And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto

his neighbor in the word of the LORD

Smite me I pray you

And the man refused to smite him

Then said he unto him

Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD

BEHOLD – as soon as you are departed from me

a lion shall slay you

And as soon as he was departed from him

a lion found him – and slew him

Second obeyed prophet verse 37

Then he found another man – and said

Smite me – I pray you

And the man smote him – so that in smiting he wounded him

Prophet confronts Ahab verse 38- 40

So the prophet departed – and waited for the king by the way

and disguised himself with ashes upon his face

And as the king passed by – he cried unto the king – and he said

Your servant went out into the midst of the battle

and behold – a man turned aside – and brought a man unto me

and said Keep this man – IF by any means he be missing

THEN shall your life be for his life

or else you shall pay a talent of silver

and as your servant was busy here and there – he was gone

And the king of Israel said unto him

So shall your judgment be – yourself hast decided it

Prophet tells Ahab of his disobedience verse 41- 43

And he hasted – and took the ashes away from his face

and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets

And he said unto him

Thus says the LORD

BECAUSE you have let go out of your hand a man whom

I appointed to utter destruction

THEREFORE your life shall go for his life

and your people for his people

And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased

and came to Samaria

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 6 Yet I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house, and the houses of your servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in your eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away. (4261 “pleasant” [machmad] means something desirable, precious object, what Is pleasing to, attractiveness to the opposite sex, desirable thing, treasure, lovely, or things precious and valued)

DEVOTION: Here is a heathen king going into Israel to threaten the king. First he wanted to inform him that all the silver and gold is his. Also that even Ahab’s wives and the best of his children were his.

Then he sent a second time that he was going to send his servants into the house of Ahab and whatever thought was valuable he was going to take from him. Well that was too much for Ahab to take. He called the elders together to ask what he should do. He refused the second request of the king of Syria as part of the surrender plan.

What would it take for you to realize that you were giving up too much to our enemy the devil? What could he ask for that would make you not want to give it to him? Many times we find we are faced with the fact that he wants every part of our life. He wants us to have friends that love him rather than Christ. He wants us to spend our money on things that are not pleasing to the LORD. He wants us to skip church and any Christian activities with lame excuses.

If he came up to you like the king of Syria came to the king of Israel would you react the same way? We know that he tempts us in such a way that he deceives into thinking that what he is asking is really not that bad.

We have to watch what room we give to our enemy before we are willing to call on the LORD to give us strength to fight his wiles. Each day he is trying to get us a little further away from the LORD.

CHALLENGE: If we let him he will take away everything we consider valuable and leave us with NOTHING!!! The Bible tells us to resist the devil and he will FLEE from you!!!

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 13 And, behold, there came a prophet to Ahab king of Israel, saying, This says the LORD, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this day; and you shall know that I am the LORD. (5414 “deliver” [nathan] means to give, to hand down, to allow, to surrender someone or something to another, to cause to receive, bestow, or dedicate)

DEVOTION: Here is a promise from the LORD through a prophet. HE promised a victory over an army greater than Ahab had to fight with against. It was a promise only the LORD could make in such circumstances. HE had the ability.

Ahab was not a good king. He was willing to give up almost anyone in his own family and all the possessions to give him peace. However, the king of Syria wanted more. This is a problem even today. Compromise seems to never end when dealing with an enemy of the LORD.

God wants us not to compromise our beliefs and to trust in HIM to take care of our battles. We need to learn this truth if we are to win any battles against the world, the flesh and the devil.

It is not easy to fight. It is easier to give in to the enemy and not fight battles we think we will not win. This was the case here. Ahab saw no way to win the battle, so he gave in without a fight at first.

In comes a prophet that tells him the LORD is going to fight for him. Remember that Ahab was not a good king but the LORD was protecting HIS own people. HE was showing the other nations that these were HIS people and they were going to win against this force.

We need to realize that the size of the enemy is not the deciding factor. It is whether the LORD is with us in the battle. If HE is with us we will win. If HE is against us we will lose.

