Ahab-Some People Never Learn

By Mary Vee
I Kings 20

The Messenger's Journal

We suffered a terrible loss last year. My king, Ben-Hadad of Aram became angry with the Israelites and attacked them. He knew from the first moment the Israelites were weak and could be conquered easily. He laughed as their soldiers marched toward our camp and finished his party before sending our army out to attack. 

But the battle did not go as he thought. The Israelite's God protected them. They came after our army as if we were fleas, attacking and chasing us until we suffered great losses. 

Once Ben-Hadad returned to his home he called a meeting of his advisors. "What should we do," the king asked.

The officials replied, "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. Here is what we suggest: Remove all the kings from their commands and replace them with officers. 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."

Ben-Hadad smiled. "This is good advice. Guards, bring drink for all of us. Let's celebrate our new plan to conquer Israel. 

The king and his officials worked all winter long preparing for this battle. They purchased and trained horses, prepared officials, and sharpened weapons. Ben-Hadad chose Aphek for the battleground. 

When spring came and the ground suitable for battle, the army marched against Israel. We settled in a camp and waited for the Israelite army to come for battle. We didn't have to wait long before the Israelites marched to the area and set up camp. 

The Israelite army looked small. Ben-Hadad laughed, "The Israelite army is no bigger than two small flocks of goats while our army covers the countryside. My friends, we are assured the victory of this battle." 

We waited seven days before commencing the battle. During that time I crept to the Israelite camp and learned a man of God told king Ahab of the Israelites they would win. Their God said he would deliver the vast army of Ben-Hadad into the Israelite hands and by this the king would know their God is the Lord.

I reported all this information back to Ben-Hadad, but he wouldn't listen to me. "You are foolish to listen to these lies. Someone must have know you were there."

The battle began. Instantly, the Israelite army took the advantage. They inflicted a hundred thousand casualties on our army in one day. Our men became scared and fled to the city of Aphek. They ran inside the city walls and cowered. As they lined against the inside of the wall, the structure collapsed killing twenty-seven thousand of them.

Those of us who survived were frightened. The Israelite God is more powerful than any other god.

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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1.  Although Israel won the victory, what did king Ben-Hadad from Aram decide to do?
2.  His advisors told him to _________ to prepare for a battle.
3.  When was the battle to take place.
4.  Where was the battle to take place.
5. The two armies arrived at t he battlefield. How did Ben-Hadad describe the Israelite army?
6.  Who promised the Israelites they would have a victory?
7.  Who instantly took the advantage in this battle. Why was this side winning?
8.  What happened to those who ran away?

Ahab-Conquering Ben-Hadad

By Mary Vee
I Kings 20

From a Messenger's Journal

My job is to spy on the Israelite army. I have been sent from Ben-Hadad of Aram.

Only a few days ago the Israelite king, Ahab, gave into my master's demands by giving us all the gold, silver, the king's wives and his children. My king, Ben-Hadad laughed at how easy he could take such riches. He said, "Why should we stop there? Let's take more!"

I have kept watch on king Ahab's army, which he assembled soon after Ben-Hadad demanded more wealth from Israel. Young Israelite officers, 232 men and 7,000 other soldiers gathered at noon. 

I ran back to Ben-Hadad to let him know the Israelites had formed an army. He sat in a large tent with 32 other kings drinking and laughing. With a great army formed by all these nations they knew the Israelites would be squashed. 

It took a long time to get the Ben-Hadad's attention with all the noise. He finally looked at me with drunken eyes. I don't think he could understand my words, but I tried anyway. "My lord, men are advancing from Samaria."

The kings burst out laughing. Ben-Hadad held his hand up to silence the other drunk kings. "Let's be nice to the poor, little Israelites." He laughed some more and drank from his cup. He turned to his captain. "If the Israelites have come out to make a treaty, take them as prisoners and let them live. if they come for war, take them as prisoners, and let them live. I have plans." He turned back to the other kings and toasted with his drink.  

Our army went out to face the Israelites knowing full well we'd win. I hid far enough away to watch the battle and be ready to report back to my king.

The battle did not go as we thought. The Israelite officers marched forward with the army behind them. They attacked every unit of ours and won with every stroke of their weapon. Our captains soon called for a retreat but the Israelites chased, continuing their victorious attack.

I ran back to Ben-Hadad to tell him and the kings what happened. He left the other kings and ran to his horse taking with him a group of horsemen for protection. I ran alongside to escape with my life.

After reaching our home, Ben-Hadad called a meeting of his officials. They reported: "My lord, this was a huge loss for us. The Israelite gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. Let us plan an attack for next spring, one that is not in the hills."

Ben-Hadad, wiped sweat from his forehead. "Unbelievable. How did they do that?"

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1. Ben-Hadad is the evil king from ___________
2. He wanted to conquer ______________
3. When the messenger told him the Israelites were coming to attack he thought ______
4. What happened during the battle?
5. When Ben-Hadad heard the news what did he do?
6. How did the Israelite army win this battle? 

Ahab- Attacked by Greedy Ben-Haddad

By Mary Vee
I Kings 20

From King Ahab's Scrolls

I am the king of Israel. Ben Haddad is the king of Aram and a very greedy man. He recently threatened to wage war unless we paid his asking price, our silver, gold, all my wives, and children. 

I was frightened. What can I say? I handed over all the silver and gold from the treasury and then told my wives and children they must go with him, too. 

Fool that I was, Ben-Haddad saw my fear and sent another messenger who said, "My master demands your silver and gold, your wives and your children. But about this time tomorrow I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will take everything that is important to you."

This last demand went too far.

I called all the elders of the land for a meeting and said, "Ben-Haddad is a trouble maker. When he sent for my gold, silver, wives, and children I didn't refuse. I gave him everything he asked. Now he wants to raid all the palace and official quarters?"

The elders whispered amongst each other saying, "No. Don't listen to him or agree to his demands. He must be stopped."

I agreed with them and called Ben-Haddad messengers to my chambers. "Tell king Ben-Haddad I was willing to do all he demanded the first time, but this demand was too much." I dismissed the messengers to deliver my words.

Not long after, another messenger came from Ben-Haddad. "May the gods deal with me severely if enough dust remains in Samaria to give each of my men a handful."

Threaten me? He had the nerve to threaten the king of Israel? "Tell your master, this: 'One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.'"

My scout, who followed the messenger reported back to me. "King Ahab, the messenger delivered your message as you asked. Ben-Haddad was at a party drinking. He became very angry when he heard your message. He threw down his cup and shouted, "Prepare to attack." I ran back to you before they captured me.

I didn't know for sure what should be done. As I dismissed the messenger a prophet requested to seem me. I hoped he would have the answer I needed. "Yes, send him in."

The prophet bowed. "The Lord has said, 'Do you know Ben-Haddad's vast army? I will give it into your hands today and then you will know I am the Lord.'"

The news was good, but I had questions about this message. "Who will conquer the his army?"

The prophet answered, "The Lord says, 'The young officers of the commanders will do it.'"

I understood but I had more questions. "Who will start the battle?"

The prophet answered, "You will."

Come back next time and I will tell you what happened at the battle.

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photo courtesy of Christianimagesource.com

1.  Ahab is the king of ____________
2.  Ben-Haddad is the king of ___________
3.  Who sent a messenger to king Ahab?
4.  What was the first message?
5.  What was the second message?
6.  King Ahab did as he was asked for the first demand. What did he do for the second?
7.  Who delivered a message from the Lord, and what did God say?