Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online
Prophet Elijah had just found Elisha his new apprentice and they were around the way getting their ministry of partnership established. While back at Samaria we find that God had just started to begin phase two of a three phase plan to further punish Israel for their continued sinning. "The Lord said to him, 'Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. "When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.'" This second phase would begin with Ben-Hadad king of Aram bringing along with him -- what I would like to call his: Thirty-two Kings of Mass Destruction. Now we are not told the background or the specifics of who these thirty-two kings were. We can only assume that they were probably kingdoms that had surrender and became vassals to Ben-Hadad from his past wars. We find that Ben-Hadad is using the same war methods that have been so successful for him in the past, to wage war against Ahab and the Israel nation. Now we are not exactly sure why Ben-Hadad decided to attack Samaria, for there is no known record of conflict between the two kings. We can only assume that since this has to do with God's plan, that maybe God had placed some kind notion that deals with pride and arrogance into Ben-Hadad's heart and mind? After Ben-Hadad positions himself and his men, he sends his demands to Ahab; informing him that the sliver and gold that he now possesses belongs to him: the best of your wives and children are now his as well. With an army that consisted of thirty-three kingdoms in total, Ahab finds that the odds are against him in a big way. He responds back to Ben-Hadad by agreeing to his demands. Now, Ben-Hadad takes it a step farther by demanding more from Ahab: "I sent to demand your silver and gold, your wives and your children. But about this time tomorrow I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will seize everything of value and carry it away." After Ahab had heard Ben-Hadad's new demands, he decides to summon all the elders of the land. The Israel king starts to express his frustration by explaining to the elders that Ben-Hadad has become very unreasonable: "See how this man is looking for trouble! When he sent for my wives and my children, my sliver and my gold, I did not refuse him." After hearing this, the elders responded back to Ahab by saying: "Don't listen to him or agree to his demands." So after hearing the advice from his elders, Ahab sent word back to Ben-Hadad informing him that he will do all that he had asked the first time -- but this second set of demands he cannot meet. Word gets back to Ben-Hadad and he seems irritated by Ahab's refusal. So he sends word back to Ahab: "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if enough dust remains in Samaria to give each of my men a handful." Now Ahab seems offended behind Ben-Hadad's arrogance and greed and responds by saying: "One who puts on his armor should not boast like the one who takes it off." When Ben-Hadad had heard Ahab's response, he was sitting around the pavilions along with the other thirty-two kings and they were all getting drunk. So he shouted out to them: "Prepare to attack!" Meanwhile back at Ahab's palace we find that the king has been blessed with the counsel from one of the Lords prophets? Could that be right, Ahab receiving counsel from a prophet of God? Why would God help the wicked king Ahab? Now this would seem like a puzzling change of events. But we must keep in mind that when it comes to God, things must happen within a particular order. Do you remember the Scripture near the top of this page? God had given prophet Elijah a set of instructions which consisted of three phases. First: Anoint Hazael to be king over Aram. This has not and can not be done yet; Ben-Hadad is still king over Aram. Second: Anoint Jehu to be king over Israel. Well, Ahab is still king over Israel so this can't happen yet. Third: Find Elisha and make him your successor. Prophet Elijah has found Elisha now he must train him so he can become his successor. So you see, other things must be taken care of before the end goal can take place. So in the meantime, God will use this situation to try to remove Ben-Hadad from his throne and punish king Ahab later after the three phases have been completed.
**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 02) Obadiah and the Caves of Refuge 03) The Fire Contest Between God & Baal 04) The Gift of Rain That Came From The Heavens 05) Elisha The Prophet Apprentice 06) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 07) Ben-Hadad The Drunken King 09) The Prophets of the Groves 10) Micaiah The One True Prophet 13) Elijah and the Chariot of Fire 14) Elisha the Miracle Prophet  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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