Our responsibility is to keep in close fellowship with HIM as we face the battles in our lives. If we stay close to HIM HE will guide us just like HE sent a prophet to encourage Ahab who was a wicked king.

Are we presently fighting a battle we think we are going to lose because we have no power to fight? God wants us to know that if we are fighting a battle HE thinks we should win HE will send us the strength to fight.

Are you looking to the LORD for strength to fight against the enemies we are facing? HE is not any weaker today as HE was not weak in the past. Trust in HIM to help us with genuine battles of faith.

CHALLENGE: Even weak believers can win battles if the LORD is fighting with us.

_______________________________________________

: 16 And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and his kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.(7910 “drunk” [shikkowr] means to take in liquids, stupefied or excited by the consumption of alcohol, intoxicated, drinking to drunkenness, or a person who is intoxicated with excess alcohol either as an event, or as an ongoing process which characterizes a person)

DEVOTION: Here we have Ben-Hadad and thirty-two other kings who have gathered an army that made the children of Israel’s army looked like to small troops of soldiers. It was unfair to think that Israel could defeat such an army.

What made the difference? A prophet came from the LORD with instructions from the LORD on how to win the impossible battle. They had a troop of seven thousand to go against this large army.

The difference was in the fact that during this first battle the kings were drunk in their tent with alcohol and power. They thought they could win hands down. They told their soldiers to take the soldiers of Israel alive. Don’t try to kill them but capture them only.

What happened? The larger army was defeated by the small army of the LORD. Sometimes we get caught up in numbers to the point that we think that because we are small in number we don’t have any chance of winning the battle against our enemy Satan.

This wrong thinking comes from the enemy not the LORD. One person can chase a thousand and a hundred people can chase ten thousand with the help of the LORD. We underestimate our strength because we have the LORD on our side if we are fighting a battle for truth and justice in our world.

Don’t give into thinking that size makes a difference when we face the world. Our LORD is still on the throne and every battle we fight in HIS strength we will win. Every battle we try to fight ourselves we will lose.

We need the spiritual power of the LORD to help us in both little and big battles that we face. Remember we receive this strength through our meditation on the Word of God and prayer. All power is given to those who are genuine followers of the LORD.

CHALLENGE: If you are losing a battle because of sin. Turn to the LORD in repentance and HE will give you victory.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 28 And there came a man of God, and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(3045 “know” [yada] means acknowledge, answer, assuredly, be aware, for a certainty, comprehend, understand or discern)

DEVOTION: Here we have an evil king receiving a visit from a prophet of God. Remember that this king is married to Jezebel. She wanted to kill Elijah.

Now the nation of Syria was coming into Israel to make war with them. Ben-hadad wanted to insult Israel. He sent two messengers to Israel. The first wanted the gold, silver and his wives. The second wanted anything they thought looked good.

After the second message the elders of Israel told Ahab not to except the terms. He sent a message back to Ben-hadad, which made him very angry. He ordered his troops to be ready to fight.

However, the LORD wanted the world to know that HE was the only true God. HE wanted even this evil king to know that HE was the LORD of the universe. HE was the creator of the world. HE was sovereign. The way HE was going to show HIS sovereignty was to defeat a huge army with a small army. HE had done it before but felt that Syria and Israel both needed to understand who was in control of the world.

There is a phrase used two times in this chapter that informs Ahab that he is going to be aware of WHO the LORD was and what HE could do. The Syrians came to conquer and they failed because of the LORD. The Syrians thought that the LORD could only fight in one location. They thought at first that HE was only the God of the hills. The second time HE showed them that HE was the God of both the hills and the plains.

They were wrong. Here is a king who worships other gods and thinks it is all right. God sends a prophet to him and tells him that HE will spare Israel from the Syrians. This king needs to know that nothing he can do will save the nation. He needs to know that the LORD is God alone. Victory in battle is the way God shows him that HE is in control of this world.

Ahab still doesn’t do what the LORD commanded regarding the utter destruction of Syria. The LORD, wanted Benhadad to be killed with all his people. Instead, Ahab makes a covenant with him. Ahab had victory in his hands but the LORD told him that his actions caused him to lose the throne and his people.

