Ahab’s Victory Over Syria

INTRODUCTION: Ahab wins two major battles over Benhadad of Syria. But he does not learn to finish the job. God gave him victories for His own glory but promised to bring judgment on Ahab for his neglect.

1. BENHADADS PLAN TO PLUNDER SAMARIA (1 Kings 20:1-11)
1. Benhadads Siege of Samaria (1 Kings 20:1)
1. He gathered his host together.
1. Including 32 kings
2. Including horses and chariots
2. He warred against Samaria.
2. Benhadads First Demand (1 Kings 20:2-4)
1. His demand (1 Kings 20:2-3)
1. His wealth
2. His family
2. Ahabs consent (1 Kings 20:4)
1. He offered himself.
2. He offered all that he had.
3. Benhadads Second Demand (1 Kings 20:5-6)
1. He claimed the first demand (1 Kings 20:5).
2. He would send servants to take all that was pleasant to Ahab (1 Kings 20:6).
4. Benhadads Demands Rejected (1 Kings 20:7-9)
1. Ahab consulted with the elders of the land (1 Kings 20:7).
2. The elders advised Ahab to refuse Benhadads demands (1 Kings 20:8).
3. Ahab refused to meet Benhadads second demand (1 Kings 20:9).
5. Benhadads Threat Against Israel (1 Kings 20:10-11)
1. Benhadad promised to reduce Samaria to handfuls of dust (1 Kings 20:10).
2. Ahab warned Benhadad of hasty boasting (1 Kings 20:11).
2. AHABS MIRACULOUS VICTORY OVER SYRIA (1 Kings 20:12-21)
1. Benhadad Prepared to Attack Samaria (1 Kings 20:12).
1. He received the news while drinking with the other kings.
2. He commanded his servants to set themselves in array against Samaria.
2. A Prophet Promised Deliverance (1 Kings 20:13-14).
1. God promised to deliver for His own glory (1 Kings 20:13).
2. God used the properly chosen leadership (1 Kings 20:14).
1. The princes to lead the battle
2. Ahab to order the battle
3. The Men of Israel Approached Syria (1 Kings 20:15-16).
1. The men of Israel followed the princes (1 Kings 20:15).
2. They numbered 7,000 men (1 Kings 20:15).
3. Benhadad and his kings were drunk (1 Kings 20:16).
4. Benhadad Ordered the Men Taken Alive (1 Kings 20:17-18).
5. The Men of Israel Defeated the Syrians (1 Kings 20:19-21).
3. AHABS SECOND VICTORY OVER SYRIA (1 Kings 20:22-30)
1. The Prophet Warned Ahab of Another Battle (1 Kings 20:22).
2. The Syrians Prepared for a New Battle (1 Kings 20:23-25).
1. They planned to fight in the plain (1 Kings 20:23). Note: They saw the God of Israel as only a God of the hills.
2. They replaced the political leaders [kings] with military leaders [captains] (1 Kings 20:24).
3. They built their army back to its original strength (1 Kings 20:25).
3. The Syrians Came Up Against Israel (1 Kings 20:26-27).
4. The Man of God Promised a Great Victory (1 Kings 20:28).
1. The Lord took notice of the Syrians opinion of His ability.
2. He promised to give the victory for His own glory.
5. The Israelites Defeated the Syrians (1 Kings 20:29-30).
1. The Israelite army numbered 7,000.
2. They fought on the seventh day (1 Kings 20:29).
3. They slew 100,000 Syrian footmen (1 Kings 20:29).
4. The remaining Syrians fled to Aphek (1 Kings 20:30), a historical stronghold of the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1; 1 Samuel 29:1).
5. A wall fell on the 27,000 men that were left (1 Kings 20:30).
6. Benhadad hid in the city in an inner chamber (1 Kings 20:30).
4. AHABS COVENANT WITH BENHADAD (1 Kings 20:31-34)
1. The Servants of Benhadad Sought Mercy (1 Kings 20:31-32).
2. Ahab Treated Benhadad as a Brother (1 Kings 20:32-33).
3. Benhadad Made Promises to Ahab (1 Kings 20:34).
5. GODS JUDGMENT ON AHABS NEGLIGENCE (1 Kings 20:35-43)
1. A Prophet Required Himself to be Smitten (1 Kings 20:35-37).
1. A prophet asked to be smitten in the word of the LORD (1 Kings 20:35).
2. The first man (1 Kings 20:35-56)
1. He refused to smite him (1 Kings 20:35).
2. He was cursed because of his disobedience (1 Kings 20:36).
3. He was killed by a lion (1 Kings 20:36).
3. The second man (1 Kings 20:37)
1. He smote the prophet.
2. He wounded the prophet.
2. The Prophet Disguised Himself Before Ahab (1 Kings 20:38-40).
1. He disguised himself and waited for the king (1 Kings 20:38).
2. He told a story of losing a prisoner in his charge (1 Kings 20:39-40).
1. He was told to Keep this man (1 Kings 20:39).
2. He was to do so for his own life (1 Kings 20:39).
3. The man escaped while he was busy here and there (1 Kings 20:40).
3. Ahab judged against the man (1 Kings 20:40). Note: We are often ready to apply standards to others that we are not willing to apply to ourselves.
3. The Prophet Pronounced Judgment on Ahab (1 Kings 20:41-43).
1. He quickly revealed his true identity (1 Kings 20:41).
2. He proclaimed judgment on Ahab and the people (1 Kings 20:42).
1. The Lord had delivered Benhadad to him.
2. Ahab had let him go.
3. Ahab went to his house heavy and displeased (1 Kings 20:43).

CONCLUSION: Ahab gets the victory, but fails to complete the task when he allows Benhadad to go free. Instead of returning to his home with rejoicing, he returns heavy and displeased.