Don't Lose God's Blessing. (1 Kings 20: 1-43)

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Episode Notes: Don't Lose God's Blessing. (1 Kings 20: 1-43)

The Bible has shaped Western civilization more than any other book in history.

 Our ethics, our laws, our sense of justice—so much of it flows straight out of Scripture. But the Bible hasn’t just shaped our laws, it has also shaped our language.

 When the Bible was translated into English first by Tyndale and then with the KJV, which draws heavily on Tyndale's translation, it became the most widely read book in the English‑speaking world; its idioms, its expressions, and its imagery seeped into everyday speech. So much so that we use biblical phrases all the time without even realizing it.

Expressions like “the writing is on the wall.”   Or “the apple of his eye.”  Or “a drop in the bucket.”   Or how about, “by the skin of your teeth.”  

There are dozens of these, but today I want to look at just one of them. But instead of giving it to you upfront, I’m going to tell you the story behind it—and you see if you can work out the idiom by the time we get to the end.

 And the story behind it is found in 1 Kings chapter 20….

Transcript

The Bible has shaped Western civilization more than any other book in history.

Our ethics, our laws, our sense of justice—so much of it flows straight out of Scripture. In fact, anyone who has studied the foundations of the British Legal system knows how deeply it draws from the book of Deuteronomy.

But the Bible hasn’t just shaped our laws.

It has shaped our language.

When the Bible was translated into English first by Tyndale and then with the KJV, which draws heavily on Tyndale's translation, it became the most widely read book in the English‑speaking world; its idioms, its expressions, and its imagery seeped into everyday speech. So much so that we use biblical phrases all the time without even realizing it.

Let me give you a few examples.

You’ve heard the expression “the writing is on the wall.”  

That comes straight out of Daniel, when God warned Belshazzar by literally writing on the wall.

Or “the apple of his eye.”  

That’s from Deuteronomy 32—meaning someone precious, someone deeply loved.

Or “a drop in the bucket.”  

That’s Isaiah.

Or “bit the dust.”  

Psalm 72.

Or how about, “by the skin of your teeth.”  

That’s from Job.

There are dozens of these—one quick online search revealed a list of eighty‑five biblical idioms woven into everyday English.

Today, I want to look at just one of those expressions.

It’s not as well‑known as the ones I just mentioned, but it’s incredibly practical. And instead of giving it to you upfront, I’m going to tell you the story behind it—and you see if you can work out the idiom by the time we get to the end.

And the story behind it is found in 1 Kings chapter 20….

So, let’s turn to 1 Kings 20, because this is where the story begins, and it is the story of Ben-Hadad and his attack on Samaria.

Verse 1 introduces us to the scene:

Now, Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, mustered his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots and he went up and besieged Samaria and attacked it.”

Samaria, remember, is the capital of the northern kingdom.

Ahab is the king there, and Ben‑Hadad, is the king of Syria who decides he’s going to march south and conquer Israel.

But he doesn’t go alone; he brings thirty‑two other kings with him. So, this is a coalition army—an overwhelming force.

They surround Ahab, who is trapped; there is no escape, and they attack.

And then the message comes.

He sent messengers into the city to Ahab, king of Israel, saying, “This is what Ben-Hadad says: ‘Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.’”

(1 Kings 20: 2-3)

Imagine being Ahab.

You’re surrounded, you’re outnumbered, you’re overwhelmed, and the enemy king says, “Everything you have belongs to me.”

And Ahab—rather astonishingly in reply says: (v4)

“Just as you say, my lord the king. All I have is yours. The messengers came again and said, “This is what Ben-Hadad says: ‘I sent to demand your silver and gold, your wives and your children.

(1 Kings 20: 4-5)

He surrenders.

No prayers or seeking the Lord.

He’s not remembering God’s past deliverance; he simply gives in.

Maybe you have ever felt like that at some points in your life.

Outnumbered?

Overwhelmed?

Overcome?

Maybe a problem at work is followed by a problem at home, which is followed by a problem with the car, followed by a phone call from the doctor… And suddenly you feel like you’re hanging on by a thread.

That’s Ahab.

But it gets worse because the enemy wants everything. Ben-Hadad hears Ahab’s surrender and says, “Well, if he’s going to give me that much, I’ll take more.”

Verse 6:

“About this time tomorrow, I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will seize everything you value and carry it away.”

In other words. “I’m not just taking your gold and your wives and your children. I’m taking everything, I’m stripping your house bare.”

Now Ahab panics.

7 The king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said to them, “See how this man is looking for trouble! When he sent for my wives and my children, my silver and my gold, I did not refuse him.”

