Ahab was prepared to accede to Ben-hadad’s first
demand. But the latter’s second demand was too much. He asked to be given access
to loot both the palace and the homes of Ahab’s srvants. Because this was too
humiliating even for the cowardly Ahab to take, so he changed his mind and
decided to resist.
So
in 1 Kings 20:7-12, Ahab called together all the elders of the land and
solicited their opinion. Explaining the unreasonableness of Ben-hadad, he
complained to the elders saying, “Please observe and see how this man is
looking for trouble; for he sent to me for my wives and my children and my
silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.” Though he did not
make known to the elders the latest demands of the king of Aram, the elders
already felt it was too much. So in unison, they all felt that he should not
allow the king of Aram to step all over him. They told him not to cave in to
his demand.
Since
he had the backing of the elders, his reply to Ben-hadad’s
messengers was, “All that you sent for to your servant at the first I will do,
but this thing I cannot do.” Meaning his later demands were too much
and he would not accede to them. So the messengers departed and reported
to Ben-hadad, who boastfully replied, “May the gods do so to me and more
also if the dust of Samaria will suffice for handfuls for all the people
who follow me.” Defiantly, Ahab then told Ben-hadad not to make his
empty boast. So Ben-hadad told him to be prepared for war. The
problem with Ben-hadad however, was that he was drunk. He and his men had been
drinking. Being drunk, he was in the worst position to make demands. The king
of Aram must have thought that with his larger force, he could easily
intimidate Ahab and force him to yield.
What
is the lesson that we can draw from these verses? Like Ben-hadad, the enemy of
our soul also has an insatiable appetite to claim all that belong to us. If we
give in without a fight, he will intimidate and demand more from us. We must
not give him even an inch. If we do, he will try to take more than a yard. He
will attempt to take a mile. We must tug Ephesians 6:10 in our hearts. We learn
to stay and stand “…strong in the Lord and in the strength of His
might.” We must stay committed to Jesus Christ and trust Him to take us
through our spiritual conflict victoriously. Like a true Christian soldier,
let us march on to victory, as the lyrics of the following hymn so assuredly
promised:
Onward, Christian
soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believed, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never against that church prevail;
We have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
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