How many victories has the LORD given us to help us realize HE is in control? We need to learn that after the LORD delivers us from our enemies to serve HIM still. Not only serve but OBEY HIS commands.

Are we asking the LORD what to do after a victory? Remember after a victory is an important time to give thanks to the LORD and seek HIS direction. Otherwise, victory can be turned to defeat. The greatest time for defeat seems to be after a great victory.

CHALLENGE: When you think that God is not on your side because you are still a sinner remember this story. HE is willing to help us through any trial, as long as, we count on HIM instead of ourselves.

____________________________________________

: 42 And he said to him, This says the LORD, Because you have let go out of your hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people. (2764 “appointed to utter destruction” [cherem] means accursed, ban, thing hostile to theocracy, devoting a thing to utter destruction, consecrated possession, or doomed object)

DEVOTION: Here we have a man who didn’t respect the LORD. He thought that the LORD could only fight in the hills or the valleys but not in both. He didn’t want to even go to battle himself but was drunk in his tent while the first battle was going on. The second battle was not much better. He lost it too.

However, after the second battle he came to Ahab to make a covenant with him to spare his life. He would give him back cities that his father had taken from Israel. He would help Ahab against his future enemies. This seemed like a good plan for Ahab.

The LORD had given him a command through the prophet that was not recorded until now. HE had told him to destroy this enemy of Israel. He was to kill Ben-hadad to end the war between the two nations. He disobeyed the LORD.

During this time period in the history of Israel it was important to stop those who were hurting Israel and their worship of Jehovah with utter destruction rather than letting them live among them and cause them to drift from the LORD.

Today we are not commanded to utterly destroy those who bring false worship into our nation but we are commanded to not give them ground to work in our church community. We are to warn the people of false teachers whether they claim to be followers of Jesus Christ or not. Too often we give place to those who oppose our LORD and HIS standard. We want to be nice guys instead of good servants of the LORD.

CHALLENGE: When God declares something or someone as a false teacher or false teaching we need to make sure that we deal with it in a serious matter. A little sin leavens the whole lump. Remember we are to speak the TRUTH IN LOVE.

___________________________________________________________

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

___________________________________________________________

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Word of the LORD verse 35

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 13, 14, 28, 35, 36, 42

I am the LORD verse 13, 28

God – Elohim (Creator) verse 28

Man of God verse 28

LORD is God of the hills, but he is not the

God of the valleys verse 28

Word of the LORD verse 35

Voice of the LORD verse 36

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Benhadad – king of Syria verse 1- 12, 16- 20, 23- 34

Thirty two kings with him

Wanted Ahab’s wives and possessions

Ahab willing to give up all

He wanted more than Ahab was willing to give

Drunk

Tells soldiers to take Israelites alive

Escaped

Told by servant that fight Israel in the plains

Syrian army filled the country

Defeated by Israel a second time

Ben-hadad came to Ahab

Covenant made between him and Ahab

Appointed to utter destruction versee 42

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Greed verse 6

Mischief verse 7

False gods verse 10, 23

Drunk verse 16

Disobeyed the voice of the LORD verse 36, 42

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Prophet verse 13, 22, 35, 41

Deliverance verse 13, 28

Know the LORD verse 13

Strength verse 22

Man of God verse 28

Mercy verse 31

Covenant between Israel and Syria verse 34

Discernment verse 41

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Ahab – king of Israel verse 2- 9, 13- 41

Willing to give his family to Ben-hadad

Prophet tells him he will have victory

Smote horses and chariots

Slew the Syrians

Knew man was a prophet

Prophet told him judgment was coming

Because he let Ben-hadad go

Elders called verse 7, 8

Prophet verse 13, 22

LORD promises to deliver Israel

Told of king of Syria coming again

Army of Israel verse 13- 20, 27- 34

232 princes

7,000 soldiers

Syrians fled

Slew 100,000 Syrians

27,000 killed when wall fell on them

Certain man of the sons of the prophets verse 35- 43

Word of the LORD

Told neighbor to slay him but he wouldn’t

Lion killed neighbor

Second neighbor smote him

King of Israel came

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

__________________________________________________________________

DONATIONS:

Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org Also if you can support this ministry through your local church, please use that method. Thank you.

