Jehoshaphat’s Reign

I Kings 22:41-46

“And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.  Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.   
   
And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.” (I Kings 22:41-43) 

Asa had been a very good king over Judah, following God’s commands and trusting God to defeat the Ethiopian and Libyan  alliance.  Unfortunately, when he became older, he began to put his faith in human power rather than God.  His son Jehoshaphat followed his example in serving God.  Though he reigned for twenty five years, he was never able to completely stop people from secretly worshipping nature in the high places.  II Chronicles 17 describes the tenor of his reign.

“And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.  And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 

And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.  Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.  And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. 

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.  And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.  And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. “ (II Chronicles 17:1-9)

Not only did Jehoshaphat serve the Lord himself, he spent a great deal of effort making sure the people knew what God said, sending a group out to teach throughout the nation.  God blessed his efforts in mighty way, with the people going out of their way to do things for him in appreciation.

“And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.  Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.  And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.  And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.” (II Chronicles 17:10-13)

Because he was so blessed of God, other countries didn’t dare attack him, and some traditional enemies such as the Philistines actively sought assurances of peace.  The Arabs brought him huge flocks of sheep and goats as a token of good will.  He built large fortresses throughout the land, and the economy flourished., with large warehouses to keep surplus food for emergencies.

"And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.  And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.  And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.  And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.  And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.  These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.” (II Chronicles 17:14-19)

Besides building castles and warehouses for food throughout the land. Jehoshaphat established a million man army based in Jerusalem.  They were able to respond to any threat in a timely manner.

“And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.” (I Kings 22:44) 

Like the other kings, Ahab saw how God was blessing Jehoshaphat and made a treaty with him.  It was that treaty that led Ahab to ask Jehoshaphat to help in recovering Ramothgilead from the Syrians, as II Chronicles 18:1-2 describes.  “Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.  And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.”

Because Jehoshaphat put making peace ahead of standing for what was right, God was upset with him according to II Chronicles 19:2-3.  “And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.  Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.”

“Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?” (I Kings 22:45)

Jehoshaphat made a concerted effort to turn Judah back completely to serving God.  In addition to sending teams of leaders and Levites to teach them about God, he established local judges to uphold the law, reminding them that they were accountable to God for their decisions.

“And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers. 

And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,  And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.  Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. 

Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.  And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.  And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.  And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.” (II Chronicles 19:4-11)

A Supreme court or court of appeals was established at Jerusalem to reconcile difference between God’s law and governmental decisions, and to settle disagreements over which laws were to be applied in different situations.

“And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.” (I Kings 22:46) 

While he was never able to completely eradicate secret worship of nature and the high places, Jehoshaphat was able to eradicate the homosexuals that his father had been unable to get rid of.

Ignoring What God Said

I Kings 22:17-40

“And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. 

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?” (I Kings 22:17-18)

Micaiah had been advised to tell Ahab and Jehoshaphat the same things the four hundred prophets who worked for Ahab had said.  When he did, Ahab knew that wasn’t what God said because as II Corinthians 6:14-16 reminds us, God and other religions never agree.  “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?”  He demanded, “How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?”

Micaiah responded that in his vision, he saw Israel scattered out like a flock of sheep no one was watching and heard God say that they had no leader.  As a result each one should just go home.  This was exactly the kind of thing Ahab had expected and he had avoided asking because he didn’t want to hear it.  Micaiah wasn’t finished yet.

“And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.  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. 

And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 

Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” (I Kings 22:19-23)

In his vision, Micaiah saw the Lord asking who could convince Ahab to go up and fight Syria so he could be destroyed as Elijah had warned him in I Kings 20:42.  After some discussion one of the spirits(angels) said he could do it by going and telling all Ahab’s hired prophets they should go.  Since Ahab would choose not to listen to anyone else, the Lord said that would work.  The plan was followed and that is why all the prophets had said the same thing.

“But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.” (I Kings 22:24-25)

The leader of the prophets then accused Micaiah of lying, implying that it was the spirit Micaiah described who was directing him.  Micaiah said the the validity of his prophecy would be demonstrated when Ahab was dead and they were all looking for a place to get away from the Syrians.  Deuteronomy 18:22 tells us, “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

“And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. 

And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.” (I Kings 22:26-28) 

Ahab ordered that Micaiah be held hostage to keep God from allowing him to be killed.  Micaiah said God wouldn’t be blackmailed, and that if he came back victorious, it would prove that Micaiah had lied and not been speaking God’s word.

“So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.  And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.” (I Kings 22:19-30)

Despite Micaiah’s warning, both Ahab and Jehoshaphat went to fight at Ramothgilead.  Fearing that perhaps holding Micaiah hostage wouldn’t deter God, Ahab decided to disguise himself so no one would know who he was and he wouldn‘t be as much of a target.  He asked Jehoshaphat to wear his robe so they would think he was Ahab, and Jehoshaphat went along with it.    

“But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.  And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.  And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.” (I Kings 22:31-33)

Ahab had allowed Benhadad to go free when he had the opportunity to kill him, but Benhadad did not appreciate it.  His only concern was to kill Ahab.  In fact he gave orders to find him and kill him.  When they saw Jehoshaphat dressed as king they took the bait and attacked him, only stopping when the realized it wasn’t Ahab.  By agreeing to Ahab’s request, Jehoshaphat put his own life at risk.

Later  God would rebuke Jehoshaphat for even trying to help Ahab, in II Chronicles 19:2.  “And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.” Ephessians 5:11-12 commands, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”

By trying to help Ahab, Jehoshaphat was placing his approval on his behavior and enabling him to keep on.  He had heard what God said about it and still went along.  It almost cost him his life, and brought God’s judgment on him.  It is a serious warning to us.

