1 Kings 20:31-34

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

King Ahab Makes a Treaty with the Enemy

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The enemy will try to take advantage of Christian attitudes.

  2. The enemy will try to bribe the Christian.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Be careful about who you call “my brother”.

QUESTIONS

  1. Did God continue to show grace and tolerance toward Ahab in spite of his lack of repentance and thankfulness?

  2. Why did Ben-Hadad try to take advantage of Israel?

  3. Christian attitudes are sufficient to repel the enemy. True or False? Explain.

  4. Does the enemy ever try to bribe Christians?

  5. We should be open, calling everyone “my brother.” True or False?

ANSWERS

  1. Yes. God had granted Ahab two great victories against Ben-Hadad of Syria, and He delivered Ben-Hadad into the hand of Ahab. Ahab should have removed him according to God’s word (and with good reason), but he was disobedient and let him go free.

  2. Because of Ahab’s lenient attitude.

  3. False. Just as Ben-Hadad tried to take advantage of God’s people, so Satan and his emissaries will try to take advantage of the Christian. An example of this is the Church being drawn into schemes by unscrupulous people.

  4. Yes, just as Ben-Hadad tried to bribe Ahab. Ben-Hadad promised to return some of Israel’s territory, to let Israel set up market places in Damascus, and to reduce trade tariffs. It worked because of the appeal to Ahab. But his bribery ended with an unholy alliance.

  5. False. Ben-Hadad, an enemy of God’s people and devoted to their destruction, invited Ahab to come up into his chariot. We should be willing to extend the right hand of fellowship to every true believer, but we need to be careful about welcoming unbelievers (and getting into their chariots). There is a distinction between fellowship with believers and evangelism with unbelievers.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Are you able to stand against the wiles of the enemy, even when he looks to you for mercy? Do you give mercy so that the enemy will not think you are too dogmatic?

  2. Have you found yourself compromising with the enemy, thinking that it would make him go away?

CHALLENGE

  1. Have you made unholy alliances? What were the results? Would you make them again?

KEY VERSES

  • “They were watching closely to see whether any sign of mercy would come from him.” 1 Kings 20:33

  • “And he said, ‘Is he still alive? He is my brother.’” I Kings 20:32

  • “So he made a treaty with him.” 1 Kings 20:34

1 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid1 KINGS 20:31-34