Prophet During the Time of Ben-Hadad in 1 Kings
During the reign of King Ahab of Israel, a prophet, whose name is not explicitly stated in the biblical text, played a significant role in the conflict between Israel and Ben-Hadad, king of Aram [8, 9]. This prophet delivered divine messages to Ahab concerning the wars with Ben-Hadad, particularly in 1 Kings 20.
Ben-Hadad, identified as a king of Aram during the Divided Monarchy period [4], initiated hostilities against Ahab by besieging Samaria with a large army, including thirty-two kings [1, 8]. Ben-Hadad sent messengers to Ahab demanding tribute, initially requesting silver, gold, wives, and children [2, 6]. Ahab initially agreed to these terms [3]. However, Ben-Hadad then escalated his demands, threatening to send his servants to plunder Samaria [5]. The elders of Israel advised Ahab not to concede to these further demands, leading Ahab to refuse Ben-Hadad's second set of terms [7, 8]. In response, Ben-Hadad vowed to utterly destroy Samaria [5, 8].
At this critical juncture, an unnamed prophet approached Ahab. This prophet declared that the Lord would deliver Ben-Hadad's great multitude into Ahab's hand, instructing Ahab on how to organize his forces for battle [8]. Following the prophet's directions, Ahab achieved a decisive victory over the Arameans [8]. The prophet then warned Ahab that Ben-Hadad would return the following year [8].
Indeed, Ben-Hadad returned to fight against Israel at Aphek, believing that Israel's God was a "god of the hills" and that they would be more successful fighting in the plain [13]. Again, the unnamed prophet appeared before Ahab, assuring him of victory so that the Arameans would know that the Lord was God [13]. Ahab's forces inflicted another significant defeat on Ben-Hadad's army [13].
After this second victory, Ben-Hadad's servants suggested he seek mercy from Ahab, who ultimately spared Ben-Hadad's life [12]. Ahab made a covenant with Ben-Hadad, who promised to return cities his father had taken from Omri, Ahab's father [12]. This act of leniency by Ahab towards Ben-Hadad, however, incurred divine displeasure [11].
Another unnamed prophet, described as a "disciple of the prophets" [14], confronted Ahab regarding his decision to release Ben-Hadad. This prophet used a symbolic action to convey God's judgment [11, 14]. He asked a companion to strike him, and when the companion refused, the prophet declared that a lion would kill him for disobeying the word of the Lord [14]. When he found another man who struck him and wounded him, the prophet then disguised himself and waited for Ahab [14].
When Ahab passed by, the prophet recounted a parable: he claimed to have been in battle, entrusted with a prisoner, and when he became distracted, the prisoner escaped. He asked Ahab what his punishment should be [14]. Ahab, unknowingly pronouncing judgment upon himself, declared that the prophet must pay for the escaped prisoner [14]. The prophet then revealed his identity and delivered the Lord's message to Ahab: "Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had appointed for destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people" [11, 14].
Rabbinic tradition, as interpreted by Rashi, suggests that Ahab's decision to spare Ben-Hadad was a grave error, as he had been commanded by God to destroy the Aramean king [10]. Rashi notes that showing mercy to evildoers can lead to further suffering [10]. This prophetic encounter highlights God's disfavor with Ahab's actions, portraying them as a failure to trust in the Lord and an act of misplaced mercy [11]. Matthew Henry observes that Ahab, despite his idolatry, was victorious through divine aid, indicating God's sovereign purposes even through wicked rulers [13]. The prophet's message underscored the consequences of disobedience to divine commands, even when those commands seemed harsh [10, 11].