“And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

“And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.” (I Kings 22:34-35) 

God was not deceived at all by Ahab’s efforts to disguise himself.  A Syrian archer just shot at random, and God directed his arrow so that it struck between the metal plates of Ahab’s armor and inflicted a serious wound so that he had to pull back and have it treated.  He had them prop him up and stayed in the battle with blood pooling around feet, finally dying of his wound that evening.

“And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country. 

So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.  And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.” (I Kings 22:36-38)

When Ahab died, the entire army was sent home, and Ahab’s body was taken back to Samaria in his chariot.  They washed out the blood in the same place where Naboth had been executed, exactly as Elijah had prophesied.  Micaiah’s prophecy was also fulfilled as well.

“Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?  So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.” (I Kings 22:39-40)

Getting Another Opinion

I Kings 22:1-16

“And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.  And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 

And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?  And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead?” (I Kings 22:1-4a)

In the last battle with Israel, Benhadad had lost a hundred twenty seven thousand men and had himself been forced to surrender.  He had agreed to return all the land Syria had taken in exchange for his life and  Syria being allowed to remain a free country.   Three years later, he had not kept his promise, hanging on to Ramoth Gilead.

When Jehoshaphat, King of Judah came down to meet with Ahab, he brought up Syria’s refusal to turn over Ramoth Gilead as the treaty specified.  He asked Jehoshaphat if he would be willing to help them take it back.

“And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.  And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.” (I Kings 22:4b-5)

Though they had been enemies for years, they were both Jews, and Jehoshaphat’s immediate response was to agree to go and help set those other Jews free of Syria.  After he thought about it, he realized they hadn’t asked God what he wanted and asked Ahab to see what God said.

“Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.” (I Kings 22:6)

Ahab had gotten rid of most of the prophets of God because they wouldn’t agree with him, appointing men who agreed with him to serve as prophets instead.   When Ahab asked this group of advisors they all told him it would turn out just the way Ahab wanted it.  Sadly, our president and Congress does very much the same thing, choosing only advisors who will say what they want to hear.

“And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him? 

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. 

And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.” (I kings 22:7-9)

Jehoshaphat recognized the dangers of using only advisors who are depend on your approval for advice.  He asked if there was not a prophet of God, who had no vested interest in saying what Ahab wanted to hear.

Ahab acknowledged that there was one, but that he hated him because he never agreed with him, always warning that what he proposed was going to turn out badly.  His response was much like President Obama’s comment this past week when asked if there was any possibility of working with the Republicans to get some laws passed.  He was quoted as saying there were some he could work with because they were smart and agreed with him but most of them weren’t that smart, and he couldn’t work with them.

Jehoshaphat didn’t think they should dismiss an opposing viewpoint so lightly, but should at least consider their reasons.  After all, even Ahab could make a mistake.  Since he needed Jehoshaphat’s support, Ahab agreed to at least let the other side present their case.

“And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.  And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand.” (I Kings 22:10-12)

While they waited for Micaiah to arrive, Ahab’s advisors did everything the could to convince Jehoshaphat that Ahab’s plan was what God wanted and the best possible solution.  They had a hearing in which Ahab’s “experts” testified using various demonstrations to reinforce their statements and fix them more firmly in mind.

“And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. 

And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.  So he came to the king. “ (I Kings 22:13-15a)

While he wasn’t offered a bribe, it was made very clear that if Micaiah would testify like the other prophets, he would be better off.  In our capitol it would have amounted to a veiled warning that the he would be investigated by the IRS or secrets leaked to the news media if he didn’t go along.  Micaiah refused to bow to the pressure.

"And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear?

 And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. 

And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?” (I Kings 22:15b-16)

When Ahab asked whether they should go, Micaiah told them they’d surely win since all the other prophets said so.  Ahab knew instantly that Micaiah didn‘t really believe what he said and demanded to know what God really said.  Obviously, he suspected it was not God’s will, especially after Elijah’s statement in I Kings 20:42. “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.” There was no doubt that Elijah knew what God said.

A key feature of making wise decisions is accurately assessing both the benefits and risks of a course of action.   Every action we take has potential bad results. Which need to be considered.  When people oppose a plan, it is wise to find out why, because they may have information we don’t.

Being Too Accommodating

I Kings 20:29-43

“And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.  But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left.” (I Kings 20:29-30a)

The Syrians had been sure God would not have much power out on the plains.  When the battle was joined Israel killed a hundred thousand infantrymen that day.  The survivors took refuge inside the city of Aphek, taking defensive positions on the wall.  One of the walls collapsed, killing twenty seven thousand men and leaving one side unprotected.

"And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.  And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.” (I Kings 20:30b-31)

Benhadad was terrified.  He took refuge in a room with no outer doors surrounded by his guards.  His advisors told him that Israel had a reputation for mercy and that if they would apologize there was a good chance they would save his life.

“So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. 

And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. 

Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it: and they said, Thy brother Benhadad. 

Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Benhadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.” (I Kings 20:32-33) 

Benhadad’s advisors went out of their way to indicate they were sorry for what they had done and to ask that Ahab not kill Benhadad.  Syria was larger and more powerful than Israel, and Ahab didn’t want to be a bad sport.  He asked how he was and referred to him as his brother, like they were good buddies.  He totally ignored the fact that had the Syrians won, they intended to take over Israel, and probably kill him.  He could demand whatever he wanted because he had defeated them.

Benhadad’s advisors were quick to catch Ahab’s comment and capitalize on it, playing on his comment about being brothers.  He asked to see him and when he came invited him into his chariot as an honored guest rather than a defeated enemy.

“And Benhadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. 

Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.” (I Kings 20:34) 

Benhadad agreed to return the land they had taken from Israel, and to allow Israel to establish a community in Damascus like his father had set up in Samaria.  Ahab agreed to accept this and they made a treaty, after which Benhadad returned to Damascus.

“And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. 

