1 Kings 20:13-22 – Strategy for victory

Although Ahab plucked up his courage to resist Ben-hadad’s advance, God knew he needed help. Bear in mind that Ben-hadad had a coalition of 32 kings that laid siege on Samaria. God, after all, was still Israel’s gracious God. For the sake of His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He cannot sit still and do nothing. Besides, his goal was to make known to the wayward Ahab that He was still Israel’s Covenant God. Israel’s defeat would also affect His reputation.

So in the time of Ahad’s uncertainty, God sent an unknown prophet with a positive message for him, assuring him of victory. He was giving Ahab yet another opportunity to mend the relationship and make good his life. Just think of the grace of God, even though Ahab did not seek him or ask for help, God sent one to him. The prophet’s arrival firstly must have brought some hope and animated him. Secondly, he gave him a plan on how to overcome the army of Ben-hadad. Ahab asked a very unusual question to the prophet. He wanted to know who should start the battle. “You” came the reply. God expected him to start the battle. This strategy was to catch the enemy by surprise.

The strategy God gave was first to send a group of young men out to distract the Syrians. It was followed by the surprise attack by Ahab’s army. They also had the advantage because Ben-hadad and his coalition of 32 kings were having a drunken binge. In that battle, the Syrians were defeated. Verse 20 -21 describe it this way. “They (the Israelites) killed each his man, and the Arameans fled, and Israel pursued them, and Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on a horse with horsemen. The king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots, and killed the Arameans with a great slaughter.” Ahab had won a decisive victory. However, he was not to rest on his laurel. The prophet warned him and told him to be prepared for another battle in spring.

The obvious lesson concerning spiritual warfare is that we must trust God. He will make available people to assist us in the battle. And when we have won a battle don’t rest on our laurel. The enemy of our soul will always seek another opportune time to attack us again. We must always be ready for the battle ahead. It was General Sun Tzu who said, “Know yourself, know your enemy, a thousand battles, a thousand victories.” And might we add a more important factor – “Know your God”!