INTRODUCTION: Ahab wins two major battles over Benhadad of Syria. But he does not learn to finish the job. God gave him victories for His own glory but promised to bring judgment on Ahab for his neglect.

1. BENHADAD’S PLAN TO PLUNDER SAMARIA (1 Kings 20:1-11 [1] And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it. [2] And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Benhadad, [3] Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine. [4] And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have. [5] And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children; [6] Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away. [7] Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not. [8] And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent. [9] Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again. [10] And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me. [11] And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.
   See All...)
1. Benhadad’s Siege of Samaria (1 Kings 20:1And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.
   See All...)
1. He gathered his host together.
1. Including 32 kings
2. Including horses and chariots
2. He warred against Samaria.
2. Benhadad’s First Demand (1 Kings 20:2-4 [2] And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Benhadad, [3] Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine. [4] And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.
   See All...)
1. His demand (1 Kings 20:2-3 [2] And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Benhadad, [3] Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.
   See All...)
1. His wealth
2. His family
2. Ahab’s consent (1 Kings 20:4And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.
   See All...)
1. He offered himself.
2. He offered all that he had.
3. Benhadad’s Second Demand (1 Kings 20:5-6 [5] And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children; [6] Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away.
   See All...)
1. He claimed the first demand (1 Kings 20:5And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;
   See All...).
2. He would send servants to take all that was pleasant to Ahab (1 Kings 20:6Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away.
   See All...).
4. Benhadad’s Demands Rejected (1 Kings 20:7-9 [7] Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not. [8] And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent. [9] Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.
   See All...)
1. Ahab consulted with the elders of the land (1 Kings 20:7Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.
   See All...).
2. The elders advised Ahab to refuse Benhadad’s demands (1 Kings 20:8And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.
   See All...).
3. Ahab refused to meet Benhadad’s second demand (1 Kings 20:9Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.
   See All...).
5. Benhadad’s Threat Against Israel (1 Kings 20:10-11 [10] And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me. [11] And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.
   See All...)
1. Benhadad promised to reduce Samaria to handfuls of dust (1 Kings 20:10And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.
   See All...).
2. Ahab warned Benhadad of hasty boasting (1 Kings 20:11And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.
   See All...).
2. AHAB’S MIRACULOUS VICTORY OVER SYRIA (1 Kings 20:12-21 [12] And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city. [13] And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. [14] And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou. [15] Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand. [16] And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him. [17] And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria. [18] And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive. [19] So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them. [20] And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen. [21] And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.
   See All...)
1. Benhadad Prepared to Attack Samaria (1 Kings 20:12And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.
   See All...).
1. He received the news while drinking with the other kings.
2. He commanded his servants to set themselves in array against Samaria.
2. A Prophet Promised Deliverance (1 Kings 20:13-14 [13] And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. [14] And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
   See All...).
1. God promised to deliver for His own glory (1 Kings 20:13And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
   See All...).
2. God used the properly chosen leadership (1 Kings 20:14And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
   See All...).
1. The princes to lead the battle
2. Ahab to order the battle
3. The Men of Israel Approached Syria (1 Kings 20:15-16 [15] Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand. [16] And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
   See All...).
1. The men of Israel followed the princes (1 Kings 20:15Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.
   See All...).
2. They numbered 7,000 men (1 Kings 20:15Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.
   See All...).
3. Benhadad and his kings were drunk (1 Kings 20:16And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
   See All...).
4. Benhadad Ordered the Men Taken Alive (1 Kings 20:17-18 [17] And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria. [18] And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.
   See All...).
5. The Men of Israel Defeated the Syrians (1 Kings 20:19-21 [19] So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them. [20] And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen. [21] And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.
   See All...).
3. AHAB’S SECOND VICTORY OVER SYRIA (1 Kings 20:22-30 [22] And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee. [23] And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. [24] And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms: [25] And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so. [26] And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel. [27] And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. [28] And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [29] And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day. [30] But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.
   See All...)
1. The Prophet Warned Ahab of Another Battle (1 Kings 20:22And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.
   See All...).
2. The Syrians Prepared for a New Battle (1 Kings 20:23-25 [23] And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. [24] And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms: [25] And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.
   See All...).
1. They planned to fight in the plain (1 Kings 20:23And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.
   See All...). Note: They saw the God of Israel as only a God of the hills.