8 The elders and the people all answered, “Don’t listen to him or agree to his demands.” 9 So he replied to Ben-Hadad’s messengers, “Tell my lord the king, ‘Your servant will do all you demanded the first time, but this demand I cannot meet.’” They left and took the answer back to Ben-Hadad.

(1 Kings 20: 7-9)

He gathers the elders of Israel and says, “Look at this man—he’s trying to pick a fight. I agreed to the first demand, but this second one is too much.”

And the elders say, “Don’t listen to him and don’t give in.”

In modern terms, they say, “You can’t just roll over and surrender everything.” So, Ahab sends a message back: “I’ll give you what I agreed to the first time, but I’m not giving you everything.”

Remember, Ahab is negotiating with a man who has thirty‑two kings behind him. This is probably not going to end well. However, Ahab has now just rejected Ben‑Hadad’s second demand, and he’s finally drawn a line in the sand.

And now the tension rises.

Verse 10:

“Then Ben-Hadad sent another message to Ahab: “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if enough dust remains in Samaria to give each of my men a handful.”

In other words. “Ahab, by this time tomorrow, Samaria will be nothing but dust. I’m going to grind your city to dust.”

This is a full‑blown threat of annihilation, and Ahab responds with one of the lesser‑known biblical idioms:

Verse 11:

, “Tell him: ‘One who puts on his armour should not boast like one who takes it off.’”

That’s the ancient version of what in the modern translation became, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

Or:

“Don’t brag before the battle—brag after you’ve survived it.”

It’s actually a brilliant line. And it hints—just hints—that maybe Ahab is beginning to stiffen his spine. Maybe the elders’ counsel gave him courage. Maybe he’s remembering that God has delivered Israel before.

Something has definitely shifted.

Meanwhile… the enemy gets drunk

Verse 12:

Ben-Hadad heard this message while he and the kings were drinking in their tents, and he ordered his men: “Prepare to attack.” So, they prepared to attack the city.

They’re not preparing for battle; they’re not strategizing, and they’re not organising their troops…. They’re drinking.

They’re so confident, so arrogant, so convinced of their own superiority that they’ve already started the victory party.

And right in that moment—when the enemy is boasting, and the king of Israel is trembling—God steps in.

Verse 13:

“Meanwhile, a prophet came to Ahab, king of Israel, and announced, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the Lord.”

This is stunning.

Ahab hasn’t prayed.

He hasn’t repented.

He hasn’t sought the Lord himself but God sends a prophet anyway.

Why?

Because this is God’s covenant people. This is God’s land, and God is going to defend His name—even when His king won’t.

And notice the reason God gives: “…that you may know that I am the LORD.”

That’s the core message of this entire chapter.

God wants to be known, and He wants His people to recognize His hand in these events. He wants Ahab—this stubborn, idolatrous king—to know who is really in charge.

But then Ahab asks the right question…. Verse 14:

“By whom?”

“How are You going to do this, Lord? Who are You going to use?” And the prophet answers:

“By the young leaders of the provinces.”

Now imagine Ahab’s face.

“You mean the young men? The junior officers, the inexperienced ones? The ones who’ve never led a battle?”

Yes…. Exactly those.

And then Ahab asks: “Who will set the battle in order?” And the prophet says: “You.” “You’re going to lead them, Ahab.”

This is remarkable. God is going to deliver Israel—but He’s going to do it through the most unlikely means. He will use inexperienced young men, and just a small group of them, and a king who has never shown spiritual backbone before.

Why?

So that no one can say, “We did this.”

So that everyone must say, “The Lord did this.”

The Battle Begins.

15 So Ahab summoned the 232 junior officers under the provincial commanders. Then he assembled the rest of the Israelites, 7,000 in all. 16 They set out at noon while Ben-Hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk. 17 The junior officers under the provincial commanders went out first. Now Ben-Hadad had dispatched scouts, who reported, “Men are advancing from Samaria.” 18 He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive.” 19 The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind them 20, and each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen. 21 The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans.

(1 Kings 20: 15-21)

So, Ahab actually obeys, musters the young leaders, 232 of them, and then gathers the rest of the army—7,000 men. That’s it.

Against thirty‑two nations.

They then go out at noon…”

At noon?

Who starts a battle at noon?

But the Syrians aren’t worried; they’re too drunk to care, and their leader says:

“If they’ve come for peace, take them alive. If they’ve come for war, take them alive.”

Do you hear the arrogance?

He doesn’t even think they’re worth fighting.

Just arrest them and handcuff them, bring them in.

But verse 20 says, “Each one killed his man.”

That means every Israelite soldier struck down the Syrian soldier in front of him, and suddenly, the entire Syrian army panics. The Syrians flee, and Israel pursued them, and Ben‑Hadad just about manages to escape on horseback.”

The drunk king sobers up fast, and he runs for his life. Israel routs the Syrians, and a great slaughter ensues.”