And the man refused to smite him.  Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.” (I Kings 20:35-36)

Receiving a message from God, one of the prophets asked his neighbor to hit him as a sign.  The neighbor refused, because he didn’t feel it was right to hurt the prophet of God, and the prophet warned him that because he refused to obey God, he would be killed by a lion.  A short time later he was killed as prophesied.  We ought to obey God, even when it goes against our conscience or cultural standards.  Failure to do so leaves us disobeying God.  We may not know what God’s plans are.

“Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.  So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.

“And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.  And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone.

 And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.” (I Kings 20:37-40) 

The second man obeyed God, smiting and injuring the prophet.  The prophet then waited along the way for the king.  When Ahab came by the prophet told him a story that during the battle he’d been injured, and that a man brought him a prisoner.  He had agreed to keep the prisoner, and that his life would be forfeit if I the prisoner escaped.  He’d gotten busy and the prisoner had escaped and now he wanted Ahab to keep him from being killed for letting him get away.

Ahab declared that he had agreed to the terms, and that now he must live up to them even though it wasn’t what he wanted.  It is what Numbers 30:2 specified.  “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”  A man was not to break his promise even when things didn’t turn out the way he expected them to.  Hardship was not an excuse.

“And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets. 

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.  And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.” (I Kings 20:41-43)

Once Ahab had rendered his judgment, The prophet revealed his identity and pointed out what Ahab had done in making the treaty.  Charged by God with protecting Israel by destroying Benhadad, Ahab signed a treaty and allowed him to get away free.  Just as Ahab had said the prophet should be held to account for his failure, Ahab would be held accountable for allowing Benhadad to go free.  Being such a nice forgiving person contrary to God’s will would cost him his life and his people.  Ahab was pretty upset by the prophecy.  Three years later, Ahab would be killed by the Syrian army.  A few years later, in II Kings 6, Benhadad would besiege Samaria, resulting in starvation for many.   Obviously his sorrow was only the result of fear of death.

While Christians are to be willing to forgive, they are not expected to ignore sin.  Both Matthew 18 and I Corinthians 5 insist that people be held accountable for sin.  I Corinthians 7 says that if a woman is forced to leave her husband, she is free not to go back if she chooses.  We need to seek God’s leadership, not blindly try to be such a forgiving person.  It is too easy for a person to just say they’re sorry with no indication of repentance.

John the Baptist recognized this in Matthew 3:7-8.  “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”  

Only a changed attitude indicates real repentance.  A changed attitude does not necessarily insure that a person won’t occasionally repeat the offense, but it is not deliberate.  This is the idea behind Luke 17:3-4.  “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”  It is not that we just have to ignore his sin.  To do so only means we’ll have to deal with it again.

Actions Have Consequences

I Kings 21:17-29

“And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.

And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.” (I Kings 21:17-19) 

Jezebel had been told that her scheme had been completed and had told Ahab that Naboth was dead and he could take Naboth’s vineyard.   Ahab didn’t want to know the details, he just went down to take it over.  Like many political leaders he assumed that no one would ever really know what had happened, especially since it happened in Jezreel instead of Samaria.  It would look as if it was an action by the leaders of Jezreel rather than by Ahab.  Since he hadn’t personally ordered Naboth’s death he didn’t think he was guilty.

God had known all along what was happening, and he told Elijah to go down and meet him at Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel taking possession and probably gloating about having gotten it.  He was to deliver a message from God.

While Ahab hadn’t personally ordered Naboth’s death, he had allowed Jezebel to act in his name and had then taken advantage of what she had done, to take possession.  While he might not know all the details, he had to be pretty sure she was behind the murder

Numbers 35:30-34 commands, “Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.  Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.  And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.  So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.  Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.”

By ignoring her action and those of the leaders in Jezreel, he was violating Numbers 35:30-34 for his own gain.  He was making himself an accessory after the fact.  As a result of his sin, he would be killed and the dogs would lick up his blood in the same place where they licked up that of Naboth.

While we are not to just be tattle tales, when we ignore sin, we become accessories.  We have a responsibility to intervene and see that justice is done.  Real justice requires that the injured party be recompensed for the harm he has suffered, not just that a punishment was meted out.

“And Ahab said to Elijah, hast thou found me, O mine enemy? 

And he answered, I have found thee; because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD. 

Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.

And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.  Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.” (I Kings 21:20-24)

People with guilty consciences tend to view those who are doing right as their enemy, and that was Ahab’s reaction. He accused Elijah of being his enemy and looking for him.  Elijah declared that he had come to find him because he had set out to do evil against God.

As a result God would eliminate future generations of his family, and every man in th family would be killed.  Ultimately, Ahab’s family would be like that of Jeroboam and Baasha, with no survivors.  It was going to happen because Ahab had rebelled against God, and because not only had he done wrong, he had caused others to do so as well.

Jezebel herself would eaten by the dogs publicly in the city of Jezreel where she had Naboth killed.  Like Jeroboam’s family, nobody would even bother to bury Ahab’s descendants.

“But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.  And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.” (I Kings 21:25-26) 

We are reminded that God’s judgment was so severe because Ahab deliberately did evil.  While Jezebel encouraged him to do worse than he otherwise would have, it was his decision to do those things.  He was capable of not doing them if he had chosen not to.  He did so simply to gain what he wanted.

“And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. 

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.” (I Kings 21:27-29)

When Ahab heard the warning, he changed his behavior and was less overtly wicked, although there is no indication of actual repentance.  As a result, God delayed implementing some of those judgments, until his son became king, but they were not stopped.

Every action we take affects future events, not only for us, but also for those around us. Even just cutting back on things that are wrong can delay some of the consequences, although it will not take them away.  Unfortunately, instead of looking to see what has been done to cause these effects, people tend to blame God for them happening.  It is not his fault, Although we seem to have forgotten the principles of cause and effect.

Framing Naboth

I Kings 21:1-16

“And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 

And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. 

