2026 1 Kings 20, God’s Mercy And Ahab’s Failure
Special
Author
Admin
Date
2026-02-15 17:08
Views
62
God’s Mercy And Ahab’s Failure
1 Kings 20
Ben-Hadad of Aram attacked Israel and laid siege to Samaria. He sent messengers to King Ahab, threatening him: “Your silver and gold, your wives and children are mine.” Ahab, powerless, complied. “My lord the king, all I have is yours.” (v4) Ahab looks docile. “He may be indecisive, but he is not evil at heart.” However, his actions are solely for his own benefit and not at all for the glory of God. That is evil. That is Ahab. There are few Jezebels in church. There are many Ahabs.
Ben-Hadad sent messengers again to Ahab with a harsher request. “Tomorrow, my officials will search your palace and the houses of your officials and seize everything.” (V 6)
The king of Aram is going too far. He abuses power. God strikes such people. Some say, “I do whatever I want.” It's the road to destruction. We need a brake in our lives driving at a normal pace by relying on God. Your youth, health, knowledge or possession are given to you by God. Instead of using all your power maximum, ask God with trembling hearts, "Lord, how would you like these to be used?"
Ahab refuses Ben-Hadad's second request. (v9) But he had no power and plan to defend his nation. That is the time for him to cry out to God in prayer. "God, what should I do before this crisis?" But he doesn't pray.
You face a crisis. Yet, you don't pray. Anyway, you get out of it and things are going well with you. Then, don’t be happy. That's deadly. Ahab triumphed without prayer. A life that goes well without prayer will be completely and eternally destructed.
Ahab, in a national crisis, made his own judgment first. Then he called in the elders of the nation to ask for their opinions. Don't live like Ahab. If you face a trouble, pray to God. Receive this training.
God did not give up on Ahab. Look at verse 13. Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab and announced, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD.” It is a mystery. God showed mercy on such wicked man.
Ahab married a Jezebel, a Baal worshiper. He killed God's prophets and made Israel a Baal-worshipping kingdom. He is the most wicked king in Israel.
However, God did not destroy him immediately. God sent Ahab His servant to teach him prayer and obedience. And God gave him victory so that he might repent and acknowledge that God is the Lord.
Surprisingly, Ahab listened to the prophet's message and obeyed. “But who will do this?” This is prayer. The prophet replied, “The junior officers under the provincial commanders will do it.” “And who will start the battle?” Ahab prayed again. The prophet answered, “You will.” Ahab learned to pray and obeyed. He summoned 232 junior officers under the provincial commanders and assembled soldiers, 7,000 in all. The 232 junior officers defeated the countless Aramean armies.
In this war, God used inexperienced young men who had the bravery and passion of youth.
If this campus had 232 soldiers of Jesus with passion and bravery, it could change the landscape of this campus, this city and this nation. I pray you may be one of such warriors.
Next spring Ben Hadad invaded Israel again. (v 26) By sending a prophet, God declared, “I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.” (V 28) Ahab won again killing around 130,000 Aramean soldiers. The victory on both wars is a miracle to King Ahab from God. Yes, Ahab received amazing grace from God. Yet, in chapter 22, he dies a tragic death. Why? Because he spilled all the grace he had received from God on the ground. Folks, seek God's grace. Receive it abundantly. But never spill it. How?
First, after victory, give glory to God.
After two victories, Ahab became narcissistic, full of himself. He forgot God’s grace. Furthermore, when Ben-Hadad begs Ahab for his life, saying, “Your servant Ben-Hadad says: ‘Please let me live,” (v32) Ahab became very proud like a peacock. He was drunk on his own glory. “Wow, look at me go! The king of that powerful nation is begging me for his life!”Reading his mind, Ben Hadad kindled a fire of show-off in Ahab’s heart. “You shall name the streets for you in Damascus.” (v34) Ahab felt that he was on the top of the world. He took Ben-Hadad, whom God determined to destroy, in his chariot, restored his throne and let him go free. Ahab failed because he became self-seeking instead of giving glory to God in time of victory.
Folks, you should let go of your self-seeking ego. If "I" grows within me after victory, it is destructive. Don’t erase God in your life when you succeed.
“In God we trust.” This phrase has been engraved on US coins since 1956. In 1953, the United States defeated Japan with nuclear weapons, but the world was astonished by the terrifying destructive power of nuclear weapons. The Soviet Union also possessed these weapons. There was fear of the danger of human destruction. Then, President Eisenhower drew great strength from Psalm 118:8. "In God we trust." After victory, America relied more on God, and was blessed and used more by Him.
