Tag Archives: 1 Kings 20-22

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April 27, 2024 Bible Study — Ahab Listened to the Advice He Wanted to Hear, Even When He Knew God Had a Different Message for Him

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Today, I am reading and commenting on  1 Kings 20-22.

Like yesterday, there are more things I would enjoy writing about in today’s passage than I have time to go into.  Today I am going to write about what happened when King Ahab invited King Jehoshaphat of Judah in going to war to reclaim Ramoth Gilead from Aram.  Jehoshaphat was agreeable, but asked Ahab to seek the Lord’s counsel first.  So, Ahab summoned about 400 prophets.  Now this is an amazingly similar number to the number of the prophets of Baal whom Elijah challenged on Mount Carmel.  Which leads me to believe that these were also prophets of Baal.  This idea is supported by the fact that after these 400 prophets told Ahab the Lord would give Ramoth Gilead into his hands, Jehoshaphat asked if there wasn’t a prophet of the Lord whom they could consult.  So, Ahab reluctantly summoned Micaiah in order to consult what God told him.  The messenger whom Ahab sent to Micaiah told him that all of the other prophets had told Ahab that he would be successful, and Micaiah should be sure to say the same thing.  So, Micaiah told Ahab the same thing all of the other prophets said.  Ahab immediately realized that when Micaiah said that, it was not what God had told him.

I could go on to summarize the rest of the story, but that gets us to what I want to write about today.  First, Ahab tried to pass off the prophets of Baal as being prophets of God.  He pretended like he didn’t know there was a difference between Baal and God.  Yet when Jehoshaphat pushed the issue, he acknowledged that he did indeed know the difference.  Then when Micaiah told Ahab what he had been told to say, which was the same as what the other prophets had told him, Ahab knew he wasn’t giving a truthful answer.  Which tells us that Ahab knew the prophets of Baal were only telling him what he wanted to hear, and that he knew that God had a different message for him.   Yet, despite knowing that, Ahab chose to follow the message which the prophets of Baal gave him, to his on detriment.  Do we listen to the advice that is merely what we want to hear, when we know God has a different message for us?

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

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April 27, 2023 Bible Study — King Ahab Showed More Care For a Foreign Leader Than For His Own People

Today, I am reading and commenting on  1 Kings 20-22.

Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, made war against King Ahab.  He besieged Samaria and demanded tribute from King Ahab.  When King Ahab acceded to his demands, Ben-Hadad increased them to demand that Ahab allow his soldiers to loot the city.  King Ahab resisted this latter demand and defeated Ben-Hadad’s forces.  The following year, Ben-Hadad attacked Israel again.  This time, King Ahab not only defeated Ben-Hadad’s forces, he captured Ben-Hadad.  Despite Ben-Hadad’s repeated unprovoked attacks on Israel, Ahab treated him as a friend and made a treaty with him.  We see here that Ahab had more fellow-feeling with the ruler of his nation’s enemy than he did for his own people.  In a similar manner, King Saul had spared the life of the king of the Amalekites after he defeated them.  Again and again, we see that those who rise to leadership positions in one nation make common cause with the leaders of other nations, against the interests of their own people.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

April 27, 2022 Bible Study — Mistaking Worship Of Baal For Worship of Yahweh

Today, I am reading and commenting on  1 Kings 20-22.

Since I have no idea where I am going with today’s blog, I will start by noting that there appear to have been four prophets of God mentioned in this passage: two anonymously, and two by name.  First, we have the anonymous prophet who offered King Ahab the predictions of his victories over Ben-Haddad.  Then we have the anonymous prophet who condemned King Ahab for entering into a treaty with Ben-Haddad after defeating him instead of killing him.   Followed by Elijah re-appearing and condemning King Ahab for allowing his wife, Jezebel, to have Naboth killed so that King Ahab could claim Naboth’s vineyard.  Finally, we have Micaiah, who predicted King Ahab’s death in battle against the king of Aram.

The thing that strikes me about the story involving Micaiah is the way in which King Ahab attempts to substitute prophets of Baal for a prophet of God…and how King Jehoshaphat completely dismisses them as prophets of God.   Further, the prophets of Baal presented themselves as prophets of God, or, more precisely as interchangeable with prophets of God.  From reading this, it seems to me that the worshipers of Baal claimed that Baal was just another name for Yahweh.  It would follow from this that they claimed that their worship of Baal was just another way of worshiping Yahweh.  When pushed on the issue, people like King Ahab knew full well that Baal was not the same as Yahweh, but he liked what the prophets of Baal told him better than what the prophets of Yahweh told him.  Perhaps of most interest, we learn from this passage that the prophets of Baal appear to have considered themselves to be worshiping the same God as the prophets of Yahweh.  Also of note, the prophets of Baal outnumbered the prophets of Yahweh.  In the same way today, there are many who believe they are teaching about God, who are in fact calling on people to worship false gods.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

April 27, 2021 Bible Study Arrogance And Refusal To Acknowledge God’s Power Leads To Defeat

Today, I am reading and commenting on  1 Kings 20-22.

