READ: 1 Kin. 20:22–43: … your life in place of his life …
Ben-Hadad consults with his servants about the cause of his defeat. He intends to attack again. He considers the LORD a god of the mountains, less effective on the plains. Therefore a great army is assembled to fight on level ground.
The prophet again calls Ahab to battle (v.22) and promises that the LORD will again grant victory (v.28). He also states the purpose of the LORD: “that you may know that I am the LORD.”
Thus the two armies take their positions. On the seventh day the battle takes place. One hundred thousand foot soldiers are struck down that day. The rest flee, and another twenty-seven thousand perish when a wall collapses in the city of Aphek.
Ben-Hadad and his servants realize they cannot stand. They devise a scheme: they mourn and plead for mercy. In return, some captured cities are restored. Ahab agrees, even calls the pagan Ben-Hadad his brother, and makes a covenant with him.
Ahab does not acknowledge that Ben-Hadad and his entire army are at God’s disposal, nor that God has delivered them into his hand. He does not even consult God’s prophet who had conveyed the LORD’s instruction.
Ahab acts as if he himself has authority over Ben-Hadad’s life. The LORD makes this clear through the action of a prophet disguised as a wounded soldier. This man has himself struck and tells the king a fabricated story that serves as a judgment.
Just as the soldier disobeys the command to guard a prisoner under penalty of death and will not escape punishment, so King Ahab will not escape God’s punishment for letting Ben-Hadad go. His life will be forfeit in place of Ben-Hadad’s.
Ahab departs in anger. The LORD had shown him great, undeserved favour. But Ahab did not acknowledge, thank, or honour the LORD. Thus he increases his guilt.
Do we realize how often the LORD is at work for us?
Singing: Ps. 76:5