May 18, 2024

As we saw in my blog yesterday, Jehu, anointed king by a young prophet sent by Elisha, tasked himself to rid Israel of all Ahab's descendants. However, Ahab had seventy sons! He devised a plan and sent a letter to their caretakers to put one of them on the throne and fight against him. They refused because they were scared. So he sent another letter telling them that since they refused to make one of them king, they had one day to deliver Ahab's son's heads to him. These people were pathetic and complied to save their own skin. Remember, these people were Baal worshippers, so you know without a doubt that they cannot be trusted. We have these same kinds of worshippers in Hollywood, sports, and politics. If it's on television, you know they've made a deal with the devil and cannot be trusted. Elijah's prophecy about Ahab's lineage being destroyed came true that day. However, that was just the beginning of Jehu's task to rid Israel of Baal worship; he now focused on the worshippers! He enlisted the help of Jehonadab, a good man of God, someone he could trust. 

To convince the people, he told them a lie, saying he was more of a Baal worshipper than Ahab. He called them all together for a solemn assembly for Baal and posted guards outside. Once he made sure none of God's worshippers were there, he had them slaughtered. Jehu destroyed all the idols and temples of Baal. Even though he did good and removed everything associated with Baal, he still didn't follow God's law and worshipped the golden calf. 

Is the United States coming to a Jehu moment? Could we be nearing the end and the return of Christ? Like Jehu, God will sort us out and save us from evil, like separating the wheat from the weeds. If this text teaches us anything, it is not to trust anyone as a friend but a true believer in Christ. Friends of the enemy are no friends at all! They have aligned themselves with evil.

The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. Psalms 58:10

And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. 2 Kings 10:30

May 17, 2024

Elisha was getting old, so he sent one of the younger prophets to Jehu, a captain in the army, to anoint him king over Israel. He instructed him to do this out of the sight of others and then get out of there fast. Jehu knew he had to eliminate the house of Ahab and Jezebel. After telling the other captains that the prophet anointed him to become king of Israel, they announced it to the others and set out to Jezreel. When they came to Jezreel, Joram, king of Israel, and Ahaziah, king of Judah, went out to meet Jehu, each in his chariot, and asked if he came in peace. Jehu told Joram that there was no peace as long as his mother Jezebel, and her witchcraft was still alive. Joram fled to Ahaziah and told him it was treason; that’s when Jehu shot an arrow through his heart and killed him. Jehu went after Ahaziah and had him shot, and he fled to Megiddo and died there. 

Now, what we’ve all been waiting for! Remember Elijah saying that Jezebel would die and the dogs would eat her? Jehu saw Jezebel looking out the window and asked who was on his side, and two or three eunuchs answered. He told them to throw her down, and her blood splattered on the wall, and the dogs ate her. Jehu was going to have her buried because she was the daughter of a king, but there was nothing left of her except her skull, feet, and the palms of her hands. There was no memorial for her, but she would become dung in the field. 

What’s the lesson? Do not dishonor God by delving into witchcraft or other sorcery. Stay free from evil and trust only in the Lord.

And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. 2 Kings 9:37 

May 16, 2024

To confuse things, Ahab and Jehoshaphat named their children the same names! It has taken me a couple of days of reading this scripture to finally figure it out, likely only because of the Holy Spirit and some help from Matthew Henry's commentary. 

Joram, Ahab's son, reigned in Israel when Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram, was made king of Judah. Jehoram was as bad as the kings of Israel, really bad, probably because Ahab's daughter was his wife! We have to be careful of who becomes the mothers of our children; they have a lot of influence on how a child is raised and what they become as adults. God didn't destroy them because he had promised David he would always have a successor until the kingship ended with Jesus, the one and only true King and a light forever. David had subdued the Edomites, but Jehoram stirred them up by trying to destroy them, but they revolted and became the enemy of Judah forever, even to this day. 