There are many lessons we can learn from reading the account of Ben-Hadad’s assaults on Israel given here.  First we see that Ben-Hadad got himself into trouble because he overreached.  King Ahab and the people of Samaria were willing to give tribute to Ben-Hadad rather than risk fighting against his army.  However, when Ben-Hadad increased his demand to allow his troops to sack the city, the people of Samaria decided to fight.  Ben-Hadad demonstrates his over confidence several more times in ways which led to his defeat.  Then, Ben-Hadad and his advisers made the mistake of thinking their defeat was because God was a god of the hills and that they could defeat Israel in the plains.  And once again they suffered defeat.  This second defeat occurred for two reasons, two closely related reasons. Ben-Hadad and his advisers refused to accept that their first defeat resulted from their own mistakes, mistakes which were caused by their arrogance.  This led them to their second mistake.  Since their first defeat could not possibly have been their own fault, it must have resulted from the power of the God of Israel.  That could have been the start of wisdom.  However, they concluded that God was limited and they could outmaneuver Him.  God’s power is not limited and He caused them to repeat their mistake.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

April 27, 2020 Bible Study — Some Leaders Are Willing to Make Common Cause With the Leaders of Their People’s Enemies

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 20-22.

There are multiple things about the attacks by King Ben-Hadad of Aram on Samaria and King Ahab that provide us with useful life lessons.  By this point, we know that King Ahab did not serve God, not even a little bit.  However, after Ben-Hadad was defeated the first time he chose to attack again.  The second time, he based his strategy on the idea that God was geographically limited.  God proved that he was mistaken.  But what I want to focus on is what happened after that second battle.  When King Ahab’s forces captured Ben-Hadad after the battle, he was happy to learn that his enemy survived.  This was not the happiness of a man who did not want to see anyone die (see his later reaction to the death of Naboth).  No, King Ahab was happy because he viewed Ben-Hadad and himself as part of a group which was above, and better then, the common people.  King Ahab viewed himself and Ben-Hadad as members of the elite, those who should be treated differently from the common people.  Despite the fact that Ben-Hadad would happily cause misery and death for those for whom King Ahab was responsible, King Ahab wanted to see Ben-Hadad treated well.  Later, when King Ahab went to war with Aram to regain a city Ben-Hadad had taken from him, we learn that Ben-Hadad did not return this feeling.  We often see leaders today with the same attitude as King Ahab had here towards leaders of other countries who have the attitude of King Ben-Hadad.

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April 27, 2019 Bible Study — God Works In Israel When Ahab Was King

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 20-22.

King Ben-Hadad of Aram mustered his army and demanded tribute from Ahab. When King Ahab agreed to pay the tribute initially demanded, King Ben-haddad demanded to be allowed to loot the city. This latter demand was too much for King Ahab and his advisers. A prophet of God advised King Ahab on how to take Ben-Hadad’s forces off guard. King Ahab followed the advice and defeated Ben-Hadad. Ben-Hadad’s advisers convinced him that they had lost because God was a god of the hills and if they attacked again but stayed on the plains they would win. On this second occasion the Israelite army was vastly outnumbered, but was still able to gain the victory.. King Ben-Hadad believed that God was limited by geography and paid the price. Our God is not limited to the hills or the plains. Wherever we need His aid He is able to rescue us.

When Naboth refused to sell King Ahab his vineyard, King Ahab threw a temper tantrum until his wife, Jezebel, arranged for Naboth to be killed. Then later, when Jehoshaphat asked that they consult a prophet of God, King Ahab did not want to do so because he did not like what the prophet told him. I want to point out some similarities between these tow incidents. In the first story, despite the fact that King Ahab did not give the orders for Naboth’s death, God held him accountable. When Elijah confronted Ahab with God’s judgement, Ahab humbled himself and begged forgiveness. In the second story, King Ahab initially “misinterpreted” Jehoshaphat’s request and consulted his prophets of Baal. In both stories, when Ahab was pushed he recognized God’s sovereignty. In the first story, when King Ahab did not get his way, he threw a temper tantrum. In the second story, when King Ahab did not want to consult the prophet because he did not like what he told him, King Jehoshaphat called him out on it. In both cases King Ahab acted childishly. In the first stroy Jezebel coddled him and rewarded him for his behavior. In the second story, Jehoshaphat confronted him and made him do what was right. When our friends act like Ahab, we should strive to be like Jehoshaphat and not like Jezebel.

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April 27, 2018 Bible Study — Leadership Mistakes

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 20-22.

    The first part of this passage reminds me, somewhat, of modern Israel. The Arameans (Syrians, more or less) mustered their army and an overwhelming number of allies to attack Israel. When the Israelites agreed to their initial demands, the Arameans increased their demands. When the Israelites refused their increased demands, the Arameans bosted about how they would destroy the city completely. In response the Israelites attacked and the Aramean army was routed. However, the Arameans decided that they had only lost because God was a god of the hills and that He would not be able to aid the Israelites on the plains. So, they rebuilt their army and attacked again the following year. Once again, the Israelite army routed the Arameans. But rather than execute Ben-Hadad, King Ahab ransomed him, thus leaving him to be a threat to the nation of Israel going forward. Except possibly for that last bit, this reminds me of how the Arab nations surrounding the modern nation of Israel attacked Israel and were (are?) convinced that their defeat was just a question of tactics and did not reflect the hand of God protecting His people.

