How does 1 Kings 20:35 connect to other instances of prophetic obedience? Setting the scene • 1 Kings 20:35 – “By the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, ‘Strike me, please.’ But the man refused to strike him.” • The command comes “by the word of the LORD,” leaving no doubt that obeying or disobeying is a direct response to God Himself. • In the larger narrative (vv. 37-43), the wounded disguise becomes the prophet’s object lesson for King Ahab’s failure to put Ben-hadad to death. Prophetic obedience on display: 1 Kings 20:35-36 • The first man’s refusal to strike seems reasonable yet is blatant disobedience to God’s clear word. • Immediate judgment follows: “Then the prophet said to him, ‘Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD… a lion will kill you.’ And as soon as he left, a lion found him and killed him” (v. 36). • A second companion obeys (v. 37). His painful compliance enables the prophetic message to reach Ahab unhindered. Thread of obedience running through Scripture • 1 Kings 13:21-24 – Another prophet disobeys specific travel instructions and is likewise killed by a lion. The parallel underscores that prophetic commands are non-negotiable. • Ezekiel 4:4-8 – Ezekiel lies on his side 390 days, then 40 days, to portray Israel’s and Judah’s judgment. No complaint, only obedience. • Isaiah 20:2-4 – Isaiah walks “naked and barefoot” for three years to prefigure Egypt’s shame. Obedience overrides personal dignity. • Hosea 1:2-3 – Hosea marries Gomer, “a wife of prostitution,” dramatizing Israel’s unfaithfulness. Another costly but willing obedience. • Jeremiah 32:6-15 – While Jerusalem is under siege, Jeremiah buys a field to demonstrate future restoration. Faith drives obedience in impossible circumstances. • Luke 5:4-11 – Peter lets down the nets “at Your word” and witnesses a miraculous catch, illustrating how obedience releases God’s power. Consequences of obedience and disobedience • Disobedience brings swift judgment (1 Kings 20:36; 1 Kings 13:24). • Obedience, though painful or puzzling, positions the prophet as a faithful mouthpiece and advances God’s redemptive plan (Isaiah 55:11). • God vindicates obedient prophets—Ezekiel’s sign-acts, Isaiah’s witness, Hosea’s marriage—all accomplished exactly what God intended (Numbers 23:19). What we learn today • God’s instructions may appear unreasonable, yet they are always purposeful and authoritative. • Partial or delayed obedience is disobedience; God expects wholehearted compliance (1 Samuel 15:22). • Prophetic acts, whether dramatic or simple, authenticate the spoken word and reveal God’s unchanging character. • The link between 1 Kings 20:35 and other passages is clear: true servants of God prize obedience above comfort, reputation, or personal logic, trusting that “the word of the LORD stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). |
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