1 Kings 20:1-43

Resound
March 27, 2011

Bryne Palmer

“Expect the Unexpected”

1 Kings 20:1-43

1.       Ahab’s time to shine Vs. 1-30

Ahab was being wise because he cared about his people. He allowed Ben-hadad to take his gold silver, wives and children, but no to harm his people. Even though Ahab led all of Israel off into idolatry, he wasn’t a totally bad guy. Expect the unexpected -Proverbs 16:9- Ahab is told by God to throw the first punch. Ahab has to take a huge leap of faith to go against all these people. ~*~Remember who Ahab is: he served two gods, put a death warrant on Elijah’s head and let a woman tell him what to do ~*~ 232 men who didn’t really have any experience were to be led by Ahab into the surprise attack (they were backed by 10,000 additional men but the other army was still bigger, by like 10 to 1). The Aramaeans believed that the reason Ahab won was because his god was a god of the mountains so they wanted to fight him on the planes. But God is still going to win no matter where they’re at, because our God is sovereign. Ahab’s army was so small that they were referred to as two little flocks of sheep as the other army filled the valley.   

2.       Looks can be deceiving Vs. 31-40

…as Ben-hadad has come to realize. Ben-hadad surrenders and Ahab is merciful, he also gets all the land back that Ben-hadad’s dad stole from Ahab’s dad.

*the focus shifts*

To the man who wanted to be striked. If you don’t obey God there are consequences. God has a plan, no matter how weird or odd it looks, do it! The purpose of the sword whacking was so that the man would look like he had been there during the battle.

3.       The truth hurts Vs. 41-43

Ben-hadad was supposed to die. So now it’s Ahab’s life for Ben-hadad’s. –Romans 1:18-24- Replace “they” with your name. Vs 20-24 this is what happened to Ahab. –Ephesians 2:3- We are born like this. We all deserve Ahab’s punishment BUT Jesus came and dies for us. You deserve to die BUT Jesus came and took it for you. –Romans 5:8-