A plain with many thousands of dead men upon it tells only too plainly of the fierceness of a recent battle. In the distance the rear of the enemy’s force with its hosts of captives and great quantities of spoil may still be seen. Flushed with victory, they soon reach the walls of their country’s capital. The shouts of triumph from without are echoed by the citizens within.
But who steps forth and in tones that must be heard and pleads for the captives? Who moves the chiefs of the city to close the gates until these are set free? To whom does the victor thus tamely submit and give up the spoil so dearly won? For see, the naked are clothed, the wounded are cared for, the feeble are mounted on horses, and the sometime foes, now friends, conduct them safely homeward.
See if you can remember this story and then read it again in 1 Kings 20.
ML-02/18/1979