1 Kings 20 -- Some People NEVER Learn

Syria surrounded Samaria to attack it.  They needed the trade route through the country because Assyria had captured the northern trade route.  The Syrian (Aramean) king demanded all of Ahab’s silver and gold, as well as the best of his wives and kids (I’ll bet he wouldn’t take Jezebel!).  And Ahab agreed!  But then the Syrian king pushed too far, demanding that his soldiers could take anything they wanted from the palace.  Ahab’s refusal caused the Syrians to prepare to attack.

 

God still wanted Ahab to return to Him and acknowledge that He is God, so He sent word to Ahab, telling him how to defeat this king.  Ahab believed and led his army, wiping out the foe.  God also sent word for him to strengthen his army for a spring attack.  Before long, the attack came, but Ahab, with God’s help, wiped out that army as well!  But rather than killing the Syrian king as God had commanded, Ahab agreed to a land swap and a trade agreement!  So a young prophet dressed as a wounded soldier put himself before the king, tricking him into naming his own punishment just as Nathan had done with David.  God told him:  “You freed the man I said should die, so your life will be taken instead of his.”  All Ahab could do was return home and pout.

 

My commentary said that “what the enemy couldn’t accomplish with their weapons, they accomplished with their deception.”  Satan works the same way.  “If he can’t succeed as the lion who devours, he will come as a serpent who deceives.”

 

Father, help me to be acutely aware of Satan’s deceits.  Let me not fall for them.  Help me to see that in You alone is the truth.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford