Applications from 1 Kings 

1 Kings 20:24-30

The Story:

As the story continues we see what was told to Ahab (v.22) come to pass. Ben-hadad forms another army to come at Israel in the plains. It is said that Israel’s army looks like 2 little flocks of goats while the Syrians filled the country. The prophet comes back to Ahab to tell him that once again God will give victory to prove Yahweh is Lord. As the war begins Israel kills 100,000 Syrians in 1 day! While the rest flee, 27,000 were killed when a wall fell on them. So Ben-hadad goes and hides in Aphek.

The Application:

Here we see Israel’s defeated foe gather logic to convince themselves to fight against Israel again. They previously outnumbered Israel and still lost. Now, due to some trumped up advice, they decide to try again.

They just keep coming back. This is not a fight just against Israel, it is a fight against God. Then and now enemies of God can’t help themselves in fighting against anything Godly.

You and I must live with an awareness of this. They kept coming back then, they will keep coming back now. As long as Satan has any power or liberty to act against God in this world…he will keep coming back. As discouraging as it may be, we can never put down our sword in this life. They will keep coming back.

Pastor Chanc Strickland
Harpeth Baptist Church
Kingston Springs, TN

This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Harpeth Baptist Church in the summer of 2012.

Applications from 1 Kings 

1 Kings 20:13-25

If you read the last post, Being used by God means being always Prepared, please skip ahead to the application.

The Story:

As we pick up from last time you will remember that King Ahab and Ben-Hadad have been having a heated exchange of words. Ben-Hadad & 32 allies are ready to attack & Ahab is preparing to fight. As Ben-Hadad commands his men to get ready, a prophet tells Ahab that he is going to be victorious. Ahab goes on to learn that he would begin the fighting, alongside 232 young men followed by 7,000. Israel goes out to fight and wins a great victory sending Ben-Hadad and his allies fleeing. The prophet came back to King Ahab and told him to get ready because the enemy would soon return. Trying to reconcile their great defeat the Syrians conclude that Israel’s God was the God of the hills and if the fighting had happened in the plains they would have been victorious.

The Application:

The Syrians think they have it figured out. They have formed thoughts about God based off of fact. Fact – God is the God of the hills. Syrians thoughts (theology) = We can beat them in the plains. Their fact was not wrong, their theology was short-sighted. God is the God of all, not just hills.

We need to be aware that even for us, poor theology leads to bad decisions. We should never be “short-sighted” with scripture. When we form a line of thinking from the facts of God’s Word we must be sure and do so: In context. Given the entirety of scripture.

If we are careless, we will make bad decisions thinking that we are doing what God wants us to do.

The Conclusion:

When God gives gifts in your life, find a way for them to bring Him glory. Allow yourself to: always be prepared & always being prepared. Be careful with your interpretation of scripture when making decisions.

Pastor Chanc Strickland
Harpeth Baptist Church
Kingston Springs, TN

This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Harpeth Baptist Church in the summer of 2012.

Applications from 1 Kings 

1 Kings 20:13-25

If you read the last post, Gifts from God are for His Purposes, please skip ahead to the application.

The Story:

As we pick up from last time you will remember that King Ahab and Ben-Hadad have been having a heated exchange of words. Ben-Hadad & 32 allies are ready to attack & Ahab is preparing to fight. As Ben-Hadad commands his men to get ready, a prophet tells Ahab that he is going to be victorious. Ahab goes on to learn that he would begin the fighting, alongside 232 young men followed by 7,000. Israel goes out to fight and wins a great victory sending Ben-Hadad and his allies fleeing. The prophet came back to King Ahab and told him to get ready because the enemy would soon return. Trying to reconcile their great defeat the Syrians conclude that Israel’s God was the God of the hills and if the fighting had happened in the plains they would have been victorious.

The Application:

Where did these young men come from? These guys must’ve been the “Rambo’s” of their day. They were Israel’s “special ops” and were ready to go. Ben-Hadad and his army were getting drunk and celebrating.

Where did the 7,000 come from? It is interesting that in 19:18 God says He has 7,000. I am not sure if it is the same bunch, but we do know they were ready. Can you imagine if it were the same group? For a time, God had them hid away. No doubt they wished to be out living. But now, when needed, they were ready.

Notice God didn’t allow Ahab a time of celebration. Even after a great victory he is instructed to get ready to fight again. God didn’t want them to end up like Ben-Hadad and lose a war due to being drunk with the current victory.

Being used by God means being always prepared. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:5) Moderation-we are to avoid extremes. Doing so allows us to always be prepared.

A guy gets saved, gets up the next day to go out and serve God. At his door is a large boulder keeping him from getting out. He goes back and prays with one result, God says PUSH. So for the rest of the day he pushes without moving the rock one inch. He does the same for the next day, week, month. Finally he quits. He tells God this is not what he had in mind when decided to serve. God tells him to go look into the mirror. He is Atlas. No matter where God has you or what He has you doing know it is in preparation. Being used by God means being always prepared.

Pastor Chanc Strickland
Harpeth Baptist Church
Kingston Springs, TN

This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Harpeth Baptist Church in the summer of 2012.