Jehoram's son, Ahaziah, succeeded him. Having Ahab's daughter as a mother, he was doomed to follow in the footsteps of Ahab.  Joram, king of Israel, teamed up with Ahaziah to fight against Hazael, king of Syria, at Ramoth-Gilead. Ahaziah was wounded in battle and went back to Jezreel to recover. Joram went and visited him—two evil kings consulting together. Even Jesus had evil in his "lineage." He was related to Ahab! Good people can come from bad people; Jesus exemplifies this truth. 

Jesus’ lineage in Matthew:

and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, Matthew 1:8 ESV. 

And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. 2 Kings 8:16

May 15, 2024

Benhadad, the king of Syria, was sick and wanted to know if he would recover. So, he sent his right-hand man, Hazael, with forty camels loaded with provisions, to ask Elisha about his fate. He told Hazael that he would recover but would surely die, and Elisha began to weep because God also told him Hazael would become king and would hurt the men, women, and children of Israel. Back in 1 Kings 19, Elijah appointed Hazael king over Syria. God’s prophecies are falling into place. Hazael went back to the king and told him he would recover. However, he suffocated him with a wet rag and began to reign over Syria. We might see Benhadad again because he seemed to trust God and made Elisha his oracle. After all, he knew of the healing of Naaman. Remember Naaman? He was leprous, and Elisha told him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. He did what Elisha told him to do, and God healed him. 

This account of Benhadad, who was once Elisha’s enemy, now called him a man of God and sought healing, such as Naaman, while no longer trusting in his idols. Sickness will sometimes bring people who otherwise would continue in their evil ways to their knees and seek the prayer and counsel of the godly. If an unbeliever asks you to pray for them, pray. It could mean the difference between them going to heaven or hell because for them to ask means they are seeking God’s intervention with a tiny amount of trust. 

And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 2 Kings 8:8

May 14, 2024

The Lord had told Elisha that there would be famine in the land for seven years, so he warned the Shunammite woman to leave the country until it was over. When she returned, other people had taken over her house and land. She cried to the king, and it just so happened that right before she called on the king for help, Gehazi, who had served Elisha, had told the king all the wonderful things Elisha had done, including raising the Shunammite woman’s son from the dead. The Shunammite confirmed that the son with her was the one he brought back to life. The king then restored her land and gave her back all the money it had earned while she was gone. 

Can you imagine doing everything God told you to do only to find out that others had taken away all you owned? But, through the king, God restored everything the Shunammite had and more. We can be sure that when we submit to God as she did, though the enemy tries to devour us, God will restore what we had and give us more. I can testify that this is true, and the recovery is more than I could ever ask for or imagine. Share your testimony so others can see and believe. God is so good. 

And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 2 Kings 8:2

May 13, 2024

The army of Syria's encampment had cut off Samaria from the outside world, causing famine within the city. Elisha told them their hunger was about to end and the price of flour and barley, would become affordable. The king's right-hand man didn't believe him, so Elisha told him he would see it with his eyes but not taste it. It was nightfall, and four lepers, outside the city gate because it was the law that they stay away, were bantering among themselves that if they entered the city, they would die of hunger. Still, if they stayed outside, they would be at the mercy of the army of Syria. They decided they would take their chances with the army; if they die, they die because they would die one way or the other. When they approached the camp, they found it empty, except the army had left all their belonging: the horses, donkeys, food, gold, and silver. God had caused sounds of horses and chariots in the night to spook them, thinking Samaria had hired the king of Egypt or Hittites to help them, and they fled. When the four lepers found the camp empty, they entered the tents, ate, and began plundering them. However, they began to feel guilty about their actions and sent word to the king. He was hesitant at first, thinking it was a trap, but eventually found out it was true. He sent his right-hand man to coordinate the plundering; he saw the food but was trampled by the people and died, thus making Elisha's prediction about him come true. 

Elisha was God's spokesman, and the man knew it and should have believed him. Many people will see the goodness of God through Jesus but will never enter God's kingdom because of their unbelief. Strengthen your faith and walk in God's way, sealing your eternal life in Jesus.

Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. 2 Kings 7:1 

May 12, 2024

Benhadad, king of Syria, had his army surround Samaria and caused famine there. One mother came to another mother, each having a son, and told her that if they ate her son today, they could eat her son tomorrow. The woman said yes, and they ate him. The next day came, and the other woman hid her son. The woman, whose son was eaten, cried to the king about the unfairness, and he tore his clothes in despair. Then he sent a messenger to cut off Elisha's head. He failed.

The government was quick to blame Elisha, the servant of God, for their despair rather than look upon themselves as the villain for not denouncing their worship of false gods and idols. They were so wicked that they didn't bat an eye at eating another human. Sick! Today, who does the government blame for their misfortune? Us! The Christians. Know this: we are not the villains for following Jesus. Hold tight to your convictions; we may be okay now, but things could get rough. Trust God in all situations; He will help us get through it.

This occurrence was a prophecy foretold in Deuteronomy 28, that came true.

Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day. 2 Kings 6:31

May 11, 2024

Elisha had warned the king of Israel more than once about the plans of the king of Syria, enabling him to save himself. The Syrian king didn’t understand how Israel’s king always knew his plans, and one of his advisers mentioned that Elisha counseled the king. So he sent spies to find out where Elisha was and then sent his army to surround him at night. Elisha’s helper was up early, saw the encampment, and ran to Elisha, gripped with fear. However, Elisha could see God’s angel army surrounding them, but to calm the concerns of the helper, he prayed that God would open his eyes to see the horses and chariots of fire stationed in the mountains. 

On the other hand, he prayed that the eyes of the enemy soldiers would be blinded, confusing them. Elisha could then lead them to Samaria, right into the hands of the king of Israel. The king wanted to slaughter them, but Elisha reminded him that they were more like prisoners of war and that he should feed them and send them back to Syria. 

This story is one of my favorites because it is encouraging when facing trouble. God so dearly loves us that he will surround our enemy to keep us safe. There are forces of good and evil all around us, even though we cannot see them. Remember, only one-third of the angels were cast out of heaven with the devil to earth, leaving two-thirds to protect us. When someone is weak and fearing their trouble, remind them of the troops of angels protecting us from the enemy. Also, ensure you heed any warnings of impending danger when God makes you aware; otherwise, the consequences are on you. 

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

May 10, 2024

Many prophets were drawn to Elisha, and the more that came to seek his counsel, prayer, and education, the less room they had. So, they decided to go to Jordan to get wood and build a new place there, and Elisha was encouraged to come with them. While cutting the timbers, one of the prophets lost the head of his axe in the river and was distraught because he had borrowed it. These men were God's vessels but were not afraid to work, though most probably didn't have a shed full of tools. So Elisha asked him where it fell, placed a stick in the water near it, and it floated to the surface. Incredible! 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, but can I make an axe head float? Do we need those kinds of miracles today? It would be exciting to see, but we have the account of our resurrected Savior, Jesus, and all his miracles to read about. The miracle that we must be content with is salvation and our slate wiped clean of all our sins, affording the ability to live peacefully with Jesus forever. I wouldn't mind seeing something miraculous happen today, but I'm not placing all my hope in such things. My hope lies with Jesus and him alone.

And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. 2 Kings 6:6

May 9, 2024

Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man, but he had leprosy. His wife had a young servant girl who was captured out of Israel on one of their raids. She mentioned to Naaman’s wife that a prophet of God in Samaria could heal his leprosy. So Naaman sent a letter to the king of Israel, along with silver, gold, and clothing, asking him to allow the prophet to heal him. The king was frightened that Naaman might want to start a war if Elisha couldn’t heal him and tore his clothes. However, Elisha heard about Naaman and told the king to send him so he would know there was a prophet in Israel. Naaman came to the door of Elisha’s house, and Elisha sent him a message to go to the Jordan and wash seven times. It irritated Naaman that Elisha didn’t come to the door and pronounce his healing, only to tell him to go and wash. He left there aggravated, but one of his servants reminded him that he would have done it if he had told him to do something more grand. So Naaman gave in, went to the Jordan River, dipped in it seven times, and came up clean and healed. He then went to Elisha, trying to pay him, but Elisha refused. However, after Naaman left, Gehazi, Elisha’s helper, decided to go after him and tell him Elisha changed his mind and asked him for silver and clothing. Elisha, being a prophet, knew what he had done and pronounced that he and his children would take on Naaman’s leprosy. Gehazi walked away white with the disease. 