____________________________________________________________

QUOTES regarding passage

When Ahab passes by, the prophet acts like a common soldier who has allowed a prisoner to escape. Ahab cannot know, of course, that “the petitioner is a prophet bent on some secret mission, the appeal a ruse, the problem fictitious, the motives ulterior.” Like David in the famous Nathan scene (2 Sam 12:1–10), Ahab pronounces his own sentence (note the irony of v. 40). The prophet explains that Ahab let Ben-Hadad go when God had given him the Syrian through extraordinary circumstances, so Ahab will lose his life, a prediction that becomes a fact in 1 Kgs 22:29–40. Upon hearing his sentence, the king stalks away “sullen and angry.” This propensity for pouting (cf. 21:4) will not serve Ahab well in the last two major episodes of his life. (House, P. R. (1995). 1, 2 Kings (Vol. 8, p. 230). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

_____________________________________________________________

42. The concept of the Lord determining that a man should die (Heb. ‘the man of my ban’, cf. niv mg.) is difficult for many in our modern society to accept. The total extermination or ban (ḥērem) was a divine requirement for complete destruction of anything designated alien to God and his people (Deut. 7:2; 20:16; cf. Isa. 34:5). It is often classed as a ‘holy war’ concept, but all ancient wars were considered such (cf. the ban at Mari). The practice may derive from the fear of contagion, and God’s action cannot be condemned and Ahab’s condoned when the latter caused far greater suffering. Failure to exact this punishment would bring curse and punishment on the offender (Jones). (Wiseman, D. J. (1993). 1 and 2 Kings: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 9, pp. 192–193). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)

____________________________________________________________

20:40b–43. Ahab quickly assessed the storyteller’s guilt; this was an obvious case of negligence. As in Nathan’s story to David (2 Sam. 12:1–7) the king responded to the prophet in words that judged himself. The prophet, immediately revealing his identity, told the king he had been negligent in his responsibility to obey the order received from God to execute Ben-Hadad. Though this order is not recorded in the biblical text it is clear that Ahab had received it. Rather than obeying the Lord which probably would have resulted in a final end of the conflict with the vexing Aramean army, Ahab chose to follow his own plan. He believed Ben-Hadad’s help against Assyria would be more valuable to Israel than Ben-Hadad’s death.

Therefore, Ahab would forfeit his own life in exchange for Ben-Hadad’s (cf. 1 Kings 22:37). Also Ahab’s people, the Israelites, would die in place of Ben-Hadad’s people. Ahab returned to Samaria sullen because of this prophecy and angry (cf. 21:4) at himself as well as at God’s prophet. (Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Kings. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 531–532). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

________________________________________________________

20:42 destruction. By declaring the battles to be holy war (vv. 13, 22, 28), the Lord had put Ben-hadad and the Syrians under the ban, a reference to something belonging to the Lord and destined to be destroyed (Dt 7:2; 20:16). By freeing Ben-hadad, Ahab had disobeyed the law and would suffer the ban in place of Ben-hadad. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Ki 20:42). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

_____________________________________________________

20:35–43 Ahab condemned. Ahab’s underlying rejection of God’s will is brought to light in the strange story which follows. Once again, it involves an anonymous prophet, but probably not the same one as in vs 13–28.

In order to get his message across to Ahab, the prophet had to be wounded. A man who refused to inflict the wound was killed by a lion, his death having been predicted by the prophet as punishment for his disobedience (36). This bizarre and shocking incident recalls the story in ch. 13, where another disobedient prophet was killed by a lion. Once again, we are shown the need for strict observance of the divine word and the inevitability of its outworking. The incident, however, points forwards as well as backwards, foreshadowing the prophet’s exposure of Ahab’s disobedience and the sentence to be pronounced.

