Wednesday, May 2, 2012

1 Kings 20- Faithless Brothers - Ahab & Ben-hadad

And exactly why is Ahab winning the war against Ben-hadad?  Because he is so faithful?  Not!  Ahab is still the most faithless king of Israel.  Victory is simply what God decides for Ahab or more probably for Israel. 

I wonder what Ahab really means when he says in regard to Ben-hadad, "Doe's he still live?  He is my brother."   It is just strange that Ahab would consider him a comrade, a friend after all they have just gone through.  My first reaction is that somehow they have a closer relatinship than scripture relates.  But, since scripture does not support (to my limited knowledge) that Ahab and Ben-hadad were brothers by birth in any way, I assume that he meant they were brothers of kindred hearts. Still it's a strange word to use.  After all doesn't being a brothers means way more than just being a comrade or friend.  To call one a brother and they are not implies a relationship beyond mere acquantaine.  What does it mean to call someone who has been your enemy, who has attacked you and your people, your brother?   What does it mean to befriend and support one whom the LORD has reached His hand out against? 

Come to think of it...  Maybe that is why Ahab considers themselves brothers?  They are both faithless, warring men.  It does not matter how matter how many of their subjects have died in their battles, as long as they live.  Just maybe, they are brothers who will protect each other because they both have the same status - kings.  And... no one else matters, not even God.  I think "kindred spirits" is what some would call Ahab and Ben-hadad - warring, faithless men.

Don't know, just surmising.  Jesus did say we are to love our enemy.  I am not denying that.  But, I wonder, should we not love and care for and protect those people who are in our charge, as well?  Should we not protect them from their enemy?  Who exactly is our brother?  The one's we have been called to care for, to shepherd or the wolf who would destroy our charges?

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