Chapter Twenty-Two

 Ki 22:1  And they continued three years; there was no war between Syria and Israel. 

1Ki 22:2  And it happened in the third year, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 

1Ki 22:3  And the king of Israel said to his servants, Have you known that Ramoth-gilead is ours? And we remain still from taking it from the king of Syria's hand. 

1Ki 22:4  And he said to Jehoshaphat, Will you go to battle with me, to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as you, my people as your people; my horses as your horses. 

1Ki 22:5  And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Please inquire at the Word of Jehovah today. 

1Ki 22:6  And the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, that the Lord may give it into the hand of the king. 

1Ki 22:7  And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we might inquire of him? 

1Ki 22:8  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Yet one man, to seek Jehovah by him. But I hate him, for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil, Micaiah the son of Imlah. And Jehoshaphat said, let not the king say so. 

1Ki 22:9  And the king of Israel called to a certain eunuch and said, Cause Micaiah the son of Imlah to hurry. 

1Ki 22:10  And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah each was sitting on his throne having put on their robes, in a grain-floor in the entrance of the gate of Samaria. And all the prophets prophesied before them. 

1Ki 22:11  And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself. And he said, So says Jehovah, With these you shall push the Syrians until you have consumed them. 

1Ki 22:12  And all the prophets were prophesying so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper. For Jehovah shall give it into the king's hand. 

1Ki 22:13  And the messenger that had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets with one mouth are good to the king. Please let your word be as the word of one of them, and speak good. 

1Ki 22:14  And Micaiah said, As Jehovah lives, Surely that which Jehovah says to me, that I will speak. 

1Ki 22:15  And he came in to the king. And the king said to him, Micaiah, shall we go to battle to Ramoth-gilead, or shall we forbear? And he said to him, Go up, and prosper, and Jehovah shall give it into the king's hand. 

1Ki 22:16  And the king said to him, How many times have I adjured you that you shall speak nothing to me but truth in the name of Jehovah? 

1Ki 22:17  And he said, I have seen all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep that have no shepherd. And Jehovah said, These have no ruler; they shall each return to his house in peace. 

1Ki 22:18  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not say to you, He will not prophesy good of me, but evil? 

1Ki 22:19  And he said, Therefore, hear the Word of Jehovah: I saw Jehovah sitting on His throne, and all the host of Heaven were standing by Him, on His right and on His left. 

1Ki 22:20  And Jehovah said, Who shall entice Ahab, and he shall go up and fall in Ramoth-gilead? And this one said this, and this one said that. 

1Ki 22:21  And a spirit came forth and stood before Jehovah, and said, I surely will entice him. 

1Ki 22:22  And Jehovah said to him, By what means? And he said, I will go out and shall be a spirit of falsehood in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said, You shall entice him, and also you are able. Go out and do so. 

1Ki 22:23  And now, behold, Jehovah has put a spirit of falsehood in the mouth of all these prophets of yours; and Jehovah has spoken evil as to you! 

1Ki 22:24  And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Where did the Spirit of Jehovah pass over from me to speak with you? 

1Ki 22:25  And Micaiah said, Behold, You shall see on that day when you go into the innermost room to be hidden. 

1Ki 22:26  And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the ruler of the city, and to Joash the king's son, 

1Ki 22:27  and say, So says the king, Put this one in the house of restraint, and cause him to eat the bread of oppression, and the water of oppression, until I come in peace. 

1Ki 22:28  And Micaiah said, If you at all return in peace, Jehovah has not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, O people, all of them. 

1Ki 22:29  And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 

1Ki 22:30  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and enter into the battle. But you put on your robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle. 

1Ki 22:31  And the king of Syria commanded the thirty two commanders of the chariots, saying, You shall not fight with small or great, but with the king of Israel. 

1Ki 22:32  And it happened when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, Surely he is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight with him. And Jehoshaphat cried out. 

1Ki 22:33  And it happened when the commanders of the chariots saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from following him. 

1Ki 22:34  And a man drew a bow in his simplicity, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints and the breastplate. And he said to his charioteer, Turn your hand and take me out from the host, for I have been wounded. 

1Ki 22:35  And on that day the battle went on, and the king was caused to stand up in the chariot against Syria. And he died in the evening, and the blood of the wound poured out into the middle of the chariot. 

1Ki 22:36  And the cry passed through the camp when the sun went, saying, Each to his city, and each to his land. 

1Ki 22:37  And the king died, and came to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. 

1Ki 22:38  And they rinsed the chariot by the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood when they had washed the armor, according to the Word of Jehovah that He spoke. 