Just like that, the outnumbered become the overcomers. The overwhelmed become the victors and the threatened become the triumphant.

And what made the difference?

The Lord.

Not Ahab.

Not the young men.

Not military strategy.

The Lord.

But the Story isn’t over….

“Afterward, the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, 'Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again.” Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely, we will be stronger than they.

(1 Kings 20: 22-23)

In other words: “Ahab, don’t get comfortable because this enemy is coming back.” And sure enough, the Syrian advisors say: “Their gods are gods of the hills, but if we fight them in the plain, we will be stronger.”

They think Israel won because of geography. They think God is limited to the mountains, but they have no idea who they’re dealing with.

Remember—these men are polytheists. They believe in territorial gods. They think every nation has its own deity, and every deity has its own turf.

So, they say to him: The Israelites have a god of the hills, and we fought them in the hills, that’s why we lost. But if we fight them in the valley next time we’ll win.”

Now pause right there.

Isn’t that exactly how some of us think sometimes?

We trust God on the mountaintop—

When the sun is shining and when the bills are paid.

We trust God when the doctor gives a good report and when the kids are doing well.

But what about the valley?

What about the dark days?

The confusing days?

The days when you feel like you’re barely holding on.

Let me remind you:

The God of the Bible is the God of the hills… and the God of the valleys.

He’s the God of the stars, the oceans, the deserts, the swamps, the mountains, and the plains.

You cannot get away from Him, and you cannot get beyond His reach.

Ben‑Hadad’s advisors have miscalculated badly.

Round Two: The Valley Battle.

24 Do this: Remove all the kings from their commands and replace them with other officers. 25 You must also raise an army like the one you lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight Israel on the plains. Then surely, we will be stronger than they.” He agreed with them and acted accordingly. 26 The next spring, Ben-Hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. 27 When the Israelites were also mustered and given provisions, they marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped opposite them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside”.

(1 Kings 20: 24-27)

In other words: “Get rid of those 32 kings—they were useless. Hire professionals. Rebuild the army and this time, fight in the valley, and our valley god will help us.”

So, in the spring, when the grass grows and the horses can feed well, Ben‑Hadad gathers his rebuilt army and marches toward Israel again. This time, they camped east of Galilee, in the region we know today as the Golan Heights.

The look at the army of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of goats…. That’s how small Israel’s army looked compared to the Syrians.

They are outnumbered again; the situation, humanly speaking, is hopeless again.

But then—here comes the Lord.

“The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, 'This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’”

(1 Kings 20: 28)

Do you hear the tone? This is personal because Ben‑Hadad didn’t just insult Israel, he insulted God.

“You think I’m only the God of the hills? You think my power stops at the valley floor? Watch what I do next.”

So, the two armies stare each other down for seven days—two little flocks of goats on one side and a massive Syrian force on the other….. And on the seventh day, the battle begins.

For seven days, they camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle was joined. The Israelites inflicted a hundred thousand casualties on the Aramean foot soldiers in one day. The rest of them escaped to the city of Aphek, where the wall collapsed on twenty-seven thousand of them. And Ben-Hadad fled to the city and hid in an inner room.

(1 Kings 20: 29-30)

“The children of Israel killed 100,000-foot soldiers in one day.” One hundred thousand, in one day. And the survivors flee into a nearby city, and a wall collapses on twenty‑seven thousand more.

What happened? Same thing as last time. The Lord got involved.

Once again, Israel goes from conquered to conqueror, from overwhelmed to overcomer, and from victim to victor.

And the difference again? The Lord.

Let me give you a little encouragement to tuck away and hold on to:

It’s okay to feel like you’re hanging by a thread, as long as the thread is the hem of His garment.

Because if you know the Lord, if you’ve trusted Christ, if you’ve believed the gospel, and if you belong to Him, then you know this:

He has protected you.

He has provided for you.

He has answered prayer.

And He has shown His power.

So, the next time you find yourself in the valley, the next time you feel outnumbered, the next time you feel overwhelmed… Grab hold of the Lord.

That’s the whole point of this chapter.

God keeps saying, “I want you to know Me. I want you to see my hand in this situation. I want you to trust Me.”

And Ahab—of all people—has seen God work again and again:

·         Mount Carmel

·         The drought

·         The fire from heaven

·         The defeat of the prophets of Baal

·         The first Syrian battle

·         The second Syrian battle

You’d think he would have learned…. But he didn’t, and that brings us to the next scene….

31 His officials said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. Let us go to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” 32 Wearing sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-Hadad says: ‘Please let me live.’” The king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” 33 The men took this as a good sign and were quick to pick up his word. “Yes, your brother Ben-Hadad!” they said. “Go and get him,” the king said. When Ben-Hadad came out, Ahab had him come up into his chariot. 34 “I will return the cities my father took from your father,” Ben-Hadad offered. “You may set up your own market areas in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” Ahab said, “On the basis of a treaty, I will set you free.” So, he made a treaty with him and let him go.

