Ahab Killed in Battle

 

1 Kings 22:29-40

 

August 10, 2021

 

 

Ahab Killed in Battle

So, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.   Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.”  And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is surely the king of Israel.” So, they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out.   And when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.   But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore, he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.”   And the battle continued that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until at evening he died. And the blood of the wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot.   And about sunset, a cry went through the army, “Every man to his city, and every man to his country!”

So, the king died and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria.   And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken.   Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, and the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?   So, Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.

 

I’m not sure what you would have done when Ahab told Jehoshaphat to you wear you’re your robes and will disguise myself, but I would have taken my army and gone home.  I’m sure when Jehoshaphat had all the 32 captains of the king of Syria only coming for him, he was sure that he messed up big time.  And as soon as the captains understood he was not Ahab they back off. 

 

Was this not the hand of God, for Ahab, was disguised and, in the battle, and Scriptures tell us; “But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate.”  How often are we thanking our disguise will work, we know what God has said in His word, but no one will find out, but God always has a certain man who at random shoots us down, and exposes our sin.

 

And like Ahab, all that the Lord has spoken will take place, be sure your sins will find you out.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice