1 Kings 20

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1 Kings 20:13, Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel 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.’”

Syria, a long-time enemy of Israel, is once again threatening to invade.  In fact, Syria’s king, Ben Hadad (along with a coalition of thirty-two other kings) makes demands on Ahab to avoid a fight.  Ahab agrees to give money, women, and children to Ben Hadad if they will retreat.  When the king of Syria and his coalition also demand that they be allowed to pillage and loot the palaces of Ahab’s officials, King Ahab refused.  They will fight rather than surrender.

In today’s focus verse, we see God sending a prophet to Ahab who tells him that God will help Israel defeat the vast army of the Syrian coalition.  Why in the world would God do this, considering Ahab’s blatant disobedience and evil over the past few chapters?  So King Ahab will know that Yahweh is the Lord.  God continues to give Ahab chances to turn from his old ways and serve the one true God.  Our God is a God of second, third, and fourth chances.  He wants a relationship with each of us. 

As we finish the chapter, we see that God does in fact save the nation of Israel.  But Ahab is disobedient once again.  This will be his undoing…more tomorrow.

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, We thank you that you are a God of second chances.  We are grateful for your mercy and extravagant grace.  Help us reflect your love, grace, and mercy in all we do as well, in order to lead people to you.  In Your Name, Amen.