What a lesson! Should we get paid for what God has done? Elisha gave Naaman God’s instructions; he was a vessel that God used to prove His might. God collects the payment and takes all the credit for His mercy. Be cautious when trying to profit off God—shame on those who derive fame and fortune from God’s goodness and mercy. 

And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 2 Kings 5:26

May 8, 2024

During a famine, Elisha visited a school of prophets in Gilgal. He was probably doing some training. They prepared a meal for about one hundred men. However, whoever was responsible for gathering the herbs and other food for the pot had picked something poisonous. Remember, these men were mostly known for their knowledge of God but probably didn't know much about plants. Someone took one bite of the stew and immediately knew it was terrible. Elisha threw a little meal into the pot, and it became edible. Then another man brought twenty loaves of barley bread and full ears of corn, and all one hundred of them ate and were satisfied. Doesn't that sound familiar? Remember Jesus with the loaves and fish? When God provides for you, he blesses and provides enough to satisfy you. In the middle of a famine, God's children ate. I imagine the stew became delicious after Elisha miraculously corrected it. I'm sure the bread and corn were perfect because it was an offering that the Levites were allowed to eat. 

And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD. 2 Kings 4:43-44

May 7, 2024

When the Shunemite’s son was older, he went to his dad in the field with the reapers; he cried, telling him he had a severe headache. He had a young man take him back to his mother. She held him in her lap, and he died. She laid him in Elisha’s bed and sent for a donkey so she could go and get Elisha to come to her home. There’s no mention that she told her husband of his death. Her faith was so strong that she knew with Elisha’s help, he would live again. When the woman got near to Elisha at Mount Carmel, he saw her in the distance and sent Gehazi to find out if everything was okay with her family. What I found interesting is that she told him that all was well. However, when she got to Elisha, she broke down. Elisha was surprised that God hadn’t revealed to him the condition of her son. Elisha sent Gehazi ahead to lay his staff upon the child, but that didn’t work. So Elisha went through a similar routine as Elijah did when he raised a child from the dead, laying on him to warm him with his body. Life returned to the boy, and he sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. 

This woman had impeccable strength and faith, knowing God would raise her son from the dead. Undoubtedly, she had heard the story about Elijah raising a woman’s son from the dead, which gave her confidence that He would do the same for her. We must share our testimony of the grace and mercy that God has shown us. Your story will make a difference, so share it as often as possible.

Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 2 Kings 4:35

May 6, 2024

Elisha must have passed through Shunem quite often for the Shunemite woman to notice. She asked her husband if they could make accommodations for him so he would have his own space when passing through their town. He agreed, so they made him a room upstairs with a bed, a table, and a chair. Elisha was grateful for their kindness and wanted to do something nice for them. He asked Gehazi, his servant, what he could do for them, and he reminded him that her husband was old and they didn’t have a son. So, Elisha told the woman that at the same time next year, she would have a son. God fulfilled his prophecy, and she had a son.

This woman’s hospitality to Elisha opened the door for a blessing from God. She didn’t ask for it, but being barren in those days was considered a curse. It also shows that we cannot outgive God. She offered kindness to Elisha, and God returned to her a blessing that only God could give. We can count on God to bless us beyond measure, even when we don’t ask. 