However, America is now in danger. Why? Is it because of that runaway person? No. It is because God's name has been erased, starting from the courts of USA. Prayer in schools has been banned from Kennedy government. Having received so much grace from God, they are erasing God’s name, falling into devil's trap.
When life is hard, people come to church to seek God. How about when you are promoted, when you have a stable career with good income? At that time, would you give glory to God by kneeling down before him in worship, prayer and gospel work? Would you devote your talents, time and money to the Lord? Then you are true.
One grade 12 student desperately prayed to the Lord, “Lord, if you let me get into the university I wish, I will dedicate my whole life to you.” Miraculously, the student was accepted into a nursing college. But after graduation, getting a job and making quite of money, where is that person now? By God's grace, they came to university, graduated, got a job and making money. Where are they now? A bunch of Ahabs. Folks, after victory, return and bow down before God in continual worship, prayer and gospel work.
Second, Obey God's will
The judgment of Ben-hadad was God's will. Yet, Ahab freed Ben-hadad. (33-34) He had no interest in God's will. He didn't ask God’s will. Nor did he desire to know it. As a result, he lost his life in Ben-hadad's place.
Esther rose from a slave to the queen of Persia. While all Jews faced a crisis of death, Esther conflicted over whether to reveal her identity or not. Then she was confronted by her spiritual mentor, Mordecai. "Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther then made a decision. "I will step forward for God’s people. If I perish, I perish."
Why has God given you such grace as health, education, job and money? Don't you know? There is God’s will and you and I know what it is. But there are people who forget or despise or avoid God's will and use what they receive from God as they please. Ahab despised God’s will. Then his end was so tragic. In time of victory, ask God's will and live by His will.
Third, gratitude
Ahab took victory for granted. Aren't we the same? We were born naked. Everything we have now is a gift from God. Yet, we have become so accustomed to God’s grace. Ahab took two victories for granted. He didn't give thanks to God.
Romans 1:14 says, “I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.” Paul was overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord who saved such sinner like him and used him to save souls. Are you grateful to God who has saved you from eternal judgment and called you to worship, pray and do gospel work in fleeting and pleasure-seeking world? Are you grateful to God who has blessed you in health, education, job and family?
Linda's dream was to become a medical doctor to serve as a missionary in a remote area. But at 14, she contracted bacterial endarteritis, fainted for two weeks, and nearly died several times afterward. She was destined to spend her life in a wheelchair. She received constant rehabilitation while hospitalized. She couldn't study, work, or date like others. There was no reason to be thankful, right? Yet, she was grateful. "God, I prayed when I was young to serve as a medical missionary. Thank you for answering my prayer. I wanted to be a doctor, but you've made me a patient in this hospital. Here, I am grateful to you for making me a friend to the sick and suffering, comforting them, and living as a missionary sharing the gospel of Jesus." It's heartbreaking yet warm. This is God’s grace and gratitude.
We want to be successful, rich and stable in career and finance. We want to be professionals. Why? Would you answer? Is it for God’s glory? Is it to share the word of God with others? Sadly, not a few seek an easy life using God’s name. What if you are not rich or stable or healthy? Would you still give thanks to God? Ahab failed because he took all he received from God for granted.
Did God give up on him? No. God sent a prophet again to him. Look at verse 35. By the word of the LORD one of the company of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me with your weapon.” “What! Hey man, you are my friend. How can I strike you with a weapon? No way!” To him, God’s word from his friend was impossible to obey. What happened? So the prophet said, “Because you have not obeyed the LORD, as soon as you leave me a lion will kill you.” And after the man went away, a lion found him and killed him.
Look at verse 37. The prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please.” So the man struck him and wounded him badly. There are times when God gives you such strange command. You are to deliver the command of God to your friends whether the command of God is understandable to you or not. And there is time you must obey what you are commanded from God through your pastor or spiritual friend.
If the command of God seems weird to you, is it okay for you not to obey? “Abraham, sacrifice your son as a burnt offering to me.” Do you understand? After Abraham obeyed, he understood God’s will.
There are times like this in our lives. Obedience means that you are to obey God’s command though you don’t understand it. Obedience means that you are to live from God’s perspective, not your own. If you try to obey from your own perspective, you can’t obey and you will never experience God.
