1 Kings 21:25-29

Ahab's Repentance.

After the terrible sentence pronounced by Elijah upon Ahab for his enormities follows this account of his repentance. The record teaches—

I. THAT THERE IS REPENTANCE FOR THE VILEST .

1. Ahab answered this description .

2 . Yet Ahab took God's message to heart .

3 . He humbled himself accordingly .

II. THAT THERE IS MERCY FOR THE PENITENT .

1 . God observed the repentance of Ahab .

2 . He called the attention of Elijah to it .

3 . He extended His mercy to the supplicant .

(a) To Ahab personally. It was something to be spared the pain of witnessing the judgments of God upon his wicked house; but, what is still more considerable, this mercy contained a promise respecting the world to come; for, and especially in prophecy, things visible are signs or portents of things spiritual.

(b) It was also a benefit to his nation. For after this, probably, came the war with Ben-hadad, in which God interposed in a very remarkable manner on behalf of His people. In the Septuagint, which translation was made from much older copies of the Hebrew Bible than any now extant, this chapter and that here before it change places; and the order in the Septuagint is also followed by Josephus.

HOMILIES BY A. ROWLAND