1 Kings 20:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, the threatening attack that Ben-hadad made on Ahab’s kingdom, as he besieged Samaria, the royal city (1 Kings 20:1). We are not told what started the quarrel. Covetousness and ambition were the real causes, and those sins can always find some excuse. David had once fully defeated the Syrians and made them pay tribute to Israel, but Israel’s turning away from God made the Syrians strong again. Asa had once invited the Syrians to attack Israel (1 Kings 15:18-20), and now they came of their own will.

It is dangerous to bring foreign armies into the land, because later generations may suffer for it. Ben-hadad came with thirty-two kings, who were either forced to serve him or joined with him as allies. It is a small thing when many little rulers claim the title of king, yet are really no more than petty governors.

Second, we see the treaty between these two kings. Surely Israel’s protection had left them, or else the Syrians could not have marched so easily to Samaria, the center of the nation. Samaria was a newer city, so we may suppose it was not strongly fortified and seemed likely to fall quickly. Both sides knew this. So Ben-hadad’s proud heart sent Ahab a very insulting demand (1 Kings 20:2-3). A messenger was sent into the city to say that Ben-hadad would raise the siege if Ahab became his servant, paid tribute from what he had, and gave over his title, even to the point that his wives and children would belong to Ben-hadad. The wording is meant to sting. In effect, he is saying, “Everything will be mine, with no exceptions.”

Ahab’s weak spirit answers with a shameful surrender. It is general, because he cannot list the details of his giving up with the same pleasure Ben-hadad used in making demands, but it is still complete: “I am yours, and all that I have” (1 Kings 20:4). This shows the effect of sin. If Ahab had not driven God away by his sin, Ben-hadad could not have made such a demand. Sin leaves people without God’s protection, and then enemies can overpower them. If God does not rule us, our enemies will. A rebel against God becomes a slave to everyone else. Ahab had already set apart his silver and gold for Baal (Hosea 2:8), and now it is taken from him justly.

If Ahab had not wounded his own conscience, he could not have made such a low surrender. Guilt weakens people and makes them cowardly. He knew Baal could not help him, and he had no reason to believe God would, so he was ready to buy his life at any cost. He would give up anything to stay alive. He would rather live as a beggar than die as a king.

Then Ben-hadad’s pride grows worse after Ahab submits, and he becomes even more rude and demanding (1 Kings 20:5-6). Ahab had laid everything at his feet and expected some mercy in return. He likely thought that one king would treat another with some generosity, and that this first surrender would be enough to satisfy Ben-hadad for now. But it is not enough. Ben-hadad is as greedy as he is proud, and he will not leave unless he gets possession as well as power. It is not enough for him to claim the goods, he wants them in his hands.

He is also as cruel as he is arrogant. If he had come himself to choose what he wanted, that would at least have shown some respect for a king. Instead, he sends servants to insult Ahab, search the palace, and strip it of its finest things. Worse still, they are to take what Ahab especially values, what is most pleasing in his eyes. We are often hurt most deeply where we are most attached, and what we prize most is often the least safe.

Ben-hadad is also unreasonable, not just unjust. He treats Ahab’s surrender as if it included all his subjects too. He will search not only Ahab’s house, but the houses of his servants as well, and plunder them as he pleases. We should thank God for peace and property, and for the gift of being able to call what we have our own.

Now Ahab’s weak spirit begins to rise a little under this growing insult. He does not become brave, but he does become desperate, and he would rather risk his life than give up everything. He asks his advisers for help, and they encourage him to resist. He speaks in a weak way at first (1 Kings 20:7), asking whether Ben-hadad is not acting unfairly and seeking harm. What else could he expect from a man who had attacked his country and surrounded his capital without any reason? Ahab admits that he had already given way to him before, and he asks what he should do now. They answer boldly: “Do not listen to him or agree” (1 Kings 20:8). No doubt they promised to stand with him if he refused.

Even so, Ahab’s refusal is very humble in its wording (1 Kings 20:9). He admits Ben-hadad’s power over him, saying in effect, “Tell my lord the king that I do not mean to insult him or take back what I have already surrendered. I will keep to my first offer, but I cannot do this. I must not give what is not mine.” It must have stung Ben-hadad that even a man as weak as Ahab dared to say no. Still, it seems Ahab would not have answered this way unless his people had encouraged him.

Ben-hadad then swears proudly that Samaria will be destroyed. His anger, checked for a moment, now boils over and makes a great noise. In his fury he calls on his useless gods, saying that if the dust of Samaria were not enough for handfuls for all his army, then may those gods deal with him (1 Kings 20:10). He boasts of such a vast and determined army that taking Samaria would be as easy as lifting a handful of dust. He thinks he will carry everything off, even the ground beneath the city. Pride makes him sure, and malice makes him cruel. All of this is setting him up for ruin, though neither he nor his people deserve the pleasure of seeing him fall.

Ahab answered him with a mild rebuke for his bold confidence. He did not dare to openly challenge Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, but only reminded him how uncertain war can be (1 Kings 20:11). In effect, he said, “Let the man who starts a war and puts on his sword, armor, and battle gear not boast as if victory were already his, as if he had already taken off his armor and come home triumphant.”

This was one of the wisest things Ahab ever said, and it is a useful reminder for all of us. It is foolish to brag about any day before it comes, because we do not know what it will bring forth (Proverbs 27:1). That is even more true of a day of battle, which may turn against us instead of for us. It is also unwise to look down on an enemy, because overconfidence is often the path to defeat.

We can apply this to our spiritual battles too. Peter fell because he was too confident in himself. While we are still in this life, we are only putting on our armor, so we must never act as if the fight is already over. Happy is the person who always fears God and stays alert.