Verses 1-12 – A coalition of twenty-three kings under Benhadad the king of Syria went against Samaria. He sent words to Ahab the king of Israel to surrender his wealth including his family or he would take whatever he liked. Ahab sought the elders’ advice, and they told him not to comply. Ahab took their advice. In response, Behadad said he needed only a few men to attack him. Ahab told him not to boast so quickly but Benhadad got ready for war.

Paul has something to teach us about boasting. He said to boast only in the Lord.

Verses 13-25 – A prophet prophesied that God would defeat their enemies for Israel. So, Ahab asked who was to start the war. God said he was the one. Ahab mustered seven thousand men while Benhadad sent scouts to assess the situation. The scouts reported that the Israelites were coming from Samaria to attack them. Benhadad told his men to take them alive whether they came in peace or war instead Benhadad had to flee and escape. The prophet told Ahab to strengthen and consider what he must do against his enemies. While Benhadad’s servants said to him that the God of Israel was a god of the hills so they must fight them in the plain. Benhadad took their advice. Man can plan and scheme, but the battle belongs to God.

Verses 26-34 – Benhadad gathered the Syrians to fight Israel at Aphek. A man of God told Ahab what the enemy said about their God, a god of the hills, not the valleys. So, God would defeat them, and they would know He is God. Seven days the Israelites surrounded them before they struck down 100,000 of them in one day. The remaining 27,000 fled to Aphek. Benhadad fled and hid in an inner chamber in the city. His servants said they would surrender and maybe Ahab would spare them. They pleaded with Ahab to spare Behadad’s life if they made a deal with him. Ahab agreed. Behadad agreed to give them the cities his father took.

Despite Ahab’s sinfulness, God still led Israel and helped them to defeat the Syrians. God is faithful to His covenant promises that He made with David. He is faithful despite our unfaithfulness. Faith in God requires obedience.

Verses 35-43 – God told a prophet to ask his friend to strike him with a weapon. He refused. The prophet said he would die because he refused to obey God’s word. A lion killed him as he went out. The prophet asked another man to strike him. The man did. The wounded prophet disguised himself and waited for the king to pass by him. He told the king that he was asked to guard a captive and was warned that if the captive escaped, he would lose his life or a talent of silver. The man escaped. The king said he had just pronounced his sentence.

The prophet removed his disguise, and the king recognized him. He told the king that he had freed a man that God wanted him to die. On hearing this Ahab was upset and went to his palace in Samaria.

God used a prophet to confront Ahab for sparing Benhadad. It is noble to spare the life of another, but we must not disobey God’s words. God wants us to obey Him. Likewise, when someone has sinned against God or a brother, he must be punished and not let go without any consequences. Obey God and His word as well as discipline those who have sinned.

Prayer: Lord, I put my faith in You as an act of obedience as my ways are different from Your ways. I will act faithfully in obeying Your word. Thank you for being faithful even though I am unfaithful.