April 29, 2024

Benhadad, the king of Syria, went up against Samaria and then sent word to Ahab that he was going to take all his gold and silver and his wives and children. Ahab agreed, but when it came time to hand them over, he changed his mind. While drunk, Benhadad told his men to set themselves against the city. A brave prophet of the Lord came to Ahab and said to him that he would successfully defeat Benhadad with only a few young men, 232. Ahab, being a Baal worshipper, wanted to know who sent him. 

And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. 1 Kings 20:13

At the hand of the Lord, Syria was defeated, but they promised they would be back, but this time on flat ground instead of the mountains because they didn’t think God would be there. God, wanting to show them who he was, used Israel to defeat them there, too. Even in Israel’s sin, God was able to show his power. Ahab, being an idiot, made nice with Benhadad, calling him his brother, meaning the brotherhood of kings, and let him go. God was none too happy about that.

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. 1 Kings 20:42

This passage of scripture shows that obedience to God is an essential part of our life as believers and the key to victory against our enemies and necessary for peace with God.