Applications from 1 Kings 

1 Kings 20:13-25

The Story:

As we pick up from last time you will remember that King Ahab and Ben-Hadad have been having a heated exchange of words. Ben-Hadad & 32 allies are ready to attack & Ahab is preparing to fight. As Ben-Hadad commands his men to get ready, a prophet tells Ahab that he is going to be victorious. Ahab goes on to learn that he would begin the fighting, alongside 232 young men followed by 7,000. Israel goes out to fight and wins a great victory sending Ben-Hadad and his allies fleeing. The prophet came back to King Ahab and told him to get ready
because the enemy would soon return. Trying to reconcile their great defeat the Syrians conclude that Israel’s God was the God of the hills and if the fighting had happened in the plains they would have been victorious.

The Application:

What a surprise for King Ahab! God is going to let him win! But, the prophet is sure to remind him that it is so he would know that, “Yahweh is God.” This victory would be a gift from God for Ahab. Before he flexed his muscles and bragged about his amazing military mind, God let him know that it was not about him.

Many times in life you and I get to be part of wonderful things. Remember, it is not about us. Gifts from God are for his purposes. Have you experienced healing? It was for God’s purposes. Have you come into increase? It was for God’s purposes.

Pastor Chanc Strickland
Harpeth Baptist Church
Kingston Springs, TN

This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Harpeth Baptist Church in the summer of 2012.

Applications from 1 Kings 

1 Kings 20:1-12

If you read the last post, Some people just want a fight, please skip ahead to the application.

The Story:

We have left Elijah and Elisha for a while and get to focus on King Ahab. Ben-Hadad King of Syria, along w/32 other Kings, was on the warpath. Approaching Israel he sends word to Ahab requesting all of his silver, gold, wives, and children. To avoid a war Ahab consents, but Ben-Hadad sends back for more. Ben-Hadad now wishes to have complete possession and control. Ahab calls his elders together and explains how he tried to avoid war, but Ben-Hadad seems to just be looking for a fight. They advise Ahab to not consent. Ben-Hadad responds w/a threat to which Ahab responds w/his own threat. At this point Ben-Hadad orders his armies to prepare for battle.

The Application:

We have, of course, used this application before in 1 Kings. However, it is very unique in this situation, because in his stand Ahab replies this way to Ben-hadad. He says, “One who is just preparing for war shouldn’t boast as one who has just finished war. ” Or, “He who is just putting his armor on shouldn’t speak as one who is taking it off.”

After a ‘big-talking’ threat from Ben-hadad, Ahab replies with talk of his own. Only, Ahab’s talk is laced with wisdom and given in a more diplomatic manner. He essentially tells Ben-hadad that he shouldn’t count his chickens before they hatch!

While there is an application to be made there, I want to focus elsewhere since we have covered that application already. Let’s place our focus around Ahab’s manner in communication. Already we have established that he tried to avoid this conflict. Now, with war eminent, he still holds himself well: He remains composed, He chooses his words wisely, He stands his ground.

Keep your composure. Even when facing threats from a drunken savage, Ahab has manners and diplomacy. How many times do we find ourselves stooping to the level of those we are dealing with? Keep your composure.

Choose your words wisely. Once the composure is gone, the words begin to spew! Ahab gave a fitting reply full of wise words. Even while “talking smack” back to Ben-Hadad he said it in a way that would not later embarrass him or his nation.
“If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all…” When dealing with a Ben-hadad say what you must but be careful you don’t have to eat your words later.

Stand your ground. There are biblical grounds for us to ‘turn the other cheek’. But, sometimes we must stand our ground. Ahab was given the task as leader of the nation of God’s people. Once an outsider decided to try and completely take over Ahab had to stand his ground….So must we at times.

Pastor Chanc Strickland
Harpeth Baptist Church
Kingston Springs, TN

This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Harpeth Baptist Church in the summer of 2012.

Applications from 1 Kings 

1 Kings 20:1-12

If you read the last post, Giving a little to save a lot, please skip ahead to the application.

The Story:

We have left Elijah and Elisha for a while and get to focus on King Ahab. Ben-Hadad King of Syria, along w/32 other Kings, was on the warpath. Approaching Israel he sends word to Ahab requesting all of his silver, gold, wives, and children. To avoid a war Ahab consents, but Ben-Hadad sends back for more. Ben-Hadad now wishes to have complete possession and control. Ahab calls his elders together and explains how he tried to avoid war, but Ben-Hadad seems to just be looking for a fight. They advise Ahab to not consent. Ben-Hadad responds w/a threat to which Ahab responds w/his own threat. At this point Ben-Hadad orders his armies to prepare for battle.

The Application:

Ahab tried his best to avoid war, but Ben-hadad (in his drunken stupor) was on the take.

Some people just want a fight. Even Jesus, our example in ‘cheek turning’, found that the religion of His day just wanted to fight. Notice Ahab’s actions once he became aware of this.

He resorted to a multitude of counselors. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. (Proverbs 15:22) Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14) When we encounter someone who just wants to fight, we should depend upon the counsel of a multitude of faithful friends.