(1 Kings 20: 31-34)

Now, sackcloth is a sign of mourning. But the rope—that’s the key.

It’s a symbolic gesture, it’s like saying, “Here’s the rope., You have every right to hang me; I surrender.”

So, they come to Ahab and say: Ben‑Hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’”

And Ahab says, “If he is still alive? He is my brother.”

Your brother?

This is the man who said: “Your silver is mine.” “Your gold is mine.” 

“Your wives are mine.” “Your children are mine, and your city will be dust by tomorrow.”

And Ahab says, “He can be like a brother to me.”

What’s wrong with that?

Everything.

According to the Law of Moses, Ben‑Hadad deserved judgment.

Ahab should have sought the Lord, he should have consulted the prophet, and he should have obeyed the Mosaic law.

Instead, he makes a treaty with the man whom God has just delivered into his hands, and in doing so, he again disobeys the Lord.

And now—another character steps onto the stage.

Verse 35 introduces a new character—an unnamed prophet, one of the “sons of the prophets.” And he approaches with a strange request.

35 By the word of the Lord, one of the company of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me with your weapon,” but he refused. 36 So the prophet said, “Because you have not obeyed the Lord, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you.” And after the man went away, a lion found him and killed him. 37 The prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please.” So, the man struck him and wounded him. 38 Then the prophet went and stood by the road waiting for the king. He disguised himself with his headband down over his eyes. 39 As the king passed by, the prophet called out to him, “Your servant went into the thick of the battle, and someone came to me with a captive and said, ‘Guard this man. If he is missing, it will be your life for his life, or you must pay a talent of silver.’ 40 While your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.” That is your sentence,” the king of Israel said. “You have pronounced it yourself.”41 Then the prophet quickly removed the headband from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.

(1 Kings 20: 35-41)

This is a sobering reminder: disobedience has consequences. Then comes the prophetic verdict:

“Thus says the LORD: Because you have let slip out of your hand the man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.”

(1 Kings 20: 42 NKJV)

There it is.

The idiom, the heart of the chapter, the whole point of the story. “You have let slip out of your hand.”

God gave Ahab a clear command, and God also gave him a divine opportunity. God placed Ben‑Hadad—the enemy of Israel—right into his hands…. And Ahab let it slip through his fingers.

And verse 43, our final verse today, says:

So, sullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria.

Sullen—resentful, stubborn, rebellious.

Displeased—angry, raging inside.

He didn’t like God’s verdict, but he had no one to blame but himself.

The Lesson: Don’t let God’s blessing slip through your hands.

That little phrase, “you let it slip out of your hand,” is the message of the entire chapter.

Ahab had an opportunity to obey the Lord, he had an opportunity to act in faith, and he had an opportunity to finish what God started…. And he let it slip through his hands.

We do the same thing when:

We miss opportunities to thank the Lord.

We miss opportunities to minister to people.

We miss opportunities to affirm, encourage, bless, and build up others.

And we miss opportunities to speak of Christ.

We let them slip through our fingers.

Sometimes it’s because of fear.

Sometimes it’s because we're distracted.

Sometimes we think we’re just too busy.

Sometimes it’s simple neglect.

But opportunities don’t last forever.

Ask the first generation of Israel at Kadesh Barnea.

They saw God part the Red Sea.

They saw manna fall from heaven.

They saw water come from the rock.

And when God said, “Go into the land,” they said, “No, we'll go later.”

And the opportunity slipped through their hands.

Subsequently, they wandered for 38 years in the wilderness and then died.

And the next generation received the blessing they forfeited.

So, here’s the handwriting on the wall for us today:

When God allows you to obey Him, don’t miss the opportunity, don’t let it slip through your hands.

Don’t get to the end of your life and say, “I wish I had.”

Get to the end of your life and say, “I’m glad I did….”

Outro:

And that brings us to the end of this chapter, a warning and a missed opportunity.

But the story of Ahab isn’t finished.

In the very next chapter, 1 Kings 21, we meet one of the darkest episodes in his life—an episode involving coveting, manipulation, injustice, and the chilling influence of Jezebel.

The next episode I’ve titled: “When Sin Knocks at the Door”

(1 Kings 21)

It’s a scary chapter, but an important one—because it shows how small compromises can lead to devastating consequences.

So, I hope you’ll join me next time as we step into 1 Kings 21 and watch what happens when a king refuses to guard his heart.

Until then—walk with the Lord, seize the opportunities He gives you, and don’t let them slip through your hands.