Ahab's entire reign was characterized by his refusal to listen to or obey the word of the Lord. He hated the true prophets of the Lord who told him the truth. Like the Emperor with no clothes, he loved his own prophets who told him what he wanted to hear. The only time Ahab truly listened to God, was when Ben-Hadad taunted him and demanded a ransom Ahab could not pay. God promised him victory against Ben-Hadad's vast armies even though Israel was greatly outnumbered. The Israelites camped opposite them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside. (1Kings 20:27 NIV) God's power was at work when, as prophesied, the two small flocks of goats defeated the army that covered the countryside. Of course, contrary to what God told Ahab, he let Ben-Hadad live and even negotiated a treaty with him proving that a leopard cannot change his spots.
Ahab so stubbornly refused to listen to God's prophets that even when he was told that disaster would come at Ramoth Gilead, he proceeded at the advice of his own prophets. Even sending Jehoshaphat king of Judah into the battle dressed as king and donning a disguise himself, could not save Ahab. He died and they washed the blood from his chariot at the well where the prostitutes bathed. Which was fitting in itself, since he had been prostituting himself throughout his entire reign.
Even today, we would do well to distinguish between those who would prophesy out of their own self interest and those who truly hear the voice of the Lord. One will ultimately lead us to disaster, while the voice of God may not be the words we want to hear, but it will be truth.
2010 Post - 1 Kings 20-22: Sullen and Angry
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