4.8 1 Kings 20-22

Robert Buckhannon

4.8.2020

1 Kings 20-22

Summary: You can think of these three chapters as the season finale of King Ahab’s 22 year reign. The episode opens with the King of Syria declaring war on Israel. King Ahab comes back some choice words “Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off” [mic drop] and by God’s hand Syria is beaten back. Syria comes back the next spring and is defeated again; but like most kings, ya done messed up A-Ahab by not totally destroying them. Then Ahab spirals out of control with the help of his wife Jezebel and has a man murdered so he can build a garden. Despite his bad attitude, when confronted by the prophet Elijah about the incident he humbles himself in honest repentance only to return to his wicked ways going down in history as one of the worst kings. After a few more encounters with some interesting prophets, Ahab dies on the battle field fighting with Syria.

Key Verse: 1 Kings 22:7But Jehoshaphat said “Is there not another prophet of the lord of whom we can inquire?” 

How does what your read change your vision of God? God is not in the business of hardening hearts to dole out punishment. Ahab repented (momentarily) at the words of a honest prophet and God relented. God initiated with Ahab by sending multiple prophets and messengers so why would I doubt he would initiate with the hard hearted people around me? Maybe he wants me to be the prophet too.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others? I’m not excited to be the prophet who gets punched in the face for speaking God’s word into people’s lives. I need to be willing to get hurt for God and his will. I need to trust him with my life.

How will you go with God because of this reading? I will pray for a soft and humble heart for myself and those around me so we listen to God’s word instead of brushing it off.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? Two spots! Jehoshaphat is always trying to inquire of the Lord. Jesus always did what the Father wanted him to say or do. Also, many good prophets were hurt by who they were sent to. Jesus received the same treatment.