Chapter 176. 1 Kings 20: 30-43. Ben-hadad. (Continued)
When Ben-hadad saw his army completely defeated by the Israelites, he fled to Aphek with the rest of his army of twenty-seven thousand men. But God’s judgment pursued them there and caused a wall to fall on them to kill them. Benhadad, looking for a hiding place, went from place to place till he found an inner chamber where he hid. He was at the mercy of the King of Israel; what would become of him? How could he save his life? His servants thought they might work on the sympathy of their enemy, and putting on sackcloth and ropes around their necks, they went to Ahab saying, “Thy servant, Ben-hadad, saith, I pray thee, let me live.” They were watching the king closely to catch his thought whether Ben-hadad had a chance to live or not. “Is he yet alive?” inquired Ahab, “he is my brother.” “Thy brother, Benhadad,” quickly answered the men. “Go and bring him,” and when he came the king took him in his chariot.
What was it to Ahab that Ben-hadad was an idolater, that he had defied God? What was God to him who himself worshiped false gods? He had no fear of God before his eyes; why should he then punish the enemy of the Lord? He was quite indifferent as to what was due to God. He was willing to receive from Him every blessing, but was ungrateful. This wonderful deliverance and victory he knew came directly from God, and was given in order that he might once more see His power, and fear Him. But it had no effect on Ahab’s hardened heart. Ahab and Ben-hadad in the chariot together could discuss their conditions of peace altogether apart from God. You shall have back the cities which my father took from your father, said Ben-hadad, and you shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, just as my father made in Samaria for himself. Then Ahab said he could go on this condition, and so they parted.
But God had something to say to Ahab as to this. He “is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” but He is a holy God, and must punish sin. A prophet, sent of God, met Ahab on the way and said to him, “Thus saith the Lord, because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore, thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people!”
O, that we might realize more the solemnity of having to do with God! He is now giving sinners the opportunity to be saved through Jesus Christ His Son. He offers now, a full pardon to everyone who will come to Him through that blessed Saviour, but “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3).)
ML 04/15/1917