What does 1 Kings 20:3 teach about the importance of seeking God’s guidance? Setting the scene • Ben-hadad, king of Aram, surrounds Samaria with a vast army (1 Kings 20:1-2). • He sends this ultimatum to King Ahab: “ ‘Your silver and gold are mine,’ replied Ben-hadad, ‘and so are the best of your wives and children.’ ” (1 Kings 20:3). • Ahab immediately answers, “Just as you say, my lord the king, I and all I have are yours” (v. 4). • Not once does Ahab pause to ask what the LORD wants him to do. What the verse reveals about neglecting God’s guidance • Instant capitulation: Ahab assumes human diplomacy will keep him safe. • No prayer, no prophet sought, no altar built—only fear-driven surrender. • The result? Ben-hadad’s demands escalate (vv. 5-6). Compromise without God breeds deeper bondage. Why seeking God’s guidance is essential • Only God sees the whole battlefield. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8). • Human wisdom caves under intimidation; divine wisdom stiffens resolve (James 1:5). • God had already declared that Israel belonged to Him (Exodus 19:5). Handing over wives, children, and treasure ignored covenant realities. God’s intervention once sought • After Ahab’s panicked agreements, “a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and said, ‘This is what the LORD says: Do you see this vast army? Watch, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you will know that I am the LORD’ ” (1 Kings 20:13). • When Ahab finally follows the prophetic battle plan, Israel wins (vv. 19-21, 29). • The contrast highlights how different the outcome is when God’s counsel is heeded. Lessons to carry forward • Threats and pressure expose whether we lean on God or ourselves. • The first response matters: turn to the LORD before conceding anything. • God’s word equips us to resist demands that violate His covenant (Ephesians 6:17). • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Putting it into practice • Pause, pray, and open Scripture at the first sign of intimidation. • Test every demand, opportunity, or crisis against God’s revealed will. • Invite mature believers to hold you accountable to what God says, not what fear dictates. • Expect God to act when you stand on His guidance; He delights to defend His people (2 Chronicles 16:9). |
    |