And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.” (I Kings 21:1-3)

Jahab’s father, Omri, had built the city of Samaria as the capitol but for time Jezreel had been the capitol, and Ahab still had a pal;ace there.   Close to his palace was a vinyard belonging to Naboth, one of the local men.  Ahab thought it would make him a nice family garden and asked naboth to trade it for a better piece of land or to buy it at the going rate.

Naboth refused to sell because the land had been given to their family at God’s instruction in Joshua’s day, about seven hundred years before.  Years had been spent planting and growing the trees and vines that provided his family’s living and Naboth had no desire to start over.  He was well within his rights to take that position.

Under the law, a family could never give up title to a piece of land.  They could sell the right to use it, what we know as a lease, for what ever time remained until the year of Jubilee, but at that time it automatically reverted to the original owners.  If at any time they chose to resume use of their land, they could do so by simply paying off what still remained of the lease term on a prorated basis.  Leviticus 25:23-28 is the relevant law.

“The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.  And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.  If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold. 

And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it; Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; that he may return unto his possession.  But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.” (Leviticus 25:23-28)

There were no eminent Domain laws or legal ways to force Naboth to give up his land, regardless who wanted it.  It was God’s way of ensuring that every family had an equal chance, because no one, including the government could get a monopoly on the land.  Like our constitution, God's law was intended to protect the individual from those in power, not the leaders from the people.

“And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.” (I Kings 21:4)

Ahab’s reaction to Naboth’s refusal to sell him th eland was like spoiled child who is used to always getting his way.  He went home and crawled into bed to sulk and feel sorry for himself.  He wouldn’t eat or talk to anyone.

"But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? 

And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. 

And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” (I Kings 21:5-7)

Jezebel acted very much like the mother of such a spoiled child, agreeing that it was unfair for Naboth not to give it to him since he was the king, and promising that she would get it for him.

“So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.  And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.” (I Kings 21:8-10)

Both Ahab and Jezebel knew there was no legal way to force Naboth to give up his land.  Ahab wanted the land and he didn’t care what she had to do to get it as ling as he didn’t know so he didn’t have to feel guilty about it.  Jezebel didn’t care what the law said, but she wanted a little more power and saw this as a way of getting it.

She wrote letters purporting to be from Ahab and forged his signature, directing the leaders of Jezreel to make a big feast to honor Naboth so he and his friends would be off guard.  Then while it was going on they were to have two men make false accusations against him of having said treasonable things against God and against the king, framing him.  With no warning or time to mount a defense, and sufficient evidence against him, he could be railroaded and executed as quickly as possible.  The Law required at least two witnesses to convict a person.

“And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. 

They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.  And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. 

Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.” (I Kings 21:11-14)

By his own disregard for the law and for what was right, Ahab had established a disregard for the law in the nation.  The men of the city were more concerned with currying favor with Ahab than with what was right.  They proceeded to frame Naboth and execute him just as the letter Jezebel had forged in Ahab’s name asked.

 Even a set of laws designed by God offer no protection when those responsible for administering them do not respect them.  They can distort those laws to violate the very things the laws are meant to prevent while giving an appearance of following the law.  Unfortunately, leaders’ attitudes are often ignored in selecting them.

“And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. 

 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.” (I Kings 21:15-16)

When Naboth had been executed, Jezebel came and told Ahab he could take the vineyard and do whatever he wanted because there was no one to claim it.  Ahab didn’t ask any questions because he didn’t want to know how it was done.  He just wanted to take over the land.  As long as he didn’t know he could pretend it wasn’t his fault.

The Syrian Army Is Defeated

I Kings 20:15-30

“Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.  And they went out at noon.” (I Kings 20:15-16a) 

Assured by God that he would defeat the Syrians with the few men he had, Ahab gathered his army and at noon they went out to confront Benhadad’s forces.

“But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria. 

And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.” (I Kings 20:16b-18)

Benhadad was so sure that Israel wouldn’t dare fight them that he was having a party with the other kings, trying to see how drunk they could get.  When he found out that Ahab’s forces were coming out, he didn’t want to interrupt his party, even if they were coming out to surrender.  He just gave orders to arrest them and hold them what ever their reason was.  Like a typical bully, he was going to show them how little he thought of them.  After all there were only two hundred thirty two of the officials, and seizing them without even attempting to negotiate would be a political insult to Ahab.

“So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them.  And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen.  And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. ” (I Kings 20:19-21)

When the Syrians tried to arrest them, the two hundred thirty two princes each killed a man.  When the seven thousand man army rushed forward as well, the Syrian line broke and ran.  Benhadad was forced to jump on a horse and flee for his life.  Ahab and his army wiped out most of the cavalry and the armored chariots, as well as killing a huge number of the Syrian army.

It was a total rout and Ahab was feeling pretty cocky about his victory.

“And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.” (I Kings 20:22) 

The prophet warned Ahab it still wasn’t over.  He had embarrassed Benhadad, and he would come back in an effort to regain his pride.  Most bullies assume any defeat was accidental the first time and will try again, often with a sneak attack.

“And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.  And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms: And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.” (I Kings 20:23-25) 

The Syrians correctly believed it was Israel’s God that had given the victory.  Unfortunately, like many others they viewed him as just another god, not as the God of the universe.  They made two recommendations.  First to engage Israel in battle in the plains since God was a god of the hills and would be less powerful in the plains.  More importantly, the chariots would be more effective in open country.

Secondly, the political leaders, the kings should be replaced with experienced soldiers.   This last recommendation has been proven valuable throughout history.   Political popularity has very little to do with leadership or ability.  Making that change would greatly enhance their possibilities of winning.  With good leadership, they believed the same sized army would have won easily.

"And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.” (I Kings 20:26)

After the first of the year, Benhadad again attacked Israel.  Instead of trying to attack in the mountainous region around Samaria, he moved out into the plains east of the Sea of Galilee, to Aphek.

