1 Kings 20:40

The Neglected Opportunity.

Ben-hadad II . was seeking his revenge for a defeat inflicted on him the preceding year by the Israelitish army, led by a band of 232 young noblemen. He had disciplined his army, and reofficered it, no longer allowing money or family influence to supersede military skill. Everything that organization could accomplish or superstition dictate ( 1 Kings 20:23 ) had been done, but all proved in vain; for the contest was not simply between Ben-hadad and Ahab, but between the heathen and the living God who had been blasphemously challenged. Describe Ben-hadad's successful appeal to Ahab after the defeat. Why was it not commendable (as it was, for example, after the siege of Calais) to spare the vanquished? Because the motive was not pity, but policy; and the criminal allowed to escape had avowedly fought as Jehovah s foe. It is sometimes "expedient that one man should die for the people." Ben-hadad's death would have been the salvation of Ahab, who in the next war fell mortally wounded; it would have ensured a lasting peace, as this was the campaign of the Syrian king, rather than of the Syrian]people; and it would hare seriously shaken the confidence of the heathen in their gods. The king let his prisoner go to his own undoing. It was this sin which was now rebuked. Picture Ahab returning from the field flushed with victory. He is accosted by a man who has been sitting wounded and dusty beside the road. He is a disguised prophet, probably Micaiah, acting a parable. Says he, in effect: "I have come from the battle. In the hour of victory, the captain, whom I acknowledge I was bound to obey, gave me in charge a prisoner of note, saying that if he escaped my life should answer for it. I admit that I failed, though not designedly; but while thy servant was busy here and there he was gone. Ought I to suffer for that slight negligence?" And when Ahab answered, "Yes," the disguise was flung off, and the daring prophet appeared, saying, "In pronouncing my doom, thou hast pronounced thine own." [Read 1 Kings 20:42 and 1 Kings 20:43 .] The prophet set before the king a picture of his neglect of opportunity which is worthy of our study. We observe—

I. THAT OPPORTUNITY IS GIVEN OF GOD . "There is a time forevery purpose under heaven." Examples:

II. THAT OPPORTUNITY IS GRANTED TO ALL . If you would discover this,

III. THAT OPPORTUNITY IS NEGLECTED BY MANY . TWO causes of this may be suggested:

CONCLUSION .—

1. Apply to Christians who are neglecting work for God .

2. Apply to the careless who are neglecting decision for God . —A.R.