A Prophet Condemns Ahab
[ READ ] 1 Kings 20:35–43
A Prophet Condemns Ben-hadad's Release
35 And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow at the command of the Lord, “Strike me, please.” But the man refused to strike him. 36 Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as you have gone from me, a lion shall strike you down.” And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion met him and struck him down. 37 Then he found another man and said, “Strike me, please.” And the man struck him—struck him and wounded him. 38 So the prophet departed and waited for the king by the way, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes. 39 And as the king passed, he cried to the king and said, “Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and behold, a soldier turned and brought a man to me and said, ‘Guard this man; if by any means he is missing, your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver.’ 40 And as your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” The king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.” 41 Then he hurried to take the bandage away from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets. 42 And he 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.’” 43 And the king of Israel went to his house vexed and sullen and came to Samaria.
35 And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow at the command of the Lord, “Strike me, please.” But the man refused to strike him. 36 Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as you have gone from me, a lion shall strike you down.” And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion met him and struck him down. 37 Then he found another man and said, “Strike me, please.” And the man struck him—struck him and wounded him. 38 So the prophet departed and waited for the king by the way, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes. 39 And as the king passed, he cried to the king and said, “Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and behold, a soldier turned and brought a man to me and said, ‘Guard this man; if by any means he is missing, your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver.’ 40 And as your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” The king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.” 41 Then he hurried to take the bandage away from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets. 42 And he 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.’” 43 And the king of Israel went to his house vexed and sullen and came to Samaria.
The context of this unusual passage is important. Earlier in this chapter, Ahab thought he had been merciful by sparing Ben-Hadad. Though not explicitly recorded before this passage, we can infer from verse 42 that Ahab was not to spare Ben-Hadad. In fact, Ahab treated the prophet disguised as a wounded servant injured in battle with no compassion — especially as compared with his unauthorized mercy he showed to his adversary.
This passage moves us to reflect on obedience to the Lord and the cost of disobedience — particularly when we clearly understand His will generally (i.e., immutable scriptural principles) or his specific direction to us as made known by the Holy Spirit.
- Jason Rimmer
This passage moves us to reflect on obedience to the Lord and the cost of disobedience — particularly when we clearly understand His will generally (i.e., immutable scriptural principles) or his specific direction to us as made known by the Holy Spirit.
- Jason Rimmer
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ When was a time that I was disobedient to what I knew to be God’s will? What have I learned since then?
+ When was a time that I was disobedient to what I knew to be God’s will? What have I learned since then?
[ 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?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, grant that I might truly obey you as Lord and Master and be ever mindful of my role as loving servant. Tune my heart to heed your call. Remind me that your way is the right way. Grant me wisdom and faith. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, grant that I might truly obey you as Lord and Master and be ever mindful of my role as loving servant. Tune my heart to heed your call. Remind me that your way is the right way. Grant me wisdom and faith. 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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