After receiving his wound from someone more obliging, the prophet posed as a soldier fresh from the battle at Aphek. He told Ahab he had allowed an Aramean prisoner to escape and the king said that the agreed punishment must be exacted. It is not clear what the removal of the bandage revealed in v 41. Did it allow Ahab to recognize a man he already knew as a prophet? (He is surely not the same prophet who features in vs 13–28, for Ahab recognized him as one of the prophets, not as ‘the prophet’.) Or did it uncover a distinguishing mark worn by the prophets of that time? (See also on 2 Ki. 2:23–25.)

The prophet’s exposure of Ahab’s sin resembles Nathan’s exposure of David’s in 2 Sa. 12. In both cases the king was guilty of a sin which he was quick to condemn in someone else. Ben-Hadad should have been executed, not released. Instead of remorse and repentance Ahab responded with resentment and anger. (Bimson, J. J. (1994). 1 and 2 Kings. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 361). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press)

______________________________________________________

When God sent King Saul to fight the Amalekites, He made it clear that He wanted the Israelites to completely destroy them (1 Sam. 15). Saul disobeyed the Lord and as a result lost his kingdom. The Lord must have given a similar command to King Ahab (v. 42), but he, too, disobeyed. Ahab won the battle but lost the victory. What the enemy couldn’t accomplish with their weapons, they accomplished with their deception. If Satan can’t succeed as the lion who devours (1 Peter 5:8), he will come as a serpent who deceives (2 Cor. 11:3). Even Joshua fell into a similar trap (Josh. 9).

Ben-hadad’s officers were clever men who knew it was worth the risk to appeal to Ahab’s pride. God had given the victory, but Ahab would take the credit and claim the spoils. In their dress and their attitude, the officers pretended to show humble submission to Ahab as he waited in his chariot (v. 33). Ahab certainly enjoyed the “honor” he was receiving after the great victory, but not once did he give the glory to the Lord. To hear that Ben-hadad was his servant made his heart glad, and he was more than willing to spare the man’s life. Later, Hazael would kill Ben-hadad and become the king (2 Kings 8).

Ben-hadad immediately entered into a treaty with Ahab and gave back to Israel the cities his father had taken (1 Kings 15:20). He also gave Ahab permission to sell Israel’s produce and wares in the market at Damascus, which amounted to a trade agreement. That the king of Israel should make such a treaty with the enemy is remarkable, but Ahab had no convictions (except those of his wife) and always took the easy way out of any situation. Furthermore, he needed the support of Aram in case the Assyrians should decide to move south. This treaty lasted three years (22:1).

The Lord couldn’t allow Ahab to disobey and get away with it, so He instructed one of the sons of the prophets to confront the king about his sin. The “sons of the prophets” were young men who had special prophetic gifts and met in groups to study with elder prophets like Samuel (1 Sam. 7:17; 28:3), Elijah, and Elisha (2 Kings 2:3–7, 16; 4:38, 40). Knowing that he would have to catch Ahab by surprise to get his attention, the man wisely set up an “action sermon” that would arouse the king’s interest. The young man told a fellow student about God’s orders and asked him to strike him with a weapon, but the man refused. We can understand a friend not wanting to injure a friend, but like Ahab, the young prophet was disobeying God, and it cost him his life. This certainly put the fear of God into the other students, because the next one the young man approached was only too willing to comply. Disguised as a wounded soldier, he was ready to deliver his message.³

In those days, a person could approach the king to help decide matters that needed legal clarification; and when Ahab saw this “injured soldier” sitting by the side of the road, his curiosity was aroused. Now we have a replay of Nathan’s approach to David after David committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12), for just as David determined his own sentence, so Ahab announced his own guilt! Hearing that the “soldier” had lost an important prisoner of war and would have to forfeit his life or pay an enormous fine (75 pounds of silver), the king replied, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it” (v. 40, nasb). The king could have granted the man a pardon and saved his life, but he preferred to let him die. But in so doing, Ahab was declaring his own guilt and passing sentence on himself!

