The Battle Is the Lord'sExemplo

King Ahab could not escape God’s judgment

King Ahab was a wicked and idolatrous Israelite king. Several times, he was confronted and warned by the prophet Elijah. Although Ahab sometimes humbled himself for a while to show that he was sorry, he did not really repent of his wickedness and considered Elijah “his enemy”. The Bible comments that “there was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab” (1 Kings 21:25).

One day, Elijah had to announce that King Ahab would die a horrible and shameful death and that he and his descendants would be eaten by dogs and the birds of heaven. Sometime later, Ahab planned a battle against the Syrians. A prophet of the Lord warned him that this battle would end in a disaster, but Ahab ignored his words. He disguised himself so that the Syrians would not notice him. His trick succeeded, but he could not escape God’s judgment. “A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate.” King Ahab died and the dogs licked up his blood, “according to the word of the Lord.” This story makes it clear that ignoring God’s warnings is a stupid thing to do!