I have a calling from God to deliver his messages. So I preach and teach. (exs) But if I reason, “Gee, my students would not obey whatsoever, why should I do labour of teaching them?” Does it make sense? Whether they obey or not, I, like the prophet, am to continue to deliver God's word to them. Then some obey, while others disobey. The responsibility is not on me but them. 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” I pray that you may obey God when you hear his word.
The prophet met Ahab. Verse 39 says, “Your servant went into the thick of the battle, and someone came to me with a captive and said, ‘Guard this man. If he is missing, it will be your life for his life, or you must pay a talent of silver.’ While your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.”
Your life or a talent of silver, equivalent to 247 years of wages, an impossible amount for an ordinary soldier to raise. What does it mean? The mission God has given you is as important and absolute as your life itself. However, while he was busy here and there, the captive escaped.
Ahab said, "It's your responsibility. You must die in his place." Do you know God? Have you experienced God? In God, do you know you have received a mission worth your life? To take care of the mission given to you by God, you have to risk your life including all your career and money.
But, would you be busy here and there neglecting God-given mission? Would you give up worship, prayer and gospel work making excuse you are busy? A task is given to you, but you usually say, “maybe or no.” Folks, consider yourself fortunate that there are no lions right now.
Look at verse 42. This is what the LORD says: ‘You have set free a man I had determined should die. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.’” Indeed, Ahab lost his life. Why? Was it because he disobeyed God?
Verse 43 says, “Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria.” Why did he go to his palace, instead of the temple or prophet of God? Why did he lose the last chance? Why? How many times has God given him chances to repent and return to honor Him? But instead of returning to God with repentance, he went to his palace, his comfort zone sullen and angry. He missed another chance.
Earnestly, you and I are like Ahab. Because of our self-seeking, enormously strong ego, we continue to calculate to offer minimum to God but pursue our own benefit. We disobey God. Should then we be destroyed? No. Our heavenly Father does not want anyone to perish. He is waiting for us to return to him. Only we repent before Him and accept Jesus as the Savior. Then, He pardons us and restores us. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Would you still go to your palace such as your room, library, your friends or travelling? Wouldn’t you come to His church and kneel down to Him asking for His mercy and restoration? Because of our sins, we should have been punished long time ago or even now.
Yet, the fact that we are still breathing means we still have a chance seeing Jesus who shed his precious blood on the cross praying for us, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Would you come to Jesus and put your faith in him? He cleanses you, forgives you and restores you. Amen.
1 Kings 20
Ben-Hadad of Aram attacked Israel and laid siege to Samaria. He sent messengers to King Ahab, threatening him: “Your silver and gold, your wives and children are mine.” Ahab, powerless, complied. “My lord the king, all I have is yours.” (v4) Ahab looks docile. “He may be indecisive, but he is not evil at heart.” However, his actions are solely for his own benefit and not at all for the glory of God. That is evil. That is Ahab. There are few Jezebels in church. There are many Ahabs.
Ben-Hadad sent messengers again to Ahab with a harsher request. “Tomorrow, my officials will search your palace and the houses of your officials and seize everything.” (V 6)
The king of Aram is going too far. He abuses power. God strikes such people. Some say, “I do whatever I want.” It's the road to destruction. We need a brake in our lives driving at a normal pace by relying on God. Your youth, health, knowledge or possession are given to you by God. Instead of using all your power maximum, ask God with trembling hearts, "Lord, how would you like these to be used?"
Ahab refuses Ben-Hadad's second request. (v9) But he had no power and plan to defend his nation. That is the time for him to cry out to God in prayer. "God, what should I do before this crisis?" But he doesn't pray.
You face a crisis. Yet, you don't pray. Anyway, you get out of it and things are going well with you. Then, don’t be happy. That's deadly. Ahab triumphed without prayer. A life that goes well without prayer will be completely and eternally destructed.
Ahab, in a national crisis, made his own judgment first. Then he called in the elders of the nation to ask for their opinions. Don't live like Ahab. If you face a trouble, pray to God. Receive this training.
God did not give up on Ahab. Look at verse 13. Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab and announced, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD.” It is a mystery. God showed mercy on such wicked man.
Ahab married a Jezebel, a Baal worshiper. He killed God's prophets and made Israel a Baal-worshipping kingdom. He is the most wicked king in Israel.
However, God did not destroy him immediately. God sent Ahab His servant to teach him prayer and obedience. And God gave him victory so that he might repent and acknowledge that God is the Lord.
