What I Noticed Today (1 Kings 19-20)
1 Kings 19
In verses 1-9, Ahab gets home and tells his wife, Jezebel, everything that had happened on Mount Carmel, including how Elijah had killed all the prophets of Baal.
- Elijah is coming off of this incredible high of the victory over the Baals, when suddenly Jezebel sends him a message that says, “I’m going to have you killed.”
- Elijah was afraid of Jezebel and her threat, so he ran and hid in the wilderness under a broom tree. He prayed that he would die.
Note: This is the same Elijah, who God cared for miraculously during the three years of drought and sent fire from heaven, and suddenly he is living in fear of Jezebel instead of in faith that God will be with him.
- An angel of the Lord appeared to Elijah twice commanded him to eat and drink some water.
- The angel encouraged him, and on the strength of that encouragement, Elijah traveled 40 days to Mt. Horeb (Sinai), where God had originally made a covenant with Moses (Exodus 24:18).
Note: A direct route from Beersheba to Mount Horeb would be about 200 miles and take about 14 days walking on foot.
In verses 9b-18, Elijah has an encounter with God on Mount Horeb:
- God demonstrated His power to Elijah on Mt. Horeb first in the form of a great wind, then an earthquake, and finally in a fire.
- But then the Lord spoke to Elijah in a small still voice.
- God let Elijah know that he was still in control.
- Elijah was directed to anoint Hazael king over Syria (Arameans), Jehu king over Israel, and Elisha as a prophet to replace him.
- The Lord said Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha would put to death all those who had bowed to Baal. A remnant of 7,000 would be left in Israel.
In verses 19-21, Elijah left the wilderness and went and found Elisha (Elisha means “My God is Salvation”). Elijah threw his cloak over Elisha (symbolizing a transfer of authority). Elisha slaughtered his oxen, burned his plows, had a farewell banquet, and left to follow Elijah.
Note: The phrase “What have I done to you?” (v. 20b) is a way of giving permission. It is like saying, “Do what you please.”
1 Kings 20
1 Kings 20 shifts our attention to Ben-Hadad, king of Syria (Arameans), who led a group of 32 kings against Ahab, king of Israel.
In verses 1-34, Ben-Hadad besieged Samaria and sent messengers to Ahab, calling for a tribute to be paid to him (all his silver, gold, wives, and children).
- Ahab agreed to Ben-hadad’s terms.
- Ben-hadad then said the next day, his men would personally come and take whatever they wanted.
- Ahab spoke to his counselors, and they said not to agree to Ben-hadad’s terms, so Ben-Hadad took up positions against Ahab.
- Ahab did battle with Ben-Hadad twice and defeated Ben-Hadad each time.
- The first victory proclaimed by the Lord was to demonstrate to Ahab that the Lord was God (1 Kings 20:13).
- The second victory was to demonstrate to Ben-Hadad that the Lord was God (1Kings 20:28).
- Ben-hadad agreed to return the cities his father had taken from Ahab’s father (Baasha).
- Ahab made a treaty with Ben-Hadad after the second victory rather than killing him as God had directed.
In verses 35-43, the Lord sent a prophet to confront Ahab for releasing Ben-hadad in opposition to the Lord’s command to destroy him.
- The prophet confronted Ahab describing a similar situation, but Ahab didn’t recognize the situation or the prophet. Because Ahab had spared Ben-hadad, he would die in his place. Because Ahab had spared the people of Ben-hadad, the people of Israel would die.
- Ahab left to return home to Samaria, resentful and angry because of the prophecy against him.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- Elijah experienced a spiritual high, followed by a spiritual low, and significant depression. This is often the case with us as well. We should trust in God and rest in our faith, knowing that God is in control.
- Ahab was such a stubborn hard-hearted leader. God gave him two victories, even though he didn’t deserve it. God brought messages to him from prophets. Yet Ahab was too stubborn and hard-hearted to repent and turn away from his sins, and to the Lord who had just saved him and the people.
- It is easy for us today to get so caught up in our own way that we miss God’s blessings and favor right before us. We can even miss God’s message to us to trust Him and follow Him in faith.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
