Why did God let King Ahab defeat Ben-hadad when King Ahab had done so much evil?
1 Kings 20:13 - 18
ESV - 13 And behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel and said, "Thus says the Lord, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will give it into your hand this day, and you shall know that I am the Lord. 14 And Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the Lord, By the servants of the governors of the districts." Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You.
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Asked February 02 2018
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Mckinley Sanford
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Tim Maas
I think that God assisted Ahab against the Syrians and their king Ben-hadad as a vindication and proof of His own position and authority (irrespective of what Ahab had done), because of the way in which the Syrians had mocked God and questioned His power (1 Kings 20:23-25). Perhaps God also intended this action as a witness to Ahab, in the hope that he would reform from his idolatry. In addition, I would say that God's action was done out of the same mercy on His part that He displayed toward Ahab when Ahab humbled himself after Elijah had pronounced God's judgment against him (1 Kings 21:20-24). (At that time, God told Elijah that He would therefore not bring His final judgment upon Ahab himself, but upon Ahab's son Ahaziah (1 Kings 21:27-29).) Despite the wicked and idolatrous things that Ahab did (often at the instigation of his pagan wife Jezebel (1 Kings 21:25)), he was nevertheless king over ten of the original twelve tribes of Israel, who were still God's chosen people, even though He might discipline and punish them because of their persistent sin. God's forbearance was an indication of the long-suffering nature of His patience and mercy.
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