- Benhadad besieges Samaria.
(1Ki.20:1-11)
- Benhadad's defeat.
(1Ki.20:12-21)
- The Syrians again defeated.
(1Ki.20:22-30)
- Ahab makes peace with
Benhadad. (1Ki.20:31-43)
Vs. 1-11 Benhadad
besieges Samaria.
Benhadad sent
Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful
submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them
out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our
enemies shall: guilt dispirits men, and makes them cowards.
Ahab became desperate. Men will part with their most pleasant
things, those they most love, to save their lives; yet they
lose their souls rather than part with any pleasure or
interest to prevent it. Here is one of the wisest sayings that
ever Ahab spake, and it is a good lesson to all. It is folly
to boast of any day to come, since we know not what it may
bring forth. Apply it to our spiritual conflicts. Peter fell
by self-confidence. Happy is the man who is never off his
watch.
Vs. 12-21 Benhadad's
defeat.
The proud
Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were
conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered
his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites.
Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous.
Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes
one wicked man a scourge to another.
Vs. 22-30
The Syrians again defeated
Those about
Benhadad advised him to change his ground. They take it for
granted that it was not Israel, but Israel's gods, that beat
them; but they speak very ignorantly of Jahweh. They supposed
that Israel had many gods, to whom they ascribed limited power
within a certain district; thus vain were the Gentiles in
their imaginations concerning God. The greatest wisdom in
worldly concerns is often united with the most contemptible
folly in the things of God.
Vs. 31-43
Ahab makes peace with Benhadad.
This
encouragement sinners have to repent and humble themselves
before God; Have we not heard, that the God of Israel is a
merciful God? Have we not found him so? That is gospel
repentance, which flows from an apprehension of the mercy of
God, in Christ; there is forgiveness with him. What a change
is here! The most haughty in prosperity often are most abject
in adversity; an evil spirit will thus affect a man in both
these conditions. There are those on whom, like Ahab, success
is ill bestowed; they know not how to serve either God or
their generation, or even their own true interests with their
prosperity: Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not
learn righteousness. The prophet designed to reprove Ahab by a
parable. If a good prophet were punished for sparing his
friend and God's when God said, Smite, of much sorer
punishment should a wicked king be thought worthy, who spared
his enemy and God's, when God said, Smite. Ahab went to his
house, heavy and displeased, not truly penitent, or seeking to
undo what he had done amiss; every way out of humor,
notwithstanding his victory. Alas! many that hear the glad
tidings of Christ, are busy and there till the day of
salvation is gone.
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