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.