“And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.” (I Kings 20:27)

Compared to the Syrian army, which was huge, the Israelites looked like a few baby goats compared to a huge herd.  Numerically, victory looked impossible.

“And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.” (I Kings 20:28) 

Because the Syrians did not believe God was any greater than any of their gods, he was angered and promised give total victory so that Ahab and Israel would know that he wasn’t just a god but was the God

“And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.  But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left.” (I Kings 20:29-30)

For seven days, the two armies confronted each other in powerful shows of force, hoping to intimidate the other.  Finally they came together and Israel wiped out over a hundred thousand foot soldiers in a single day.  The rest of the Syrian army fled to the city of Aphek to take refuge inside the fortress.  One of the towering walls collapsed killing another twenty seven thousand, and making it a trap rather than a fort.  It was even worse than the first loss.

Acomodation Doesn’t Work

I Kings 20:1-15

“And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.

 And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Benhadad, Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine. 

And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.” (I Kings 20:1-4) 

Benhadad was the leader in chief of an alliance of thirty two city states.  Asa had paid him to break their treaty with Israel and attack them several years before, and the Syrians had taken a lot of their land.  Israel had been unable to regain possession, and he was emboldened to take more.  This time he led an invasion alkl the way south to the capitol city of Samaria.

With the capitol surrounded, he demanded that Ahab give him anything he wanted, including his personal wealth and his wives and children if he didn’t want to be destroyed.  Ahab complied with his demands, hoping he would be satisfied and leave them alone.

“And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children; Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away.” (I Kings 20:5-6)

Like most bullies, Benhadad took Ahab’s efforts to accommodate him as a sign of fear or weakness, and pushed harder to see how much he could get by with, sure he could defeat them if necessary.  He demanded to be allowed to go through Ahab’s property and take whatever he wanted.  In fact he demanded that Ahab give him everything he valued.  A bully, whether physical or emotional, will not stop until they meet opposition that they are afraid of.  Each time their demands are met, they are effectively encouraged to try more.

“Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not. 

And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.

Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.” (I Kings 20:7-9)

Ahab realized that Benhadad wasn’t just looking to take the property but was looking for an excuse to destroy Israel.  He decided to involve other leaders in his decision.  He described what had happened before and what the new demands were.  The people advised him not to give in to the intimidation, and Ahab informed Benhadad that he could not or would not meet his latest demand.

“And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me. 

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.” (I Kings 20:10-11)

Like anyone who is used to getting his way by intimidation and blackmail, Benhadad upped the threat level by delivering an ultimatum, warning that the entire land of Israel wouldn’t supply a handful of for every soldier he had.   If Ahab didn’t give what he demanded, they’d just kill him.  He had no clue how frustrated Ahab was.

Ahab responded by calling his bluff, warning him that threatening wasn’t the same thing as doing it.

 “And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.” (I Kings 20:12) 

Benhadad didn’t necessarily want to fight Israel, he just wanted them to be afraid to say no,  He ordered the army to get into position to fight thinking Israel would still  be afraid to fight back and would capitulate when they saw the forces arrayed against them.  He had no clue how unbearable people found his demands.

“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. 

And Ahab said, By whom? 

And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. 

Then he said, Who shall order the battle? 

And he answered, Thou.” (I Kings 20:13-14)

Though Ahab was a wicked king and deliberately going against God, God wanted him to know for sure who God was.  He promised Ahab would win the victory against Syria when Ahab was convinced there was no way they could win.  In fact, God promised that the victory would be attained by just the young men who lived in the capitol under Ahab’s leadership,

“Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.” (I Kings 20:15)

Ahab was only able to reach seven thousand troops and two hundred thirty two leaders.  They were so outnumbered the idea of victory seemed ludicrous, but they really had nothing left to lose.

Throughout history, governments, gangs, employers, husbands or wives, and siblings have used intimidation and blackmail to get their way.  Inevitably, there comes a point where people feel they have nothing more to lose and revolt.  Sooner or later the revolt always succeeds.  The bullies never seem to catch on.

Elisha’s Call to Ministry

I Kings 19:19-21

“So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.” (I Kings 19:19) 

Once more in control of his emotions, Elijah’s depression disappeared and he was able to resume his ministry.  Leaving Horeb, he returned north to Israel.  On the way he went through Abelmeholah, Elisha’s hometown, where he found him plowing a field.  Normally a single team was sufficient, but the ground was so hard Elisha was using twelve teams, and even then he was having to help pull.

Obviously, Elisha was a person who was used to working hard without seeing a lot of quick results.   It would take several years to bring such ground to a high level of production.  Clearly Elisha is a person who will not be easily discouraged.     Elijah just tossed his mantle, a sleeveless cloak over him, figuratively passing him the mantle of prophet.

“And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee.

And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?” (I Kings 19:20)

Elisha recognized it as an anointing or appointing by God and asked that Elijah wait until he bid his parents goodbye.  Elijah basically said he had to make his own decision, because all Elijah had done was offer the opportunity.   It is essentially what Jesus told the young man who offered to follow him in Luke 9:59-60.  “And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”  He would have to choose between living a normal life and serving God.  Settling his father’s estate could well take years and might prevent ever choosing to follow Christ.

“And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.” (I Kings 19:21)

Elisha made a full commitment to a ministry of prophecy.  He didn’t take time to sell his oxen or rent them out, but simply offered them as a sacrifice to God, using the yokes, blow and other equipment for fire wood.  There was no way he could go back and pick up where he left off if things didn’t turn out like he wanted them.

Over the years I have watched a number of men surrender to the ministry with the provision that they would do it for a while to see how it worked out.  Others have talked about how much they would have had if they had stayed in the professions as a doctor, an athlete,  a musician, or a business man.  Luke 9:62 warns, “… No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Though they may continue in ministry, they are not committed to Christ.  It is the theme of Luke 14:16-35.

