1 Kings 20:1-12 ESV
Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. Thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and closed in on Samaria and fought against it. 2 And he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad: 3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your best wives and children also are mine.’” 4 And the king of Israel answered, “As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have.” 5 The messengers came again and said, “Thus says Ben-hadad: ‘I sent to you, saying, “Deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children.” 6 Nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants and lay hands on whatever pleases you and take it away.’”
7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble, for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.” 8 And all the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.” 9 So he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you first demanded of your servant I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’” And the messengers departed and brought him word again. 10 Ben-hadad sent to him and said, “The gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me.” 11 And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’” 12 When Ben-hadad heard this message as he was drinking with the kings in the booths, he said to his men, “Take your positions.” And they took their positions against the city.

THE THREAT.
Benhadad, king of Aram, headed a powerful alliance with 32 other kings to put pressure to Israel. Having wanted to make Israel a vassal state, he demanded Asa to deliver to him his treasures, wives and children. Ahab was agreeable at first. But, Benhadad had sent his messengers again to demand for more. Nothing could appease a greedy oppressor. Benhadad’s demand was extensive [everything you value]. Intrusive [search your palace] and immediate[by tomorrow]

This caused Ahab to consult his elders, who advised him not to give in to his demands. This infuriated King Benhadad so that he threatened and taunted them.

Ahab was a wicked king. But, his decision to ask counsel from the elders was commendable. Is the non-mention of Jezebel mean that he did not want her to involve? Perhaps. “In an abundance of counselors there is safety.”[Prov 11:14] A wicked leader like Ahab may get the right decision if he listens to godly counselors. On the other hand, a good king may make a terrible decision if he listens to ungodly counselors.

Perhaps, you are threatened at your work places to give in to moral compromises. You might think the compromise is minuscule. But, the oppressor’s greed is insatiable as a tiger that had tasted blood. This man will demand more from you as the tiger will not satisfy unless he devours the prey. Thus, let’s nip it at the bud before it blossoms.

Secondly, in times of pressure, we need a godly community for godly counsel. Our ability to make right decisions could be affected by fear or panic. Definitely, God can use the perspective of others to broaden our minds.

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