2. They replaced the political leaders [kings] with military leaders [captains] (1 Kings 20:24And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:
   See All...).
3. They built their army back to its original strength (1 Kings 20:25And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.
   See All...).
3. The Syrians Came Up Against Israel (1 Kings 20:26-27 [26] And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel. [27] And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.
   See All...).
4. The Man of God Promised a Great Victory (1 Kings 20:28And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
   See All...).
1. The Lord took notice of the Syrian’s opinion of His ability.
2. He promised to give the victory for His own glory.
5. The Israelites Defeated the Syrians (1 Kings 20:29-30 [29] And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day. [30] But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.
   See All...).
1. The Israelite army numbered 7,000.
2. They fought on the seventh day (1 Kings 20:29And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.
   See All...).
3. They slew 100,000 Syrian footmen (1 Kings 20:29And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.
   See All...).
4. The remaining Syrians fled to Aphek (1 Kings 20:30But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.
   See All...), a historical stronghold of the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 29:1Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
   See All...).
5. A wall fell on the 27,000 men that were left (1 Kings 20:30But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.
   See All...).
6. Benhadad hid in the city in an inner chamber (1 Kings 20:30But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.
   See All...).
4. AHAB’S COVENANT WITH BENHADAD (1 Kings 20:31-34 [31] And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life. [32] So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. [33] Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it: and they said, Thy brother Benhadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Benhadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot. [34] And Ben-hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.
   See All...)
1. The Servants of Benhadad Sought Mercy (1 Kings 20:31-32 [31] And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life. [32] So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother.
   See All...).
2. Ahab Treated Benhadad as a Brother (1 Kings 20:32-33 [32] So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. [33] Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it: and they said, Thy brother Benhadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Benhadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.
   See All...).
3. Benhadad Made Promises to Ahab (1 Kings 20:34And Ben-hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.
   See All...).
5. GOD’S JUDGMENT ON AHAB’S NEGLIGENCE (1 Kings 20:35-43 [35] And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him. [36] Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him. [37] Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him. [38] So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face. [39] And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. [40] And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. [41] And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets. [42] And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people. [43] And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.
   See All...)
1. A Prophet Required Himself to be Smitten (1 Kings 20:35-37 [35] And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him. [36] Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him. [37] Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.
   See All...).
1. A prophet asked to be smitten “in the word of the LORD” (1 Kings 20:35And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.
   See All...).
2. The first man (1 Kings 20:35-56 [35] And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him. [36] Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him. [37] Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him. [38] So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face. [39] And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. [40] And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. [41] And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets. [42] And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people. [43] And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.
   See All...)
1. He refused to smite him (1 Kings 20:35And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.
   See All...).
2. He was cursed because of his disobedience (1 Kings 20:36Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.
   See All...).
3. He was killed by a lion (1 Kings 20:36Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.
   See All...).
3. The second man (1 Kings 20:37Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.
   See All...)
1. He smote the prophet.
2. He wounded the prophet.
2. The Prophet Disguised Himself Before Ahab (1 Kings 20:38-40 [38] So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face. [39] And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. [40] And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
   See All...).
1. He disguised himself and waited for the king (1 Kings 20:38So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.
   See All...).
2. He told a story of losing a prisoner in his charge (1 Kings 20:39-40 [39] And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. [40] And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
   See All...).
1. He was told to “Keep this man” (1 Kings 20:39And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.
   See All...).
2. He was to do so for his own life (1 Kings 20:39And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.
   See All...).
3. The man escaped while he “was busy here and there” (1 Kings 20:40And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
   See All...).
3. Ahab judged against the man (1 Kings 20:40And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
   See All...). Note: We are often ready to apply standards to others that we are not willing to apply to ourselves.
3. The Prophet Pronounced Judgment on Ahab (1 Kings 20:41-43 [41] And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets. [42] And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people. [43] And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.
   See All...).
1. He quickly revealed his true identity (1 Kings 20:41And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.
   See All...).
2. He proclaimed judgment on Ahab and the people (1 Kings 20:42And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
   See All...).
1. The Lord had delivered Benhadad to him.
2. Ahab had let him go.
3. Ahab went to his house heavy and displeased (1 Kings 20:43And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION: Ahab gets the victory, but fails to complete the task when he allows Benhadad to go free. Instead of returning to his home with rejoicing, he returns heavy and displeased.