In fact Luke 14:26-27 declares athat a person cannot be a Christian unless he is willing to make such a commitment.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”  Elisha made the commitment, leaving himself no where to go back to.

The Still Small Voice Of God

I Kings 19:9-18

“And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” (I Kings 19:9-10)

After forty days of hiding from Jezebel’s informants while crossing the countries of Judah, Edom, and Midian, Elijah had finally arrived in the wilderness of Mount Horeb.  Feeling somewhat safe there, his fear and consequent depression no longer control him completely.  Now God begins to deal with his depression.  He starts by asking why he is there.

Elijah’s answer was totally self centered.  "I have tried so hard to serve God when everyone else turned away, and now I’m the only one left and they are trying to kill me, and it is so unfair!"  It is a typical response when a person allows his emotions to take control of his thinking.  Until that hold is loosened, they are unable to consider anything else.  Feeling somewhat safe, Elijah could finally begin to think about why he felt that way.  With his logic back in control, God could show him what he needed to resolve his problem.  

“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (I Kings 19:11-12)

Humans seem always to be focused on the big and powerful things as evidence they are from God.  Hurricane winds blow down trees and houses, but even they don’t break rocks.  The wind God sent did, but God wasn’t in the wind.  Even a small earthquake is more powerful than anything man can build, but while God caused it, he wasn’t in it.  Then he sent a fire.  Despite all the government’s immense resources, and our experience with using and controlling fires, forest fires burn thousands of acres of forest and property annually.  God wasn’t in the fire either.  God doesn’t even have to personally involve himself to defeat anything man can do.

Last of all God spoke in a still small voice.  No yelling, no cursing or anger.  Just a soft calm voice that most people would not have heard.  People seldom notice what God does because they are focused on big things.  I Corinthians 1:27-29 declares, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

Elijah’s victory over the prophets of Baal had not been the result of a great organization or large a number of people serving God.  It wasn’t even about Elijah’s spiritual power.  Rarely are big exciting events and movements from God.  He prefers to work in less obvious ways.  He limited the size of Gideon’s army, and he sent persecution to break up the church at Jerusalem, so that only the apostles were left according to Acts 8:1.

“And it was so, when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. 

And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” (I Kings 19:13-14)

Elijah finally calmed down enough to hear and recognize God’s voice rather than just his emotions.  This time he responded voluntarily by going to hear what God had to say.  He responded with almost the same words he had used before, but with a different attitude.  He recognized how silly his actions had been.  If God could send fire from heaven to burn the sacrifices, a wind that broke rocks, an earthquake and a forest fire, he could deal with Jezebel’s threats.

“And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 

And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” (I Kings 19:15-18)

Elijah had gotten eh message, and no repeating it was needed.  Instead god gave him a new assignment, as if nothing had happened.  He was to return to Israel, anointing Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu king over Israel, and Elisha as his own replacement.  They would execute the judgment of God on those who would not obey.

He also pointed out that while Elijah had believed he was the only one serving God, there were actually seven thousand more in Israel.  He wasn’t nearly as alone as he thought.  His emotions had just led him to believe a lie.

Elijah Struggles With Depression

I Kings 19:1-9a

“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 

Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.” (I Kings 19:1-2)

Ahab worshipped Baal as another acceptable religion, much like a Protestant who is married to a Catholic might take part in a Catholic service.  Jezebel, however was more like the radical Moslem who wants to kill everyone who is not a Moslem.  When Ahab told her how Elijah had defeated and killed the prophets of Baal, she got mad, and sent a message that she would have him killed within twenty-four hours.

“And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.  But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (I Kings 19:3-4)

Knowing that as queen she could ignore the laws that restricted others, much like the IRS or Homeland Security, Elijah had no doubt about his danger.  He fled southward into Judah to Beersheba where he left his servant.  Fearing she would still be able to track him down, he left his servant and fled out into the wilderness another twenty or thirty miles.  Discouraged and depressed, he asked God to just kill him, convinced he wasn’t worth saving.

Elijah had just seen God work in a mighty way, and the prophets of Baal destroyed.  Like most of us, he assumed that that would end the matter and let down his guard.  As a result, Jezebel’s threat completely unnerved him.  Like Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14, he began to focus on the circumstances rather than on God, and he sank in depression, and went to bed, sleeping to avoid dealing with it.  Though his fear seems illogical from our perspective, it was very logical to him.

“ And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.  And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.” (I Kings 19:5-6)

Many people believe all a depressed person needs is a swift kick in the seat of the pants to get them up and going.   Others believe a good pep talk will solve the problem.  God did not take either approach.  Low blood sugar from not eating well can cause depression, so God started by providing food and water to overcome that problem, and allowed him to sleep a while longer and regain his strength.  Sometimes just food and rest will relieve the depression by providing mental energy to address the problems.

“And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.  And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.” (I Kings 19:7-8)

After he’d rested a while longer, the angel returned with more food, recognizing that the problem was very real to Elijah.  Too often outsiders treat the problem as minor, and leave the depressed person with the impression they think he is crazy for being upset over the problem.   This leads to deeper depression.  By acknowledging the seriousness of the problem,  By acknowledging Elijah’s perception of the problem, the angel established that he didn’t think Elijah was crazy.

Depressed people tend to eat sweet or quickly digested foods because they produce a quick energy surge. Without energy, the brain cannot function efficiently to address such problems.  Unfortunately, they cause the body to raise the insulin level, and quickly lower the blood sugar again, leading to a hypoglycemic condition and often resulting in even worse depression.   Type II diabetics have developed insulin resistance, and thus their bodies are unable to produce the surge of energy from eating sweet things, so increased blood sugar does not lessen their depression.

The food the angel provided did not produce the sudden surge of energy, but a sustained level, enabling Elijah to travel forty days and nights as he continued southeast to mount Horeb in present day Saudi Arabia in his effort to escape from Jezebel.