How did Ahab recognize that the young man was one of the sons of the prophets? It’s not likely that Ahab was that close to Elijah’s followers to know them personally. When the bandage was removed, did it reveal some identifying mark? Had Ahab seen the man on Mount Carmel? We have no way of knowing, but the sight must have shocked the king. The man that Ahab judged now became Ahab’s judge and announced that one day the Syrians would slay Ahab. But instead of repenting and seeking the Lord’s forgiveness, Ahab went home and pouted like a child (v. 43; see 21:4). (Wiersbe, W. W. (2002). Be responsible (pp. 158–160). Colorado Springs, CO: Victor)

______________________________________________________

42 And he said unto him, Thus, saith the Lord, Because, thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

Quest. What was the great sin of Ahab in this action for which God so severely punisheth him? Answ. The great dishonour hereby done to God in suffering so horrid a blasphemer, ver. 23, to go unpunished, which was contrary to an express law, Lev. 24:16. Object. What is this to Ben-hadad, seeing that law concerned Israelites only? Answ. It reached both to them that were born in the land, and (as is there expressed) unto strangers that were among them, and in their power, which was Ben-hadad’s case; for God had delivered him into Ahab’s hand for his blasphemy, as he promised to do, ver. 28, by which act of his providence, especially compared with that law, it was most evident that this man was appointed by God to destruction, as is here said. But Ahab was so far from punishing this blasphemer, that he doth not so much as rebuke him, but treats him like a friend and a brother; dismisseth him upon easy terms, and takes his word for the performance, and takes not the least care for the reparation of God’s honour, but only for the amplification of his own power. Thy people for his people. Quest. Why were the people punished for Ahab’s sin? Answ. 1. Because Ahab was punished in the loss of his people. 2. The people were punished for their own sins, which were many and great; though God took this occasion to inflict it. 3. The great injury and mischief was hereby done to his own people, who by this most foolish and wicked act were exposed to all those rapines and slaughters which Ben-hadad either did commit, or might have committed, against them afterwards; of which consequently Ahab was guilty. And it must be considered that all the Israelites were the Lord’s peculiar people; nor did their apostacy from God deprive God of his right; and the kings of Israel and Judah had these committed to them, in way of trust, to be governed and protected by them. And therefore Ahab for this gross breach of his trust was justly liable, though not to the censures of his people, yet to the hand of God, who was his King and Governor. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 1, p. 709). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)

_________________________________________________________

Ver. 42. And he said unto him, thus saith the Lord, &c.] He spake not his own sense, and in his own words, but in the name of the Lord, for which he had authority, that it might have the greater weight with Ahab: because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction; meaning Benhadad; or the man of my anathema or curse; cursed of God for his blasphemy of him, and devoted by him to ruin on that account; or of my net^x, being by his providence brought into a net or noose at Aphek, out of which he could not have escaped, had not Ahab let him go: therefore thy life shall go for his life; as it shortly did, and that by the hand of a Syrian soldier, ch. 22:34, 35. and thy people for his people; which was fulfilled by Hazael king of Syria, the sins of Israel rendering them deserving of the calamities they endured by his means, see 2 Kings 8:12 and 10:32.( Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 761). London: Mathews and Leigh)

______________________________________________________________________

FROM MY READING:

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

__________________________________________________________

…. And to this day, when we come to the Lord’s Table, we are instructed to examine ourselves lest we come hypocritically to the table and bring judgment upon ourselves (I Corinthians 11: 27-32).

This is not because – as some suppose – some are unworthy of communion. None of us is worthy! Communion is not for sinless hearts; it is intended for contrite hearts. Communion is not for the sinless; it is intended for those who hate their sin. The Lord’s Table is reserved from the Lord’s people, those who have placed their trust in Christ to save them and to freely give them eternal life. (p. 89, From Ordinary to Extraordinary by John MacArthur)

___________________________________________________________

A number of years have passed between the writing of 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. During that time, Timothy has faced great trial and opposition and is in danger of discontinuing his ministry. Paul writes a terse letter of exhortation, urging strength and constancy. A list of phrases used in this book include “stir up,” “do not be ashamed,” “hold fast,” “be strong,” “endure hardship,” “be diligent, “flee youthful lusts,” “pursue righteousness,” and “preach the word!” In the heat of battle, short and powerful commands are easy to comprehend. (Quiet Walk)
__________________________________________________________

The Grace of Being Content
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1 Timothy 6:8)

The last of God’s Ten Commandments—and probably the most difficult to obey—deals with the sin of covetousness. “Thou shalt not covet . . . anything that is thy neighbour’s” (Exodus 20:17). “Take heed, and beware of covetousness” warned the Lord Jesus, “for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). This warning introduced His parable of the rich man whom God called a fool. “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).

