1 Kings 20:33-35
The Voice
33 The servants watched carefully and perceived this to be a sign, and they replied with surprise.
Ben-hadad’s Servants: Yes, that’s right. Your brother, Ben-hadad.
Ahab: Bring Ben-hadad to me.
Ben-hadad came out of the city to Israel’s king, and Ahab allowed him to come up into the royal chariot.
Ben-hadad (to Ahab): 34 I will return all the cities that my father took from your father. Lay your own streets in Damascus, so you may market your goods there, just like the ones my father laid in Samaria.
Ahab: Under this covenant, I will release you.
So Ahab and Ben-hadad entered into a covenant with one another; then Ahab released Ben-hadad.
Remember that God has given Ben-hadad to Ahab. By orchestrating Ahab’s victory, the Lord reduces the power of the Arameans, whom He has used to discipline Israel, and now trusts Israel to keep Aram in check. Unfortunately, Ahab is easily bribed, tempted by Ben-hadad’s offer of land and trade opportunities in exchange for his freedom. Once again it is a prophet who shows Ahab his error in abandoning God’s plan by physically demonstrating how Ahab abused God.
35 By the word of the Eternal, one of the prophets’ sons made a request to another man.
Prophet’s Son: Hit me.
Man: No.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
