Give it a Shot

1 Kings 22:34

INTRODUCTION: This verse contains a most interesting truth, but in order to grasp the depths of this truth one must do a background study on the life and behaviour of Ahab, king of Israel. Once that is accomplished the beauty of this passage can come to light and we can see how the truths contained herein should prove to be a great motivation to those of us who are saved.

I. THE REIGN OF AHAB

A. His Counterparts (1 Kings 16:29)

1. Asa—3 years
2. Jehoshaphat—19 years (1 Kings 22:41)

B. His Summary (1 Kings 16:30-34)

1. He did evil in the sight of the LORD (1 Kings 16:30).
2. He led his people to worship Baal (1 Kings 16:31-32).
3. He made a grove (1 Kings 16:33).
4. He allowed the rebuild of Jericho (1 Kings 16:34).

II. THE CHARACTER OF AHAB

A. His Ill Treatment of the Prophets (1 Kings 18:3-4; 1 Kings 19:1-2)

1. Jezebel had cut off the prophets of the LORD (1 Kings 18:3).
2. A man named Obadiah hid 100 of the LORD’s prophets and fed them with bread and water (1 Kings 18:4).
3. He went home and told Jezebel of Elijah’s victory and allowed her to threaten him for his accomplishment (1 Kings 19:1-2).

B. His Failure in Battle (1 Kings 20:1-43)

1. He was blessed by God to enjoy two victories over the Syrians.
2. However, he failed to destroy Ben-hadad and would instead suffer death because of his failure (1 Kings 20:42-43).

C. His Theft of Naboth’s Vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-29)

1. Ahab requested that Naboth relinquish his vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-4).
2. When Naboth refused, Ahab pouted to Jezebel (1 Kings 21:5-7).
3. Jezebel promised and delivered the vineyard by murder (1 Kings 21:8-16).
4. God sent Elijah to promise death to Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 21:17-29).

D. His Determination to Battle Syria (1 Kings 22:1-29)

1. He appealed to Judah for assistance (1 Kings 22:1-4).
2. He enquired of false prophets (1 Kings 22:5-6).
3. He delayed to enquire of the prophet of God (1 Kings 22:7-28).
4. He went to battle despite the word of the LORD (1 Kings 22:29).

III. THE DEATH OF AHAB

A. The Scheme of Ahab (1 Kings 22:30-33)

1. He disguised himself and entered the battle (1 Kings 22:30).
2. The king of Syria explained his priority in battle (1 Kings 22:31-33).

B. The Shot of a Man (1 Kings 22:34)

1. His identity—“a certain man”
2. His willingness
a. He drew a bow
b. AT A VENTURE; this means the odds of success were wildly against the man
3. His success—“smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness”; in other words, the arrow snuck in where only the LORD could have directed it

C. The Word of the LORD (1 Kings 22:35-38)

1. The circumstances (1 Kings 22:35-38)
2. The confirmation (1 Kings 22:38)

CONCLUSION: The LORD had a task He desired to accomplish, but He needed somebody to take a shot. The odds appeared to be unachievable, but they were far greater than the man could have imagined.