And how does one become rich toward God? “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. . . . Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. . . . seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:20, 25, 33).

We Christians—especially in an affluent society such as ours—all too easily fall into the trap of being possessed by our possessions and may even think these possessions are somehow God’s reward for our “godliness.” But Paul says those who suppose “that gain is godliness” are “destitute of the truth.” We need to remember that in God’s sight “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:5-6). And with Paul, we should strive to be able to say sincerely that “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).

God has promised to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19) if we are faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us. Therefore, God’s Word commands: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). (HMM – Institute for Creation Research)

____________________________________________________________

An advisory board that reviews applications for federal funding for projects that use fetal tissue from aborted babies has been disbanded.

According to The Christian Post, the National Institutes of Health announced recently that the independent board would be dissolved. The board was initially established by former President Donald Trump.

Under the Trump administration, the independent ethics board reviewed applications for NIH grants.

“HHS is reversing its 2019 decision that all research applications for NIH grants and contracts proposing the use of human fetal tissue from elective abortions will be reviewed by an Ethics Advisory Board,” a statement from the group said.

The notice adds, “NIH reminds the community of expectations to obtain informed consent from the donor for any NIH-funded research using human fetal tissue … and of continued obligations to conduct such research only in accord with any applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations, including prohibitions on the payment of valuable consideration for such tissue.”

In response, the National Right to Life Committee called the change a “sickening decision by the Biden administration.”

“Tiny human babies are aborted by abortionists and then exploited to be farmed for their organs and tissue for use in experiments,” Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said in a statement. “The Biden administration and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra have dismantled the process of making researchers meet any ethical standards when it comes to harvesting the body parts of aborted children for research.”

In a statement, Reps. Suzan DelBene, Mark Pocn and Jan Schakowsky said they “applauded” the change in policy to reverse “the Trump administration’s arbitrary barriers to both extramural and intramural researchers on the use of fetal tissue in scientific research.”

Previously, the ethics board had reviewed 14 research proposals that would have used fetal tissue. The ethics board only approved one of the 14 for federal funding.

(Christian Headlines)

___________________________________________________________

John 11

After Jesus raises his close friend, Lazarus, from the dead, many believe in Him.

INSIGHT

Jesus was ministering on the east side of the Jordan River, about a day’s walk from Bethany, when Lazarus fell sick. Messengers were sent to tell Jesus, who waited two days before returning to Bethany. He found that Lazarus had been dead for four days, apparently having died the same day the messengers were dispatched. So Lazarus was dead by the time Jesus learned about his illness.

Why, then, did Jesus delay His return for two days? Jesus knew Lazarus’ condition. His delay was to heighten the manifestation of the power of God. Jesus called, “Lazarus, come forth!” And Lazarus came forth. The result of this miracle? Many of the Jews believed in Him, and the Son of God was glorified. (Quiet Walk)

__________________________________________________

THE CROSS IS AN INVITATION

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 45:22
The cross is an invitation…”the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Abel’s blood has no invitation in it. Abel’s blood cries out for retribution, for punishment; there is no invitation there to anybody, except to the wrath of a holy God. But in this other blood “that speaketh better things than that of Abel,” there is a word of invitation. And from your standpoint and mine, looking at it very practically, there is nothing more wonderful about the cross than this. We know that the cross is a historical event. It is a setting forth in public of this great act of God. But thank God it does not stop there. It is an appeal; it is an invitation; it asks us to listen as we value our own immortal souls.
You know the Old Testament prophets had seen something of this. But they had not seen it very clearly. They were not meant to, and they could not see so far off. They saw something of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that was to follow, but they had not seen this. One of them, at the height of his prophetic inspiration, put what he saw into the mouth of the Messiah that was to come when he said, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22). “Look unto me.” It is an invitation. That is not only proclamation—that is an invitation. “Look unto me”!
I like the way the apostle Paul puts it in Ephesians 2. It is so wonderful. He says, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances…that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross” (verses 14-16).
A Thought to Ponder
The cross is an appeal; it is an invitation; it asks us to listen as we value our own immortal souls. (From The Cross, pp. 164-165, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

