1 Kings 20:1-11

The Spirit of War.

In human histories so much is made of brilliant uniforms, scientific discipline, skilful manoeuvres, exploits, surprises, and successes, that readers are carried away with "the pomp and circumstance" of so-called "glorious war." In the text we have the other side; and we are reminded of the appeal of James: "From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your own lusts that war in your members?" ( James 4:1 .) Conspicuous amongst these is—

I. THE SPIRIT OF WAR , We see this—

1 . In Ben-hadad's message (verse 3).

(1) We do not understand this to be a demand from Ahab for the actual surrender to Ben-hadad of his "silver" and "gold," "wives" and "children." Else it would be difficult to see any material difference between this first message and that which followed (verse 6).

2 . In his confident boasting .

II. THE SPIRIT OF INJUSTICE . This we see—

1 . In Ben-hadad's requisitions .

2 . In his principles of appeal .

III. THE SPIRIT OF CRUELTY . This appears—

1 . In the provocations .

2 . In the struggles .

(3) Survey the battlefield after the strife. Men and animals dead and dying, mingled; gaping wounds; mangled limbs, sickening horrors I What pictures of cruelty are here!