Ahab’s Death Despite Precautions

Synopsis     1Kings 22:33-42     7/16/2019 

Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah. And Ahab was the king of Israel. The two kings were reconciled for the first time since Jeroboam led Israel to separate from Judah.  

Together they decided to attack the city of Ramoth-gilead, which had been taken by the Arameans. Jehoshaphat quickly recognized that he was overwhelmed and fled the battle. But despite disguising his true identity, Ahab was hit by an arrow and mortally wounded.  

Ahab sat propped up in his chariot long enough to see the Israelites defeated in battle. Then he died. And afterward, his body was returned to Samaria in his combat chariot. There, his men washed the blood from the chariot at the city well. There the dogs lapped up his blood in accordance with the prophecy of God.  

Ahab’s Death Despite Precautions 

King Ahab took the precaution of disguising his identity so he wouldn’t become the object of the battle. It wasn’t enough. A seemingly errant arrow found it way between the joints of his well-crafted armor.  

Death Despite Precautions 

It’s a frustration of life that I can’t control circumstances. No amount of statistical inference can prevent any particular outcome. No amount of body armor can guarantee that life will last another day. Or another hour. Or another minute.  

The outcome of all particular circumstances belongs to the Lord alone.   

“In his hand is the soul of every living thing, and the life breath of all mortal flesh.” Job 12:10