1Ki 22:39  And the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the house of ivory that he built, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Matters of the Days of the Kings of Israel? 

1Ki 22:40  And Ahab lay with his fathers. And his son Ahaziah reigned in his place. 

1Ki 22:41  And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa reigned over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab the king of Israel. 

1Ki 22:42  He was a son of thirty five years when he began to reign. And he reigned twenty five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 

1Ki 22:43  And he walked in all the ways of his father Asa. He did not turn aside from it, doing right in the eyes of Jehovah. But the high places were not taken away; the people offered and burned incense yet in the high places. 

1Ki 22:44  And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. 

1Ki 22:45  And the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, are they not written in the Book of the Matters of the Days of the Kings of Judah? 

1Ki 22:46  And he took out of the land the rest of the sodomites which remained in the days of his father Asa. 

1Ki 22:47  No king was in Edom; a deputy was king. 

1Ki 22:48  Jehoshaphat had ten ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold. But they did not go, for the ships were broken at Eziongeber. 

1Ki 22:49  Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with your servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat was not willing. 

1Ki 22:50  And Jehoshaphat lay with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David. And his son Jehoram reigned in his place. 

1Ki 22:51  Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel. 

1Ki 22:52  And he did evil in the eyes of Jehovah, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 

1Ki 22:53  For he served Baal, and bowed to it, and provoked to anger Jehovah the God of Israel, according to all his father had done. 

Verses 1-12 Summary: Jehoshaphat visits Ahab. Ahab asks Jehoshaphat if he would fight with him to take Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat tells Ahab to inquire of God. Ahab inquires of his priests, they encourage him to go. Jehoshaphat realizes these "prophets" are phony and tells Ahab to get a real prophet. Ahab says there is one "Micaiah" "but I hate him." (Micaiah speaks God's harsh words against Ahab). Micaiah is sent for and the false prophets continue to tell Ahab to go to war.

3. Though Jehoshaphat was a good king, his relationship with Ahab was obviously a mistake. Look up *2Chron. 18:1 and 2 Kings 8:16-18 to see how he established his friendship with Ahab:

*Jehoshaphat's son married a daughter of Ahab. 
2Ki 8:18  Jehoram disobeyed the LORD by doing wrong. He married Ahab's daughter and was as sinful as Ahab's family and the kings of Israel. 

Verses 13-23 Summary: The king's messenger finds Micaiah and tells him to go prophesy and that everyone else is encouraging the king for war and he should do the same. Micaiah promises to speak what God tells him to say. Before Ahab, Micaiah tells Ahab to go to war and win. Ahab tells him to speak only the truth, so Micaiah prophesies Ahab's defeat. Micaiah explains that God has sent a spirit of false influence to Ahab's prophets to lie to him.

4. What are some of the things that we learn about the heavenly realm from the story told by Micaiah? God discusses things. He looks for volunteers. He will use an evil spirit to accomplish His will (of judgement). Does this mean we are void of free will? How does Paul address this in Romans 9? If you look at Romans chapter nine, he addresses the accusation against God judging something He made. If He made it for evil purposes, how can He justify judging it? 
In his answer, he first remands the accuser saying "who are you to accuse God." Which we know as a true observation. More to the point, he continues on to show how all things, even evil, will come around to glorifying Him. In each instance, the actions by humans are by choice and character. Paul's main argument is to smash the bigotry against Gentiles.   

5. What New Testament passage would indicate that God would do a similar thing today as He did through the false prophets?

Mar 4:10  And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 

Mar 4:11  And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, 

Mar 4:12  so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’” 

This is a reference to Isaiah 6 which is a judgement call by God. It got to this point BECAUSE of the hearts and actions of people.

6. What are the similarities and differences between the false prophets and Micaiah? How could a person know the difference? If Micaiah was a Levite priest, he would have dressed the part, although the others may have worn similar clothes. In this incident, it was apparent to Ahab that Micaiah was being sarcastic when he told the king to go to war. Was it his delivery? Not sure, but he said it in a way that Ahab knew what was up. In the end, Micaiah was the only one with God's truth. He didn't care what anyone thought. Nor did he even care for his own life. When it comes to God's word, you just don't mess with it. THAT is what separated him from the rest of these characters.

Verses 24-28 Summary: Zedekiah smacks Micaiah out of rage (since his prophesy has been implicated as false). Ahab has Micaiah arrested until Ahab "returns in peace." Micaiah states that if Ahab returns, Micaiah's prophesy is false. (Confirming Ahab will die in battle - see 17)

7. What does Zedekiah mean by his statement to Micaiah in verse 24? "I'm the real prophet, why would God talk to you neener neener neener." Yeah, Zedekiah was saying he was more important, he would know if God spoke with Micaiah but He did not, and was obviously embarrassed for losing face in front of the king and the other four hundred wrong guys. 