“And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there;…” (I Kings 19:9a) 

With forty days travel separating him and Jezebel, Elijah finally was convinced he would be safe and stopped running.   God didn’t get angry with him or  give up on him because of his depression.  He recognized Elijah needed more than just a strong talking too.  He needed to get some distance so he could get perspective on the problems.  Only when he has gotten far enough away to get them into perspective could he successfully deal with them.

God knows man far better than we do, and he has given us an example of how to deal with depressed people.  Unfortunately most lack the patience to truly help those who are depressed.

The Drought Breaks

I Kings 18:41-46

"And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.  So Ahab went up to eat and to drink.” (I Kings 18:41-42a) 

For three years, there had been no rain as a result of Israel’s idolatry and killing of God’s prophets.  Deuteronomy 28:15-24 had listed some of the curses that would come upon Israel for turning away from God.  A lack of rain was one of them.  “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:… And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.  The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.”

When they executed the false prophets and proclaimed God as their God, the cause of the drought was removed.  Deuteronomy  30:9-10 promised, “And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.”

This was also what God had told Solomon in II Chronicles 7:13-14.  “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

While these promises were made especially to Israel, we are told Sodom, the Canaanites and various other groups were destroyed for their sin against God.  In the story of Jonah, the people of Nineveh were spared because they repented of their sin, so the principle applies to other groups as well.

Throughout American history, we see our greatest struggles always came after a period of turning away from the Lord , whether the Civil war, World War I, the depression or any of our various other struggles.  They ended only when thre was a turning back to God.  I do not think things are different today.  If Americans would turn back to God today, I believe our greatest challenges would disappear almost immediately.

Elijah told Ahab to go ahead and eat freely, knowing they no longer had to worry about when it would rain again.  Ahab believed Elijah and went to eat before returning to Jezreel to spend the night.

“And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. 
And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. 

And he said, Go again seven times. 

And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand.” (I Kings 18:42b-44a) 

While Ahab went out to eat, Elijah got on his knees in prayer.  After a while, he sent his servant to look toward the Mediterranean and see if clouds were coming in.  The first six ties he looked, there weren’t any clouds in sight.  The seventh time he looked, there was a little cloud that looked about the size of a man’s hand over the sea.

“And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.” (I Kings 18:44b)

The cloud was so small that most people wouldn’t even notice it, but Elijah told his servant he better warn Ahab to hurry and get started to Jezreel so the rain wouldn’t make the road impassable for his chariot.

“And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.  And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.” (I Kings 18:45-46)

By the time the servant found Ahab and warned him, the clouds were looking like rain, and before he finished hooking up his chariot it was starting to rain.  It was about an hours drive for a chariot at full speed, and he drove hard.   Elijah left as soon as he had sent the message and by running as fast as he could, barely beat Ahab to the city.

Comparing God’s Power To Baal’s

I Kings 18:20-40

”So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.” (I Kings 18:20) 

Elijah had told Ahab that if he wanted the drought to end he must get all the people and the prophets of Baal and the groves together in an official meeting,   Desperate to end the drought, Ahab complied.

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.  And the people answered him not a word. ” (I Kings 18:21a) 

Ahab and Jezebel had tried to force the people to accept the worship of Baal, killing God’s prophets.  By allowing them to do so the people implied they were willing to accept Baal as God as well.  Elijah demanded that they make a decision, much as Joshua did in Joshua 24, if they wanted things to straighten out.

Israel had been upset to have the prophets killed but had accepted the Baalim anyway. Sadly in our own country we have done much the same thing, complaining about certain actions or movements such as abortion or homosexuality, but ignoring the root problem of rejecting God.  Called to make a stand, they weren’t willing to stand alone.

“Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.  Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God.”(I Kings 18:22-24a)

Most people don’t trust their own thinking and standards and yield to what their group thinks.  Elijah stood alone, but offered a way to test both sides.  Once they had a clear demonstration of each god’s power they could decide which one was really God.  Unfortunately, in our day, we are often asking people to make a decision based on a good sales presentation with no clear evidence of God’s power.  Many suffer buyer’s remorse as a result and are easily led into something else.

“And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.” (I Kings 18:24b)

The people welcomed the opportunity to make a decision based on evidence rather than just the claims of various adherents.

“And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 

“And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.” (I Kings 18:25-26) 

Elijah instructed the prophets of Baal to go through their rituals, but to not take the last step of setting the offering on fire.  If their god was really God, he would be able to act for himself to start the fire.  They spent the entire morning performing the rituals, but nothing happened, despite their frantic efforts.

“And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.  And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.” (I Kings 18:27-29) 

By noon, it was becoming boring, and Elijah began to rub it in, stirring them to greater lengths, implying that maybe Baal was hard of hearing or had gone hunting and they needed to holler loud enough o get his attention.   They kept trying without results until late afternoon.

“And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. 

And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.  And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.  

And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.  And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.  And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.” (I Kings 18:30-35)

Rather than building a new altar, Elijah rebuilt the altar they had let fall into disuse, making the connection with the past.  He built according to the traditional construction specified in the Law, reinforcing the importance of God’s commands.  He then offered the sacrifices according to the Law.

At that point he departed from the law, digging a trench around the altar capable of holding several bushels of seed.  He then had four barrels of water brought and dumped over the whole thing, greatly reducing the risk of fire.  He had this repeated three times, until everything was saturated and the ditch was standing full.  It would have been difficult to start a fire with such soaked wood.

“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.  Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.” (I Kings 18:36-37)

People tend to be impressed with fancy rituals, but Elijah didn’t give them a show.  He simply prayed a very short asking God to demonstrate his Godhood and power, and that Elijah was his servant. So the people would know and turn to God again.  