    King Ahab’s actions regarding Naboth’s vineyard and his reaction to the idea of consulting Micaiah the prophet both reflect an unwillingness to take responsibility. When Naboth refused to sell his vineyard to King Ahab, Ahab threw a temper tantrum and sulked until Jezebel promised to make it better. Then when Jehoshaphat asked that they consult a true prophet of God, Ahab said that he hated the only option because he never told Ahab what he wanted to hear. These represent two different, but related failures of leadership. In the first case, Ahab was both unwilling to accept being refused but wanted to avoid responsibility by having someone else do the dirty work. Although it is worth noting that when confronted Ahab behaved repentant. The second example shows an unwillingness to listen to advice from those he knew would not just tell him what he wanted to hear.

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April 27, 2017 Bible Study — It Ends Badly When We Go Against God

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 20-22.

    The story of Ben-hadad is a perfect example of the dangers of overreach. Ahab was willing to meet his initial demands of tribute to give up his siege of Samaria. When he heard this, Ben-hadad increased his demand. Perhaps because he felt that if Ahab capitulated that easily he would be willing to give up more, or perhaps because he never expected Ahab to meet his first demand and wanted an excuse to attack. In either case, he had overplayed his hand. The whole story reflects the dangers of hubris. Having lost the battle this first time, Ben-hadad decided that he had only lost because God was a god of the hills. This was taking hubris even further. Not only did Ben-hadad underestimate his human opponents, he dismissed God’s ability to act where and when He wanted.

    Later, Ahab wanted to retake a town he had lost to Ben-hadad in these wars. When he asked Jehoshaphat to join him in this war, Jehoshaphat asked that they find out what God had to say. In response, Ahab summoned his 400 prophets. The similarity of this number to the number at the contest with Elijah on Mt Carmel suggests that these were prophets of Baal. Jehoshaphat certainly thinks something along that line because he asks for a prophet of God.* Ahab does not want to summon the prophet because Ahab never wants to abide by what he prophesies. Jehoshaphat tells Ahab that such a response is not how a king should act. After all of this, despite the prophet of God prophesying that Ahab would die if he went to this war, Ahab and Jehoshaphat go. Ahab thinks he knows how to “beat” God’s prophecy by going into battle dressed as a common soldier. By doing so, he avoids the attacks targeted for him as king, but falls victim to a random shot taken at the troops.
    When I started the above paragraph I really meant for it to connect to the story of Ben-hadad from the first paragraph, but it just did not work out that way. My point was that in both stories, the king, Ben-hadad and then Ahab, thought he could go against God and win.

    Now I want to go back and look at the middle of today’s passage. When Elijah confronted Ahab about what Jezebel had done to Naboth in Ahab’s name, which Ahab had been happy to take advantage of to get what he wanted, Ahab called Elijah his enemy. Previously, Ahab had called Elijah a troublemaker. In both cases this is an example of “blaming the messenger”. It was Ahab who had sinned and Elijah was delivering God’s message. Despite his initial dismissive reaction to Elijah, Ahab was repentant and humble upon hearing Elijah’s message. It was a start, but being sorry and mourning for having done wrong is not sufficient. Ahab refused to change his ways and turn from his idolatry. How often do we behave similarly?

*I want to note that every time I can think of when God sends a message through a prophet that prophet appears as a single individual, not as part of a group of prophets.

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April 27, 2016 Bible Study — Eminent Domain and The Rule of Law

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading. I had been using One Year Bible Online, but it was time for a change.

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Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 20-22.

    The king of Aram, Ben-Hadad, attacked Israel and laid siege to Samaria. He demanded that King Ahab pay him tribute. Ahab agreed to pay the tribute, but then Ben-Hadad demanded to be allowed to loot the city. This was too much for King Ahab and his advisers, who decided to fight. The Israelites were victorious. Ben-Hadad and his advisers were convinced that they lost because God was a god of the hills and that they could defeat the Israelites if they fought them on the plains. Despite the fact that Ben-Hadad’s army vastly outnumbered the army of Israel, God gave them victory. God is not limited to hills, or plains, the city, or the countryside. No matter where our enemies confront us, God is able to give us victory.

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    When I read the story of Naboth and his vineyard I was reminded of the discussions about eminent domain that have come up this election year. King Ahab thought that he could put Naboth’s vineyard to better use. So he offered Naboth a more than fair price. However, Naboth was not interested in parting with his vineyard for any price. Personally, I would have taken the deal, but the vineyard had sentimental value to Naboth and he was unwilling to part with it. Ahab was heartbroken at Naboth’s refusal because Israel was a land of laws. However, Jezebel used Ahab’s power to get Naboth killed so that Ahab could take his vineyard. Ahab was initially pleased to gain the vineyard for his own. However, when confronted by Elijah Ahab recognized that he had done wrong. We are told that Ahab sold himself to evil more completely than anyone else, yet even so he recognized and repented of the evil he had done here by rejecting the idea that the same law applied to himself as to the common man.