And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. 2 Kings 4:17

May 5, 2024

The widow of a prophet came to Elisha for help; her husband had died and owed debts, and his lenders would soon come to collect her sons to be their bond servants for seven years. He was a good man and was likely one of the seven thousand who hadn't bowed down to Baal. Being a prophet living during the time of Jezebel couldn't have been easy, which is most likely why he had debt. Elisha told the woman to go and borrow containers from her neighbors, close the door behind her and her sons, and pour what little oil she had into those containers. Every vessel was filled with oil, giving her an abundance to sell and pay off her husband's debt and provide a living for her and her sons. She had likely sold everything she had to pay off the debt, giving a reason she needed to borrow the containers. Pay attention to what happened; she didn't just sit back and watch Elisha fill those jars with oil. No, she and her sons were actively involved and grew a business with what little God had given them. They worked. Not only did they fill the jars, but they also had to find a way to sell the oil, just like any business today. Don't expect God to bless you while sitting around doing nothing; he expects our participation in whatever capacity we have. 

A spiritual comparison is the filling of the Holy Spirit, often presented Biblically as oil. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we were an empty vessel, and God filled us with his Spirit to overflow. He anoints our heads with oil, and our cup overflows. 

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. 2 Kings 4:6-7

May 4, 2024

Jehoram, the son of Ahab, became king after his death. He was not as evil as Ahab. However, he started a war with Moab and enlisted the help of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah and the king of Edom. Together, they sought after Elisha so he could enquire of God about going to war with Moab. I found it interesting that when Elisha called on the Lord, he used a musical instrument, just as some of today’s prophets use. I’m sure this scripture is where that came from.

But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. 2 Kings 3:15

There was no water for their people or cattle in Moab, so Elisha told them that no rain would come, but water would come up from the ground. They followed all Elisha’s instructions from God and overcame Moab. The death toll was so bad that the king of Moab offered his son, the next in line for the throne, as a burnt offering to their god, Chemosh, to obtain his favor. Chemosh is nothing more than the devil himself, who delights in blood sacrifices. Look at the United States' trouble because of the prenatal sacrifices. The devil is fighting hard against us because true Christians want to do what’s right in the eyes of the Lord. 

May 3, 2024

When you eat of the scriptures of God, the belly gets full. The story in 2 Kings 2 is a tasty morsel that is delightful and delicious, like honey to the lips. In this chapter, Elijah is taken to heaven by God in a whirlwind and transported in a chariot of fire. However, before that mighty miracle happened, Elijah tried to shake Elisha by encouraging him to stay rather than follow him. Knowing that God intended to take Elijah that day, Elisha was determined to stick with him like glue to see him taken up. After visiting the prophets in the different cities, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him, and in Godly fashion, he asked for a double portion of his spirit. Elijah told him that if he saw him translated, his request would be granted. God took Elijah up, and his mantle dropped. Elisha, being heartbroken, tore his clothes in mourning. And just as promised, he was given a double portion. As confirmation, he was able to part the waters of the Jordan with the touch of the mantle, just as Elijah had done earlier that day. 

As one of his first miracles, Elisha healed the waters of Jericho by pouring salt into the spring. In those days, the people of the towns hated the prophets, probably because they pointed out their sins, and when they would come into town, they would mock them. That happened to Elisha when he was on the way to Bethel, and it didn’t end very well for those people. The children playing in the streets began jeering and making fun of Elisha’s baldness, which wasn’t a great idea when the man was full of God’s powerful spirit. Elisha cursed them, and two bears came out of the forest and killed forty children. It seems sad, but I’ll bet those parents learned a lesson about making fun of a man's appearance! 

As children of God, he is on our side. Let no man of evil try to touch us; God will not stand for it and will punish them. Do not take part in such things.

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2:11

May 2, 2024

Ahaziah, the king of Israel, fell through the lattice on the second story of his house and was critically hurt. He sent a messenger to the god of Ekron, Baalzebub, to find out if he would live. Elijah intercepted him and told him Ahaziah was going to die. Ahaziah, thinking he could control Elijah, sent a captain and fifty men to bring him to see him, but Elijah wasn’t having it and called fire down from heaven and killed them all! Ahaziah sent another captain and fifty men, and Elijah did the same to them. Ahaziah sent a third captain and fifty men, but this captain asked Elijah to spare his life and the lives of the fifty, and an angel of the Lord told Elijah not to be afraid to go with him. Elijah told Ahaziah the same thing he had told the messenger, and Ahaziah died shortly after.

And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. 2 Kings 1:16

Can you imagine if God gave us the kind of power he gave Elijah? There would be dead people all over the place, especially when driving in heavy traffic. While reading this, I wondered about having this kind of power because we have the same Holy Spirit as Elijah. God answered my question quickly and reminded me that we live under the new covenant of grace. Do you remember when James and John, Jesus’s disciples, wanted to call down fire from heaven like Elijah? They were mad that the Samaritans rejected Jesus. Here is how he answered them:

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. Luke 9:55-56

May 1, 2024

Ahab, king of Israel, got together with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to go and fight against Syria to regain control over Ramoth-Gilead. Before they ventured off to war, Jehoshaphat wanted to ask the Lord to ensure it was the right thing to do. So Ahab called all his “prophets” together, who always told him what his itchy ears wanted to hear, and they said to him to go up to Ramoth-Gilead and prosper. Knowing they were not prophets of the Lord, Jehoshaphat asked him if there were any of the Lord’s prophets to enquire of. Jehoshaphat told him there was one, but he always prophesied against him. So they called for Micaiah, and he came. Michaiah told them to go to Ramoth-Gilead and prosper, but the king knew he was lying. So, Michaiah told him the truth and shared his vision. In his vision, he saw all the people of Israel scattered about with no leader. He continued saying that he saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the hosts of heaven on his right and left, and the Lord said, “Who shall persuade Ahab that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead?” And a lying spirit came forward and said he could do it. Michaiah told the king that the Lord had put a lying spirit in these prophets. Zedekiah, one of the “prophets,” smacked him on the cheek, and the king had Michaiah sent to prison.  There is so much more to this story, but Ahab ended up getting injured, bleeding all over his chariot, and dying in battle. When they brought him back to Samaria in his chariot, the dogs licked up his blood while they were cleaning it. All the prophecies of the Lord came true. 

What struck me the most about this scripture is the lying spirit that came before the throne of God, volunteering to enter into the “prophets” to cause Ahab to believe them. Then God tells him the truth through Michaiah, and he assaults him and throws him in jail. They didn’t want to hear the truth back then, much like today. The people telling the truth get called conspiracy theorists and get abused by everyone. You must learn how God works and listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit so you don’t die on the battlefield like Ahab. The only absolute truth you will hear is the Word of God. Pay close attention. 

And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. 1 Kings 22:20-21

April 30, 2024

Naboth had a vineyard and garden next to King Ahab’s house in Samaria, and Ahab wanted Naboth to either sell it to him or exchange it for another one somewhere else. However, he didn’t want to break the law by selling his inheritance. Ahab left his meeting with Naboth depressed, and Jezebel asked him about his sadness, so he told her about Nabath turning him down about the vineyard. Jezebel, being wicked, used the law and some unscrupulous people to wrongfully accuse him and had him killed so she could take his vineyard and give it to Ahab. When Ahab went to claim his vineyard, Elijah met him there to admonish him for having Naboth killed and told him the dogs would lick his blood there and that Jezebel would die and the dogs would eat her by the wall in Jezreel. Ahab repented, tore his clothes, and begged forgiveness. God, being the loving God he is, put off his death sentence and had mercy upon him for the time being.

We wonder why wicked people get away with murder and other crimes and then seem to prosper more than others; it’s likely because they sometimes have remorse for their sins, and God gives them another chance like he did Ahab. Ahab has been reprieved from justice for now because of his repentance. I read ahead to the next chapter, and it seems God served Ahab the justice he deserved, and every word of Elijah’s prophecy about Ahab was fulfilled. God doesn’t let evil go unpunished. If you have been wronged, wait for it; justice will be served, and God will make it happen. 

And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house. 1 Kings 21:28-29

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.