Surprisingly, Ahab listened to the prophet's message and obeyed. “But who will do this?” This is prayer. The prophet replied, “The junior officers under the provincial commanders will do it.” “And who will start the battle?” Ahab prayed again. The prophet answered, “You will.” Ahab learned to pray and obeyed. He summoned 232 junior officers under the provincial commanders and assembled soldiers, 7,000 in all. The 232 junior officers defeated the countless Aramean armies.
In this war, God used inexperienced young men who had the bravery and passion of youth.
If this campus had 232 soldiers of Jesus with passion and bravery, it could change the landscape of this campus, this city and this nation. I pray you may be one of such warriors.
Next spring Ben Hadad invaded Israel again. (v 26) By sending a prophet, God declared, “I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.” (V 28) Ahab won again killing around 130,000 Aramean soldiers. The victory on both wars is a miracle to King Ahab from God. Yes, Ahab received amazing grace from God. Yet, in chapter 22, he dies a tragic death. Why? Because he spilled all the grace he had received from God on the ground. Folks, seek God's grace. Receive it abundantly. But never spill it. How?
First, after victory, give glory to God.
After two victories, Ahab became narcissistic, full of himself. He forgot God’s grace. Furthermore, when Ben-Hadad begs Ahab for his life, saying, “Your servant Ben-Hadad says: ‘Please let me live,” (v32) Ahab became very proud like a peacock. He was drunk on his own glory. “Wow, look at me go! The king of that powerful nation is begging me for his life!”Reading his mind, Ben Hadad kindled a fire of show-off in Ahab’s heart. “You shall name the streets for you in Damascus.” (v34) Ahab felt that he was on the top of the world. He took Ben-Hadad, whom God determined to destroy, in his chariot, restored his throne and let him go free. Ahab failed because he became self-seeking instead of giving glory to God in time of victory.
Folks, you should let go of your self-seeking ego. If "I" grows within me after victory, it is destructive. Don’t erase God in your life when you succeed.
“In God we trust.” This phrase has been engraved on US coins since 1956. In 1953, the United States defeated Japan with nuclear weapons, but the world was astonished by the terrifying destructive power of nuclear weapons. The Soviet Union also possessed these weapons. There was fear of the danger of human destruction. Then, President Eisenhower drew great strength from Psalm 118:8. "In God we trust." After victory, America relied more on God, and was blessed and used more by Him.
However, America is now in danger. Why? Is it because of that runaway person? No. It is because God's name has been erased, starting from the courts of USA. Prayer in schools has been banned from Kennedy government. Having received so much grace from God, they are erasing God’s name, falling into devil's trap.
When life is hard, people come to church to seek God. How about when you are promoted, when you have a stable career with good income? At that time, would you give glory to God by kneeling down before him in worship, prayer and gospel work? Would you devote your talents, time and money to the Lord? Then you are true.
One grade 12 student desperately prayed to the Lord, “Lord, if you let me get into the university I wish, I will dedicate my whole life to you.” Miraculously, the student was accepted into a nursing college. But after graduation, getting a job and making quite of money, where is that person now? By God's grace, they came to university, graduated, got a job and making money. Where are they now? A bunch of Ahabs. Folks, after victory, return and bow down before God in continual worship, prayer and gospel work.
Second, Obey God's will
The judgment of Ben-hadad was God's will. Yet, Ahab freed Ben-hadad. (33-34) He had no interest in God's will. He didn't ask God’s will. Nor did he desire to know it. As a result, he lost his life in Ben-hadad's place.
Esther rose from a slave to the queen of Persia. While all Jews faced a crisis of death, Esther conflicted over whether to reveal her identity or not. Then she was confronted by her spiritual mentor, Mordecai. "Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther then made a decision. "I will step forward for God’s people. If I perish, I perish."
Why has God given you such grace as health, education, job and money? Don't you know? There is God’s will and you and I know what it is. But there are people who forget or despise or avoid God's will and use what they receive from God as they please. Ahab despised God’s will. Then his end was so tragic. In time of victory, ask God's will and live by His will.
Third, gratitude
Ahab took victory for granted. Aren't we the same? We were born naked. Everything we have now is a gift from God. Yet, we have become so accustomed to God’s grace. Ahab took two victories for granted. He didn't give thanks to God.
Romans 1:14 says, “I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.” Paul was overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord who saved such sinner like him and used him to save souls. Are you grateful to God who has saved you from eternal judgment and called you to worship, pray and do gospel work in fleeting and pleasure-seeking world? Are you grateful to God who has blessed you in health, education, job and family?
