I Kings 21:4
‘So Ahab entered his house sullen and furious because of the answer that Naboth the Jezreelite had given to him, since he said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned his face away, and ate no food.’
The previous chapter closed with Ahab getting bad news. He had disobeyed the Lord and consequences were coming. The result was he was sullen and furious. Today’s verse has Ahab wanting someone’s property and the owner doesn’t want to sell. Again, Ahab is sullen and furious.
His response is immature. It’s how a child would respond. It’s interesting that these two events has him responding the same way. The previous chapter was a tough situation. It was war. It went in Israel’s favor. The enemy came repentant asking for their lives. Ahab granted it. The problem was God wanted them eliminated and told Ahab so. Ahab’s human compassion clouded his duty to obey.
This is tough. Today’s society speaks much about compassion and tolerance and shames those that have principles that disagree with them. This has gone on for decades. They wanted one thing, but they don’t stop pushing boundaries. It teaches us that sacrificing little is sacrificing everything. The present request is far beyond what most can live with. But because earlier concessions were made, the asker couldn’t control themselves.
What’s also true is the that if there is no moral compass, there is no end to where they will go. It’s best to stay with one’s values. It’s difficult, but easier if God is our focus. Don’t even begin the dialogue. Proverbs 26:4 says, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.”
How does the proverbs verse work with I Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect”. The difference is the attitude of the person. The proverbs passage refers to the fool who won’t learn, but just seeks to speak. The Peter passage has a person asking. They want to know. They might not accept what they heard, but they are asking.
King Ahab is a long way from godly thought and behavior. He has lived a life doing what he wanted, not what God had asked. Now, we all make mistakes. God is ok with that. Are we repentant? King Ahab was sullen, which is he was sad. This doesn’t mean he was repentant.
2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For grief according to God produces repentance to salvation without regret; but the world’s grief produces death.” This passage tells us that there are different types of sorrow. Ahab’s is immature, this verse speaks of godly sorrow. This type produces repentance. Ahab’s sorrow is of the world and produces death.
We want to have the responses God approves of. Proverbs 9:10 tells us what to do, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” To fear God is to do as He says and to have an open heart.
It’s easy to get confused and not know what to do. Psalm 61:2 says, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” The answer is to cry out to God.
It’s best to obey God in the small things, so when the big occurrences happen, we do what we did in the small things. We are practicing. We get comfortable with trusting God. We will still get disoriented, but we’ve been there before.
Sometimes we get off track and stray. Jesus tells us what to do in Revelation 2:5, “Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Fall back on those first deeds. Basically, cry out to God and begin obeying Him.
Lord, thank You for being such a loving and caring God. You help us in all seasons. Help us to walk in obedience and stick close to You.