Israel Defeats Ben-Hadad
[ READ ] 1 Kings 20:1–21
Ahab's Wars with Syria
1 Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. Thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and closed in on Samaria and fought against it. 2 And he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad: 3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your best wives and children also are mine.’” 4 And the king of Israel answered, “As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have.” 5 The messengers came again and said, “Thus says Ben-hadad: ‘I sent to you, saying, “Deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children.” 6 Nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants and lay hands on whatever pleases you and take it away.’”
7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble, for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.” 8 And all the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.” 9 So he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you first demanded of your servant I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’” And the messengers departed and brought him word again. 10 Ben-hadad sent to him and said, “The gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me.” 11 And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’” 12 When Ben-hadad heard this message as he was drinking with the kings in the booths, he said to his men, “Take your positions.” And they took their positions against the city.
Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad
13 And behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel and said, “Thus says the Lord, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will give it into your hand this day, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” 14 And Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Thus says the Lord, By the servants of the governors of the districts.” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” 15 Then he mustered the servants of the governors of the districts, and they were 232. And after them he mustered all the people of Israel, seven thousand.
16 And they went out at noon, while Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the thirty-two kings who helped him. 17 The servants of the governors of the districts went out first. And Ben-hadad sent out scouts, and they reported to him, “Men are coming out from Samaria.” 18 He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive. Or if they have come out for war, take them alive.”
19 So these went out of the city, the servants of the governors of the districts and the army that followed them. 20 And each struck down his man. The Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them, but Ben-hadad king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen. 21 And the king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots, and struck the Syrians with a great blow.
1 Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. Thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and closed in on Samaria and fought against it. 2 And he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad: 3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your best wives and children also are mine.’” 4 And the king of Israel answered, “As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have.” 5 The messengers came again and said, “Thus says Ben-hadad: ‘I sent to you, saying, “Deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children.” 6 Nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants and lay hands on whatever pleases you and take it away.’”
7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble, for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.” 8 And all the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.” 9 So he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you first demanded of your servant I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’” And the messengers departed and brought him word again. 10 Ben-hadad sent to him and said, “The gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me.” 11 And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’” 12 When Ben-hadad heard this message as he was drinking with the kings in the booths, he said to his men, “Take your positions.” And they took their positions against the city.
Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad
13 And behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel and said, “Thus says the Lord, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will give it into your hand this day, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” 14 And Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Thus says the Lord, By the servants of the governors of the districts.” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” 15 Then he mustered the servants of the governors of the districts, and they were 232. And after them he mustered all the people of Israel, seven thousand.
16 And they went out at noon, while Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the thirty-two kings who helped him. 17 The servants of the governors of the districts went out first. And Ben-hadad sent out scouts, and they reported to him, “Men are coming out from Samaria.” 18 He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive. Or if they have come out for war, take them alive.”
19 So these went out of the city, the servants of the governors of the districts and the army that followed them. 20 And each struck down his man. The Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them, but Ben-hadad king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen. 21 And the king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots, and struck the Syrians with a great blow.
Decades after the division of Israel into separate kingdoms, Ahab, one of Israel’s most wicked kings, rules the northern kingdom from Samaria. Baal worship flourishes under his reign, leading Israel further into idolatry.
In 1 Kings 20, the king of neighboring Aram (Syria) assembles a coalition of 32 kings, replete with horses and chariots, and besieges Samaria. Ben-hadad then demands that Ahab deliver his silver and gold, and wives and children, to Ben-hadad. Ahad initially submits, but when Ben-hadad demands the right to plunder the city, Ahab refuses. Israel appears powerless against the Syrian forces.
But then the Lord sends a prophet to Ahab with an extraordinary promise: He will deliver the vast Syrian army into Israel’s hands, declaring His purpose: “...and you shall know that I am the Lord". (v13).
This victory will reveal God’s sovereign power and mercy toward an undeserving king and nation. Israel launches its attack on Ben-hadad while he and his cohorts are drunk. The Syrians flee.
The victory belongs not to Israel’s military strength, but to the Lord, who delivered to Ahab exactly what He promised.
God’s mercy upon an undeserving king and nation points us to the greater deliverance accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as God acted graciously toward His unfaithful people, He continues to rescue sinners through His Son.
- Jenna Connor
In 1 Kings 20, the king of neighboring Aram (Syria) assembles a coalition of 32 kings, replete with horses and chariots, and besieges Samaria. Ben-hadad then demands that Ahab deliver his silver and gold, and wives and children, to Ben-hadad. Ahad initially submits, but when Ben-hadad demands the right to plunder the city, Ahab refuses. Israel appears powerless against the Syrian forces.
But then the Lord sends a prophet to Ahab with an extraordinary promise: He will deliver the vast Syrian army into Israel’s hands, declaring His purpose: “...and you shall know that I am the Lord". (v13).
This victory will reveal God’s sovereign power and mercy toward an undeserving king and nation. Israel launches its attack on Ben-hadad while he and his cohorts are drunk. The Syrians flee.
The victory belongs not to Israel’s military strength, but to the Lord, who delivered to Ahab exactly what He promised.
God’s mercy upon an undeserving king and nation points us to the greater deliverance accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as God acted graciously toward His unfaithful people, He continues to rescue sinners through His Son.
- Jenna Connor
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ What does God’s decision to deliver Israel -despite Ahab’s wickedness- reveal about His character?
+ According to vs.13, what was God’s ultimate purpose in delivering Israel from the Syrians?
+ What does God’s decision to deliver Israel -despite Ahab’s wickedness- reveal about His character?
+ According to vs.13, what was God’s ultimate purpose in delivering Israel from the Syrians?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where and when are you tempted to rely on your own strength, rather than trusting in the sovereign power of God?
+ How does remembering God’s grace is undeserved deepen your gratitude for what Christ has accomplished on your behalf?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where and when are you tempted to rely on your own strength, rather than trusting in the sovereign power of God?
+ How does remembering God’s grace is undeserved deepen your gratitude for what Christ has accomplished on your behalf?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you for your sovereign power and the undeserved mercy you shower upon us! Forgive us when we trust in our own strength rather than in You. Thank you for revealing Your love and grace to us though your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has granted us the Salvation we could never earn on our own. May our lives be a testimony to you and your Son, and reflect our trust in You Alone. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you for your sovereign power and the undeserved mercy you shower upon us! Forgive us when we trust in our own strength rather than in You. Thank you for revealing Your love and grace to us though your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has granted us the Salvation we could never earn on our own. May our lives be a testimony to you and your Son, and reflect our trust in You Alone. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/find-a-group)
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/find-a-group)
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
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