Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

As indicated in the chapters cited in the question, despite the wickedness of Ahab as king of the northern kingdom of Israel, God had indicated to Ahab through His prophet His intention to give Ben-Hadad, the king of the pagan nation of Aram, into Ahab's hands (although the Aramean army vastly outnumbered the Israelites) and to have Ben-Hadad killed, because of the way in which the Arameans had mocked God. Despite Ahab knowing this, he made a peace treaty with Ben-Hadad and let him go.

Later, Ahab broke the peace treaty by joining the king of Judah in going to war with the Arameans over a piece of Israel that the Arameans continued to hold. Again, Ahab was warned by God's prophet not to pursue this course of action, but Ahab disregarded the prophet's warning. During the ensuing battle, Ahab was fatally wounded.

I would say that the "lesson" from this is that God's followers are not to let their personal judgment overrule God's clear command, even if the course of action taken may seem appropriate, or even (as in the making of the peace treaty) commendable. As indicated in Proverbs 16:25, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

June 07 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report