__________________________________________________________

God Is Holy
“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)
The awesome vision of the throne that God gave Isaiah included a short description of the seraphims. They stood above the throne announcing, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). They are cited again in Revelation 4:8 constantly saying, “Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
Apparently, the holiness of God is all-consuming.
Both the Hebrew and Greek words for “holy” used in Scripture are strong descriptions of separateness, a dedicated detachment from all else. “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy” (Revelation 15:4). “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).
It is this absolute and unique transcendence that sets the Creator of the universe above and beyond all others: “For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:9). Although there are “gods many, and lords many” (1 Corinthians 8:5), and the “desperately wicked” heart of man (Jeremiah 17:9) twists the “glory of the uncorruptible God” (Romans 1:23) into every vile image possible, “Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Since God is holy, you and I can trust Him without reservation or doubt. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Since God is holy, we can be totally confident that our souls are secure in God, “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

__________________________________________________________

In 2020, an outbreak of the coronavirus left the world in fear. People were quarantined, countries were put under lockdown, flights and large events were canceled. Those living in areas with no known cases still feared they might get the virus. Graham Davey, an expert in anxiety, believes that negative news broadcasts are “likely to make you sadder and more anxious.” A meme that circulated on social media showed a man watching the news on TV, and he asked how to stop worrying. In response, another person in the room reached over and flipped off the TV, suggesting that the answer might be a shift in focus!

Luke 12 gives us some advice to help us stop worrying: “Seek his kingdom” (v. 31). We seek God’s kingdom when we focus on the promise that His followers have an inheritance in heaven. When we face difficulty, we can shift our focus and remember that God sees us and knows our needs (vv. 24–30).

Jesus encourages His disciples: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (v. 32). God enjoys blessing us! Let’s worship Him, knowing He cares for us more than the birds of the air and the flowers of the field (vv. 22–29). Even in difficult times, we can read the Scriptures, pray for God’s peace, and trust in our good and faithful God. By Julie Schwab (Our Daily Bread)

___________________________________________________________

THE CROSS IS A MIGHTY DECLARATION

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
Romans 3:25
The cross is a mighty declaration. And what it says is this: The Son is a propitiation. In other words, God on the cross was punishing sin. He said that he would, and He has done it.
God has always said that sin is to be punished, that His holy wrath is upon it, and that He cannot deal with sin in any other terms. And He has done exactly what He promised. On the cross He is doing it publicly. There He is, once and for all, at the central point of history, pouring out His wrath upon the sins of man in the body of His own Son. He is striking Him; He is smiting Him; He is condemning Him to death. Christ dies, and His blood speaks. It is God’s punishment of sin and evil. It is a mighty declaration that God has done what He has always said He would do—namely, that He would punish sin, and the wages of sin is death. And there you see it happening upon the cross. It is an announcement, a proclamation, that this is God’s way of dealing with the problem of sin.
I hasten to say this. It is obviously the only way to deal with sin, and the cross says that.
There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heaven and let us in.
Mrs. C. F. Alexander

It is not surprising that the gospel of the cross and the blood of Christ has produced some of the greatest poetry the world has ever known.
A Thought to Ponder
The cross is an announcement, a proclamation, that this is God’s way of dealing with the problem of sin.
(From The Cross, pp. 163-164.(Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

__________________________________________________________

GRACE IS WHEN

God gives us good things that we don’t deserve.

Mercy is when He spares us from the bad things we deserve

Blessings are when He is generous with both.

Truly, we can never run out of reasons to thank HIM.

God is good all the time.

Thanks Stephen S.

___________________________________________________________

We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.