He operated boldly. When right, our boldness is merited and often our best defense. A bully is usually scared by someone actually willing to fight. Operate boldly once you have exhausted attempts to reconcile.

Pastor Chanc Strickland
Harpeth Baptist Church
Kingston Springs, TN

This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Harpeth Baptist Church in the summer of 2012.

Applications from 1 Kings 

1 Kings 20:1-12

The Story:

We have left Elijah and Elisha for a while and get to focus on King Ahab. Ben-Hadad King of Syria, along w/32 other Kings, was on the warpath. Approaching Israel he sends word to Ahab requesting all of his silver, gold, wives, and children. To avoid a war Ahab consents, but Ben-Hadad sends back for more. Ben-Hadad now wishes to have complete possession and control. Ahab calls his elders together and explains how he tried to avoid war, but Ben-Hadad seems to just be looking for a fight. They advise Ahab to not consent. Ben-Hadad responds w/a threat to which Ahab responds w/his own threat. At this point Ben-Hadad orders his armies to prepare for battle.

The Application:

In the end of our reading today we see Ahab stand his ground. However, in the beginning he tried his best to avoid a conflict. He was willing to give a little to save a lot. Ahab never gave a thing, he just communicated that he would.

This is a hard application for most to make in life. We feel so threatened or lacking where we stand that we act as if we lost just a little we might collapse. It is important that we ‘count the cost’ of the battle we are preparing to fight and decide which end would leave the most.

The only way you can ever come to such terms is to begin to be secure where you are. Know what you believe & be able to defend it. Be comfortable in the fact that not all will agree. Realize that some are not worth the fight.

Pastor Chanc Strickland
Harpeth Baptist Church
Kingston Springs, TN

This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Harpeth Baptist Church in the summer of 2012.

Applications from 1 Kings 

1 Kings 19:15-21

If you read the last post, It won’t always be you, please skip ahead to the application.

The Story:

In the reading tonight we come in as God tells Elijah to, “Go..”

He is putting him back to work, his rest is over. Anoint Hazael King of Syria. Anoint Jael King of Israel. Anoint Elisha prophet.

Next God tells Elijah that he is not alone, there is a remnant of 7000
who have not bowed to Baal. Elijah goes and finds Elisha and throws his mantle on him. Elisha settles his affairs and begins to follow Elijah.

The Application:

Elisha left his work. He left the oxen. He stopped working and tended to the business Elijah had.

Elisha left his family. On Elijah’s approval he went back long enough to say goodbye. But he left his family.

Elisha went so far as to burn any bridge allowing him to return. Notice Elisha’s extreme actions: He killed his oxen. He burned his tools. He cooked the oxen with the fire from the tools. Elijah left all and had a feast to commemorate it! Jesus alludes to this in Luke 9:62, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” In following Jesus we must leave the old life behind.

Many need to leave it all behind like Elijah. Sure there are bridges in life that we need not burn. But the bridges to our old life/self need to be permanently destroyed. We should leave no option for ever becoming that person again.

Leave it and as you go have a feast to celebrate your new life!

The Conclusion:

Go, Realize it won’t always be you, Leave it all behind.

Pastor Chanc Strickland
Harpeth Baptist Church
Kingston Springs, TN

This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Harpeth Baptist Church in the summer of 2012.

Applications from 1 Kings 

1 Kings 19:15-21

If you read the last post, Rest is over, go, please skip ahead to the application.

The Story:

In the reading tonight we come in as God tells Elijah to, “Go..”

He is putting him back to work, his rest is over. Anoint Hazael King of Syria. Anoint Jael King of Israel. Anoint Elisha prophet.

Next God tells Elijah that he is not alone, there is a remnant of 7000
who have not bowed to Baal. Elijah goes and finds Elisha and throws his mantle on him. Elisha settles his affairs and begins to follow Elijah.

The Application:

In verse 16 God tells Elijah that Elisha will become prophet in his place. He sends him to go and anoint him. Elijah finds him in verse 19 and casts his mantle upon him. This is a symbolic way of transferring the prophetic power from one man to the next.

Notice Elijah’s actions. He simply goes to Elisha as God told him to do. He doesn’t argue with God that there didn’t need to be a different prophet. He doesn’t explain to God how he can still handle this.

When he finds him he immediately gives him the mantle. He doesn’t interview Elisha to make sure he will be a good fit. He doesn’t ask around about Elisha. He doesn’t even plan a retirement ceremony with the “traditional passing of the mantle ritual”! Elijah realized his time was coming to a close…he realized “it won’t always be you.”

Notice Elisha’s actions. He was working. Elisha wasn’t sitting around trying to decipher God’s will. Elisha was busy doing what he knew to do. He set things in order and went.

It won’t always be you. Be ready to pass off the duty God has trusted you with to the next person. When their time comes, let them have it (i.e. cast his mantle upon him). If you are the “Elisha” in this situation, be ready and willing.

Pastor Chanc Strickland
Harpeth Baptist Church
Kingston Springs, TN

This blog post was adapted from a sermon preached at Harpeth Baptist Church in the summer of 2012.