What can we learn about pride from Ben-hadad's actions in 1 Kings 20:1? Setting the Scene “Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Thirty-two kings were with him, along with horses and chariots. And he advanced, besieged Samaria, and fought against it.” A Snapshot of Pride in Action • Ben-hadad “assembled his entire army” – He marshals every resource as though victory is certain. • “Thirty-two kings were with him” – He flaunts alliances and influence, displaying sheer numerical power. • He “advanced, besieged Samaria, and fought against it” – He initiates aggression, assuming the right to conquer God’s covenant people without provocation. What Pride Looks Like • Self-reliance over God-reliance – Psalm 20:7 reminds us, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Ben-hadad’s confidence rests on armies, not the Almighty. • Inflated sense of invincibility – Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Verse 1 foreshadows his coming downfall. • Public display of superiority – The parade of thirty-two kings magnifies his ego. Pride loves an audience. Consequences Foreshadowed Although verse 1 only sets the stage, Scripture consistently links pride with judgment: • Isaiah 14:13-15 – The fall of Lucifer begins with “I will…” statements of pride. • Daniel 4:30-33 – Nebuchadnezzar’s boast ends in temporary insanity. • James 4:6 – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Ben-hadad’s later defeat in this chapter confirms the pattern. Lessons for Us Today • Examine where we trust in “horses and chariots” (status, wealth, networks) instead of God. • Remember that public applause can mask spiritual vulnerability. • Take warning: unchecked pride plants the seeds of our own undoing. Walking in the Opposite Spirit • Cultivate humility (Philippians 2:3). • Seek God’s counsel first (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Celebrate God’s victories, not our own (Psalm 115:1). |
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