Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

1 Kings 20 Devotional

Lord of Hills and Valleys

“Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said that the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’””1 Kings 20:28 (BSB)

Ben-hadad of Aram surrounds Samaria with thirty-two allied kings and demands everything Ahab has (20:1-6). Ahab is not a faithful king, yet the LORD promises to hand this vast army over to him, so that Ahab will know who the LORD is (20:13). The victory comes through a small band of young officers while Ben-hadad's camp is drinking (20:15-21). When the Arameans decide Israel's God rules only the hills, the LORD gives victory again on the plain, though Israel's camp is tiny beside theirs (20:23-29).

God is not a local deity with territory he cannot reach. He rules hills and valleys alike, and he makes himself known even to an unworthy king. But Ahab treats the outcome as his own diplomacy. He spares Ben-hadad with a treaty, and a prophet announces that Ahab's life will answer for it (20:32-42). The LORD's kindness is meant to lead to knowing him. There is no corner of your life where he is not Lord.

To think about: Is there an area of your life where you have quietly assumed God's rule does not reach?

About 1 Kings 20: Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad of Aram

Ben-hadad of Aram besieges Samaria, but the LORD gives Ahab two victories so that he will know He is the LORD, even on the plains Aram thought He did not rule. Ahab spares Ben-hadad by treaty, and a disguised prophet announces that Ahab's life will pay for releasing him.

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