“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” (I Kings 18:38)

Normally, the wood burned, only gradually burning up the sacrifice.  This time the sacrifice burned first, then the wood.  The fire continued, burning up the stones and the dirt that supported them and finally burning the water in the trench as well. Obviously this was not just an ordinary fire.

“And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.” (I Kings 18:39) 

The people had no questions about who the real God was.  They recognized Baal as just a pretender.  Many people today have never seen God’s power, and thus are not sure if he really is God.  Paul was concerned about the problem in I Corinthians 2:4-5.  “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”  Far to much emphasis has been placed on eloquence or education rather than on spiritual power.

“And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.” (I Kings 18:40)

Assured of God’s power, the people didn’t hesitate to take action against sin.  They executed the prophets of Baal and the groves as specified in Deuteronomy 13:1-5.  “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 

Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.  And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.”

Elijah Arranges A Summit

I Kings 18:1-19

“And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.  And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab.” (I Kings 18:1-2a) 

After about three years of drought, when there had been no rain at all, and Ahab had done everything possible to find and kill Elijah, God told Elijah to go see Ahab, and he would send rain on the earth.

“And there was a sore famine in Samaria.  And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:  For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)  And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.” (I Kings 18:2b-5)

After three years without any rain, there wasn’t any grass for livestock, or any crops for food, things were so desperate the king and his chief of staff were forced to go out and help look for feed for the horses and mules to prevent them all dying.

When Ahab sponsored the worship of Baal, Jezebel had made a deliberate effort to kill all the prophets of God and eliminate the worship of God.  Obadiah believed God, and had put himself at risk in an effort to save the prophets of Baal.  This deliberate effort to prevent the worship of God is one of the reasons Ahab is described as being worse than all the kings before him.

“So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.  And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? 

And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 

And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?  As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. 

And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.  And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth. 

Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the Lord's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?  And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me. ” (I Kings 18:6-14)

Obadiah recognized Elijah immediately, and when he asked him to go tell Ahab he was there Obadiah was scared.  Ahab had spent three years looking for Elijah, and if Elijah decided not to stick around, Ahab would surely kill him for letting him get away.  He reminded Elijah of what he had done to help the prophets of God as proof he was not in favor of Ahab’s actions, but it also put him at greater risk since Ahab already had reason to question his loyalty.  When we are already in danger, it is frightening to increase that risk.

“And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to day. 

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.” (I Kings 18:15-16)

Assured that Elijah would not leave him alone. Obadiah went to tell Ahab Elijah wanted to see him.  As king, Ahab was used to ordering others to come to him.  Being told to go meet Elijah could have been viewed as a challenge to his authority, but Ahab was getting desperate.  He went to meet him.

“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” (I Kings 18:17) 

Like most people, Ahab blamed God and his people for the results of his sin. They are unwilling to admit their actions have anything to do with what is happening.  For three years he had tried to kill Elijah because of the drought.  They don’t understand that it is the very ones they are trying to kill who are protecting them from destruction.

“And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. 

Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.” (I Kings 18:18-19) 

Elijah pointed out that the drought and famine were what God had warned would happen if they turned away and began to serve idols.  Ahab and his predecessors had deliberately turned away from God and the drought and famine were the natural result.

Today people are worried  about global warming and potential world wide famine, as well as economic concerns, but like Ahab, they blame them on other things rather than acknowledging that it is a result of turning away from God.  In fact they often blame the Christians for standing against what they are doing.

Elijah asked Ahab to gather the people, the prophets of Baal , and the prophets who worshipped nature together at Mount Carmel if they wanted to find out how to end the famine.   If they failed to show up, it would be pretty obvious they didn’t care what happened.  Politically, they couldn’t afford to refuse.

The Widow’s Son Revived

I Kings 17:17-24

“And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.  And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?” (I Kings 17:17-18)

Several months after Elijah had begun to board at the widow’s house. Her son became sick, finally reaching a point where his breathing was no longer detectable.  As so often happens when something goes wrong she began to blame others, and especially God.  Since Elijah was there and he served God, she took it out on him.   She said God was punishing her and Elijah had been sent to remind her, implying she wished she had never tried to help him.  When emotions take over, people become irrational, and she was hurting emotionally at the thought of her son’s death.

“And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.  And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?  And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.” (I Kings 17:19-21)

Rather than remonstrating with her, Elijah asked her to give him her son, and gently took him from her.  He took him up and laid him on his own bed and began to pray, in essence asking God why he had allowed such a thing to happen to someone who was trying to do what was right in helping him.  He then clasped the child to him, allowing his body to warm it’s body three times, asking God to restore the body to life.

“And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.” (I Kings 17:22)

Many times, as Christians, we give up hope, forgetting who God is, forgetting that as Luke 1:37 says, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”  Elijah had the confidence to ask God to give back the boy’s life.  It is the confidence every Christian should have according to I John 5:15-15.  “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

James 4:2-3 says there are two reasons why Christians lack what they want.  “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”  First, we don’t ask because we don’t expect God to listen anyway.  Secondly, we aren’t concerned about what God wants, but are focused on our own desires.  Asking in Jesus’ name implies we are asking on his behalf rather than our own.

Sometimes we are afraid to ask for things because we aren’t sure what God wants or how to pray properly.  Romans 8:26-27 addresses this problem pointing out that none of us really know what to pray foror how to ask properly.  “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

We don’t have to worry about how our prayer sounds, because the Holy Spirit will edit it so it comes across properly.  I suspect that he simply discards a lot of prayers because they are selfish, or are just repeating someone else’s words.  God heard Elijah’s prayer and answered.  The boy revived.


“And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 

And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.” (I Kings 17:23-24)

While the widow had believed Elijah was a prophet and had helped him because of it. She hadn’t really understood that he was actually led and empowered by God.  She needed to see God’s power herself.  She was typical of most people in churches today, trying to serve God but with no real understanding of his power and love.