1 Kings

1 Kings 20: The LORD gives the victory

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the battle at Samaria, let us come before the Lord as one family. Ask Him to show us that He is the LORD, and to show us the Lord Jesus, who won the victory over sin and death.

Sing praises to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

Psalm 47:6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You gave Israel the victory so that Ahab would know You are the LORD, and help us to trust You and Your Son, Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, gathers his army, with thirty-two kings, and besieges Samaria. He demands Ahab's silver, gold, wives and children, and Ahab agrees to all but the last demand. A prophet tells Ahab that the LORD will deliver the great multitude into his hand, so that Ahab will know that He is the LORD. The young men go out first, and Israel defeats the Syrians, and Ben-Hadad escapes on a horse. At Aphek a wall falls on twenty-seven thousand men, and Ahab spares Ben-Hadad, so a prophet tells Ahab that his own life will be taken.

As you read 1 Kings 20, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gave Israel the victory, so that Ahab would know that He is the LORD.

Ben-Hadad of Syria came against Samaria with thirty-two kings and demanded Ahab's silver, gold, wives and children (verses 1 to 3). A prophet came to Ahab with the LORD's word (verse 13). The LORD would give the great multitude into his hand, so that Ahab would know that He is the LORD. The young men of the governors went out first, and Israel struck the Syrians down (verses 15 to 21). The Syrians said the LORD was a god of the hills, so they would fight on the plain (verses 23 to 25). The LORD answered the Syrians' claim, and again He promised Ahab that he would know that He is the LORD (verse 28). Israel struck down a hundred thousand Syrians in a day, and a wall fell on twenty-seven thousand more (verses 29 and 30). Ahab spared Ben-Hadad and made a treaty with him, so a prophet said Ahab's own life would be taken (verses 31 to 42). The victory came from the LORD, and God gives His people victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15 verse 57).

How does 1 Kings 20 show us that the LORD gave Israel the victory, so that Ahab would know that He is the LORD?

The LORD gave Israel the victory.

The LORD said He would give the great army into Ahab's hand (verse 13). Israel's army looked like two little flocks of goats, while the Syrians filled the country (verse 27). Israel struck down a hundred thousand Syrians in one day (verse 29).

The LORD makes Himself known to Ahab.

The LORD's purpose was that Ahab would know that He is the LORD (verses 13 and 28). The Syrians thought the LORD was a god of the hills only (verse 23). The LORD showed that He rules in the valleys as well as in the hills (verse 28).

Jesus wins the final victory.

Israel's victory over Syria was the LORD's gift (verse 28). Paul thanked God, who gives the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15 verse 57). Jesus rose from the dead, and death does not have the last word over His people.

Memorise

I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am Yahweh.

1 Kings 20:28

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I know that the LORD is God, and have I trusted His Son?

The LORD gave Israel the victory so that Ahab would know that He is the LORD, and Ahab went home sullen and angry. Jesus is the One who won the last victory, over sin and death, and every heart needs it.

He won it at the cross, where He took the wrath of God against sin on Himself for His people. They laid Him in a tomb, and on the third day God raised Him. Death is beaten, and the victory is fully His.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. Ahab knew who the LORD was and would not turn. Do not harden your heart. Everyone who trusts Him is made clean and given the victory over sin and death.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gave Israel the victory, and that Jesus has won the victory over sin and death. Parents, you may want to explain verses 31 to 42 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is the LORD and gives the victory, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand.

Psalm 20:6

Father, thank You that You gave Israel the victory so that Ahab would know You are the LORD. Thank You for Jesus, who won the victory over sin and death. Turn each of us from sin, and help us to trust Jesus. Help us to know You better this week. Amen.