Slices
Prepare
‘You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word’ (Psalm 119:114). If you are feeling embattled today, picture God standing between you and whatever it is that threatens you.
Bible passage
Ben-Hadad attacks Samaria
20 Now Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he went up and besieged Samaria and attacked it. 2 He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, saying, ‘This is what Ben-Hadad says: 3 “Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.”’
4 The king of Israel answered, ‘Just as you say, my lord the king. I and all I have are yours.’
5 The messengers came again and said, ‘This is what Ben-Hadad says: “I sent to demand your silver and gold, your wives and your children. 6 But about this time tomorrow I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will seize everything you value and carry it away.”’
7 The king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said to them, ‘See how this man is looking for trouble! When he sent for my wives and my children, my silver and my gold, I did not refuse him.’
8 The elders and the people all answered, ‘Don’t listen to him or agree to his demands.’
9 So he replied to Ben-Hadad’s messengers, ‘Tell my lord the king, “Your servant will do all you demanded the first time, but this demand I cannot meet.”’ They left and took the answer back to Ben-Hadad.
10 Then Ben-Hadad sent another message to Ahab: ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if enough dust remains in Samaria to give each of my men a handful.’
11 The king of Israel answered, ‘Tell him: “One who puts on his armour should not boast like one who takes it off.”’
12 Ben-Hadad heard this message while he and the kings were drinking in their tents, and he ordered his men: ‘Prepare to attack.’ So they prepared to attack the city.
Ahab defeats Ben-Hadad
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.”’
14 ‘But who will do this?’ asked Ahab.
The prophet replied, ‘This is what the Lord says: “The junior officers under the provincial commanders will do it.”’
‘And who will start the battle?’ he asked.
The prophet answered, ‘You will.’
15 So Ahab summoned the 232 junior officers under the provincial commanders. Then he assembled the rest of the Israelites, 7,000 in all. 16 They set out at noon while Ben-Hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk. 17 The junior officers under the provincial commanders went out first.
Now Ben-Hadad had dispatched scouts, who reported, ‘Men are advancing from Samaria.’
18 He said, ‘If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive.’
19 The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind them 20 and each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen. 21 The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans.
Explore
With a coalition of 32 kings of city states, Ben-Hadad was supremely confident that he would get whatever he wanted. Verses 2 to 12 are a chilling example of the way a powerful nation with many allies plays at diplomacy, increasing their demands until war is inevitable. What happened in 850 bc happens still today!
Even though Ahab did not seek God in this national moment of crisis, God in his mercy sends a messenger. God uses this as a teaching moment for Ahab (v 13).God could have struck the Aramean army down with a word, but he chooses to involve Ahab and his army. And that meant that Ahab had to listen and obey.
God still does the impossible, bringing about change and justice by working through those who will obey his call. We are prone to taking the credit rather than giving God the glory. Maybe that is why God is so specific about the battle (vs 13,14). It is not skill or experience that matters, but the power of God at work as the people obey (vs 19–21).
Respond
Are you facing a situation that appears overwhelming? Ask the Lord for his perspective on your situation, for wisdom on the steps you need to take next and for the determination to obey.
Deeper Bible study
‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but … against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’1
Where is God in this situation? We need to stay aware of the big story of God’s purposes. We won’t find all the answers, but look out for clues and God-perspectives. Having seen the behaviour of Israel’s kings, especially Ahab’s, God’s intervention on his people’s behalf may seem surprising, but it wasn’t time for the northern kingdom to fall yet. Samaria (Ahab’s capital) is threatened by enemies from Aram, led by Ben-Hadad (probably Ben-Hadad II). A war of words ensues (vs 1–12). It’s hard to distinguish at first between arrogant posturing, sarcastic words and serious intent: ‘Yes, you can have all my wives (the best ones) and wealth!’ (see vs 3,4). Then it dawns on Ahab, ‘this man is looking for trouble’! Ben‑Hadad’s serious (even if drunken, v 12) threats prompt a provocative ‘Don’t count your chickens’ response (v 11). At this point, God intervenes (vs 13,14). Despite Ahab’s evil activities, God sometimes speaks directly to him, pursuing his recognition (‘then you will know …’ v 13). For a moment, ahab expresses his need of God’s direction and readiness to obey (v 14).
Of course, Ben-Hadad’s vast army are not simply engaging in a sport of kings, they are challenging God and his people. The Lord, speaking through his prophet, leads the way (vs 13,14). Humanly, the odds were in the Aramaeans’ favour. In God’s story, Israel’s soldiers were relatively few; the individuals chosen to fight were low-ranking provincials (v 19). Assumptions on Ben-Hadad’s part (v 18) perhaps betray a proud presumption of victory and preparation for peace, but there will be no mercy on Israel’s side (vs 18–21)! The Aramaean forces are decimated and their king, Ben-Hadad, flees (v 20). God is on his people’s side. Get ready for the next battle (v 22)!
What battles are you fighting at the moment? Where is God in this? Be quiet for a few moments, asking him to show you his way ahead.
1 Eph 6:12
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 8,9; Psalm 102
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