1 Kings 20
McGeeCHAPTER 20THEME: Israel is attacked by SyriaRemember that this event occurs during the time the kingdom of Israel is divided. The ten northern tribes bear the name of Israel. Because of the repeated sin of both king and people, God is permitting their enemies to attack them. However, again God is gracious and gives them opportunity to repent and return to Him. In this chapter God delivers Israel, though pitifully outnumbered, from the mighty army of Syria.
1 Kings 20:1
AHAB’S FIRST SYRIAN CAMPAIGN AND HIS VICTORYGod is now permitting the enemy to come in from the outside. Up to this time God had not permitted it at all. We are told, however, that God promised victory even to Ahab.
1 Kings 20:13
The promise of God’s deliverance in this situation was not based upon Ahab’s fidelity but on God’s love for His people. God gave this man an opportunity to change. We hear a great deal today about lost opportunities and about opportunity knocking only once at the door of every man. I think opportunity stands at the door and keeps knocking. Now Ahab was promised a victory, and God gave him a great victory over the Syrians.
1 Kings 20:22
AHAB’S SECOND SYRIAN CAMPAIGN AND HIS REBUKE FOR SPARING BEN-HADAD’S LIFEGod was telling Ahab, “I have given you a victory now, but you be careful that you don’t return to the worship of Baal. I have demonstrated that I am your Godthe living God. The king of Syria is going to come against you again at the return of the year.” It was not the end of the struggle; Ben-hadad was going to renew his effort to defeat Israel. This is a very vivid picture.
1 Kings 20:27
Once again God gave Ahab victory over the enemy, but unfortunately, Ahab made the mistake of sparing Ben-hadad’s life.
1 Kings 20:34
Ahab was told to eliminate the enemy, but he did not obey. There can be no compromise, friend, with sin. God never permits that, and that is exactly what Ahab had done.
1 Kings 20:42
Why is it today that judges are so lenient with criminals? It is because they have a guilt complex themselves, my friend. They feel guilty themselves, and they know they are sinners. It is almost like pointing the finger at themselves to convict someone else. It is very hard for one sinner to judge another sinner. This was the case with Ahabthat is why he spared Ben-hadad’s life.