Linda's dream was to become a medical doctor to serve as a missionary in a remote area. But at 14, she contracted bacterial endarteritis, fainted for two weeks, and nearly died several times afterward. She was destined to spend her life in a wheelchair. She received constant rehabilitation while hospitalized. She couldn't study, work, or date like others. There was no reason to be thankful, right? Yet, she was grateful. "God, I prayed when I was young to serve as a medical missionary. Thank you for answering my prayer. I wanted to be a doctor, but you've made me a patient in this hospital. Here, I am grateful to you for making me a friend to the sick and suffering, comforting them, and living as a missionary sharing the gospel of Jesus." It's heartbreaking yet warm. This is God’s grace and gratitude.
We want to be successful, rich and stable in career and finance. We want to be professionals. Why? Would you answer? Is it for God’s glory? Is it to share the word of God with others? Sadly, not a few seek an easy life using God’s name. What if you are not rich or stable or healthy? Would you still give thanks to God? Ahab failed because he took all he received from God for granted.
Did God give up on him? No. God sent a prophet again to him. Look at verse 35. By the word of the LORD one of the company of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me with your weapon.” “What! Hey man, you are my friend. How can I strike you with a weapon? No way!” To him, God’s word from his friend was impossible to obey. What happened? So the prophet said, “Because you have not obeyed the LORD, as soon as you leave me a lion will kill you.” And after the man went away, a lion found him and killed him.
Look at verse 37. The prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please.” So the man struck him and wounded him badly. There are times when God gives you such strange command. You are to deliver the command of God to your friends whether the command of God is understandable to you or not. And there is time you must obey what you are commanded from God through your pastor or spiritual friend.
If the command of God seems weird to you, is it okay for you not to obey? “Abraham, sacrifice your son as a burnt offering to me.” Do you understand? After Abraham obeyed, he understood God’s will.
There are times like this in our lives. Obedience means that you are to obey God’s command though you don’t understand it. Obedience means that you are to live from God’s perspective, not your own. If you try to obey from your own perspective, you can’t obey and you will never experience God.
I have a calling from God to deliver his messages. So I preach and teach. (exs) But if I reason, “Gee, my students would not obey whatsoever, why should I do labour of teaching them?” Does it make sense? Whether they obey or not, I, like the prophet, am to continue to deliver God's word to them. Then some obey, while others disobey. The responsibility is not on me but them. 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” I pray that you may obey God when you hear his word.
The prophet met Ahab. Verse 39 says, “Your servant went into the thick of the battle, and someone came to me with a captive and said, ‘Guard this man. If he is missing, it will be your life for his life, or you must pay a talent of silver.’ While your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.”
Your life or a talent of silver, equivalent to 247 years of wages, an impossible amount for an ordinary soldier to raise. What does it mean? The mission God has given you is as important and absolute as your life itself. However, while he was busy here and there, the captive escaped.
Ahab said, "It's your responsibility. You must die in his place." Do you know God? Have you experienced God? In God, do you know you have received a mission worth your life? To take care of the mission given to you by God, you have to risk your life including all your career and money.
But, would you be busy here and there neglecting God-given mission? Would you give up worship, prayer and gospel work making excuse you are busy? A task is given to you, but you usually say, “maybe or no.” Folks, consider yourself fortunate that there are no lions right now.
Look at verse 42. This is what the LORD says: ‘You have set free a man I had determined should die. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.’” Indeed, Ahab lost his life. Why? Was it because he disobeyed God?
Verse 43 says, “Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria.” Why did he go to his palace, instead of the temple or prophet of God? Why did he lose the last chance? Why? How many times has God given him chances to repent and return to honor Him? But instead of returning to God with repentance, he went to his palace, his comfort zone sullen and angry. He missed another chance.
Earnestly, you and I are like Ahab. Because of our self-seeking, enormously strong ego, we continue to calculate to offer minimum to God but pursue our own benefit. We disobey God. Should then we be destroyed? No. Our heavenly Father does not want anyone to perish. He is waiting for us to return to him. Only we repent before Him and accept Jesus as the Savior. Then, He pardons us and restores us. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Would you still go to your palace such as your room, library, your friends or travelling? Wouldn’t you come to His church and kneel down to Him asking for His mercy and restoration? Because of our sins, we should have been punished long time ago or even now.
Yet, the fact that we are still breathing means we still have a chance seeing Jesus who shed his precious blood on the cross praying for us, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Would you come to Jesus and put your faith in him? He cleanses you, forgives you and restores you. Amen.