When Ben-Hadad king of Aram threatened Samaria, Ahab felt he had no strength to oppose him, so he offered to surrender. But when Ben-Hadad then came back with more unreasonable demands, Ahab and his advisors decided to fight back. Ahab and Ben-Hadad then exchanged threats, though Ahab had no true confidence. This event shows the typical nature of human conflict and politics.

At this time the Lord intervened through a prophet and promised to help Ahab defeat Ben-Hadad’s army. Ahab did not deserve this grace because of how he and Jezebel persecuted the Lord’s prophets, but the Lord did it so that Ahab would learn that the Lord is God, and repent. Ahab was humble enough to ask for the prophet’s directions, and by means of the Lord’s strategy Ahab inflicted heavy losses on Ben-Hadad.

Let’s pray that we may live both courageously and wisely today by listening to good advice from those the Lord sends us. It can make a victory possible where it seemed impossible.
Application: Father, thank you for those you graciously send to help me. Help me humbly accept help and win the victory for your name’s sake.
One Word: Listen to counsel and be courageous