Sources
- 1 Kings “When Ben Hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, he said to his servants, “Prepare to attack!” They prepared to attack the city. -- 1 Kings 20:12”
- 1 Kings “He sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, and said to him, “Thus says Ben Hadad, -- 1 Kings 20:2”
- 1 Kings “Therefore he said to the messengers of Ben Hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you sent for to your servant at the first I will do; but this thing I cannot do.’” The messengers departed, and brought him back the message. -- 1 Kings 20:9”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H1130G — King living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A King of Aram living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.15.18; <br>only refer)”
- 1 Kings “Ben Hadad sent to him, and said, “The gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me.” -- 1 Kings 20:10”
- I Kings “I Kings 20:2 (KJV) — And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben–hadad,”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H1410H — Prophet living at the time of United Monarchy (refs: #A prophet living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.22.5; <br>only referred to )”
- 1 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 20 (introduction): Ben-hadad, king of Syria, and thirty-two kings, besiege Samaria, Kg1 20:1. He sends an insulting message to Ahab; and insists on pillaging the whole city, Kg1 20:2-7. The elders of Israel counsel the king not to submit to such shameful conditions, Kg1 20:8. He sends a refusal to Ben-hadad; who, being enraged, vows revenge, Kg1 20:9-12. A prophet comes to Ahab, and promises him victory, and gives him directions how he should order the battle, Kg1 20:13-19. The Syrians are discomfited, and Ben-hadad scarcely escapes, Kg1 20:20, Kg1 20:21. The prophet war”
- 1 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 20 (introduction): This chapter is the history of a war between Ben-hadad king of Syria and Ahab king of Israel, in which Ahab was, once and again, victorious. We read nothing of Elijah or Elishain all this story; Jezebel's rage, it is probable, had abated, and the persecution of the prophets began to cool, which gleam of peace Elijah improved. He appeared not at court, but, being told how many thousands of good people there were in Israel more than he thought of, employed himself, as we may suppose, in founding religious houses, schools, or colleges of prophets, in se”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on 1 Kings 20:35: Hit me now. This sign was bad for Achov, for the prophet said to him by the word of the Almighty to kill Ben-Hadad, and he did not kill him. 24 Achov chose to be gracious to Ben-Hadad even though he had been commanded to destroy Arom. However, dealing mercifully with evildoers is evil in itself because the evildoers will eventually cause others to suffer.—Radak Also, this one to whom the prophet said by the word of God, “Hit me,” and he did not hit him, just as He punished him, He would punish Achov.”
- 1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 20:35: 20:35-43 Ahab’s leniency toward Ben-hadad met with God’s disfavor, portrayed in the symbolic actions of an unidentified prophet. God’s prophets often conveyed the Lord’s message through symbolic actions (Isa 20; Jer 27:1-7; Ezek 4:1-3, 9-17; 5:1-4). Ahab had brought judgment upon himself and his people by sparing an untrustworthy enemy rather than trusting further in the Lord.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on 1 Kings 20:34: He [Ben-Hadad] said. Ben-Hadad [said], “The cities that my father took from your father Omri, I will return to you.””
- 1 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 20:22: We have here an account of another successful campaign which Ahab, by divine aid, made against the Syrians, in which he gave them a greater defeat than in the former. Strange! Ahab idolatrous and yet victorious, a persecutor and yet a conqueror! God has wise and holy ends in suffering wicked men to prosper, and glorifies his own name thereby. I. Ahab is admonished by a prophet to prepare for another war, Kg1 20:22. It should seem, he was now secure, and looked but a little way before him. Those that are careless of their souls are often as careless of their outw”
- 1 Kings (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Kings 20:35: The verdict of God upon Ahab's conduct towards Benhadad. - Kg1 20:35, Kg1 20:36. A disciple of the prophets received instructions from God, to announce to the king that God would punish him for letting Benhadad go, and to do this, as Nathan had formerly done in the case of David (Sa2 12:1.), by means of a symbolical action, whereby the king was led to pronounce sentence upon himself. The disciples of the prophets said to his companion, "in the word of Jehovah," i.e., by virtue of a revelation from God (see at Kg1 13:2), "Smite me;" and when the friend refused”