The Verses
1-21 Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria
The scene shifts dramatically in chapter 20. God had told Elijah at Mt. Horeb that judgment was coming on Ahab. The anointing of Jehu was an announcement of the end of Ahab's reign. Chapter 20 describes the historical process that God began to use to bring about the end of Ahab's dynasty.
The king of Syria (Aram), Ben-hadad, laid siege to Ahab's capital of Samaria. Ahab is forced to pay tribute and it appears as if the entire kingdom might be lost.
Yet a prophet of God offers Ahab the opportunity to experience grace one more time. When Ahab responded positively, God gave the Syrian army into his hands and Israel won a great battle.
However, Ben-hadad was allowed to escape, and so further trouble lay in the future. Ahab failed to obey God by sparing Benhadad.
21-34 Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad
Ahab got his counseling from a prophet, Ben-Hadad from his servants.
It appears that Ahab had ignored the prophet's counsel, and Israel was not prepared for battle; their army was small. In a picturesque comment, the author of 1 Kings compared Israel's small army to two little flocks of goats dotting the hillside.
On the other hand, the Aramean army filled the whole country. As before there appears to be no military hope for Israel.
35-42 A Prophet Condemns Ahab. The judgment of God is pronounced upon Ahab (v. 42). God had wanted Ahab to punish Benhadad. Instead, Ahab made an agreement with him. This showed that he did not trust God.
As a result, Ahab died in a battle against the soldiers from Syria. Later the soldiers from Syria attacked the nation and it suffered greatly.
God is fair when he punishes people for their sins. Nobody will be able to say that He is not.
Sin is the basic problem with man. The realization of sin starts with an understanding of who God is: the Mighty, Sovereign, Righteous God of all that is.
When we understand His righteousness, we begin to see how depraved we are and how much in need of a Savior we are.
It is when we realize our depravity that we understand our need to repent.
Repentance is the beginning of salvation.
Salvation is the result of trusting in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection.
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