Verses 29-40 Summary: Ahab and Jehoshaphat go to battle?! Ahab tells Jehoshaphat to put on his robes and Ahab will disguise himself. The Syrian king ordered the chariots to seek out the king of Israel only (Ahab). They mistook Jehoshaphat as Israel's king and charged him. Once they realized he was not Ahab, they broke off the attack. A bowman shot Ahab and Ahab ended up bleeding out and died. He is buried in Samaria and his son Ahaziah takes over. (God's prophecy of dogs licking up Ahab's blood comes to pass).

8. Look at 2Chron. 19:2 and discover God's words to Jehoshaphat after returning from the battle with the Syrians: By helping that wicked Ahab, you have made friends with someone who hates the LORD. Now the LORD God is angry at you! Uh oh, what does this say about how we should choose important relationships?
2Cor. 16:4 Unequally yoked with unbelievers. (See Deut.22:10) - Fortunately for Jehoshaphat this was not the overall case. He was a good king that sought after God, had a good heart toward his people, and truly respected Jehovah. This incident was a slip. 

Verses 41-50 Summary: Jehoshaphat was king for 25 years. He was a good king like Asa, continuing to NOT commit idolatry. He removed what was left of the sodomites for his realm. The high places were still intact. Jehoram reigns after Jehoshaphat. 

2Cron. 17, 19-20: Read these chapters and jot down some of the other works of Jehoshaphat that tell of the greatness of his reign:
17) Strengthens defenses against Israel. Remains faithful to Jehovah. The people like him. HE sends Levite teachers throughout the land to teach them God's laws. Surrounding nations fear God/peace. Enemies send him gifts. Builds fortresses/cities. Over 1mil. soldiers. 
18) Rich, famous. Chapter is similar to 1Kings 22.

19) God is angry with the alliance with Ahab, but pleased the he removed Asherah. Jehoshphat encourages his people to worship God. Assigns judges, tells them "be careful, these are God's people." The judicial system is per God's pattern. Tells his people, "Faithfully serve the Lord." 

20) Edom/Ammon/Meunites war with Judah. Jehoshaphat prays a fervent public prayer to God. Jahaziel prophecies victory without any battle. Judah moves out to the desert singing a song led by Jehoshaphat, "Praise the Lord, His love never ends." When they crest the hill, they see that the enemy became confused by the song and killed each other. Judah takes the spoils. They stop in a valley to sing to God (Praise Valley). Go directly to the temple.

Verses 51-53 Summary: Ahaziah is an evil king over Israel (after his father Ahab). 

Chapter Twenty-One

 1Ki 21:1  And it happened after these things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, near the palace of Ahab the king of Samaria. 

1Ki 21:2  And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me your vineyard, and it shall be a garden of green herbs for me, for it is near my house. And I will give to you in its place a better vineyard than it. If it is good in your eyes, I will give silver to you, the price of this one. 

1Ki 21:3  And Naboth said to Ahab, Far be it from me, by Jehovah, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you. 

1Ki 21:4  And Ahab came into his house sullen and angry over the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken. For he had said, I will not give the inheritance of my fathers to you. And he lay on his bed and turned away his face, and would not eat food. 

1Ki 21:5  And his wife Jezebel came in to him, and said to him, Why is your spirit sullen that you are not eating food? 

1Ki 21:6  And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you desire, I will give you a vineyard in its place. And he said, I will not give you my vineyard. 

1Ki 21:7  And his wife Jezebel said to him, Do you now rule over Israel? Rise up, eat food and let your heart be good. I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. 

1Ki 21:8  And she wrote letters in the name of Ahab, and sealed with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles of his city, dwelling with Naboth. 

1Ki 21:9  And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. 

1Ki 21:10  And set two men, sons of worthlessness, across from him; and they shall testify of him, saying, You have cursed God and the king. And they shall bring him out and stone him; and he shall die. 

1Ki 21:11  And the men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, as was written in the letters that she sent to them. 

1Ki 21:12  They proclaimed a fast, and made Naboth to sit at the head of the people. 

1Ki 21:13  And two men, sons of worthlessness, came in and sat across from him. And the men of worthlessness testified of him before the people, even Naboth, saying, Naboth has cursed God and the king. And they took him out to the outside of the city, and stoned him with stones. And he died. 

1Ki 21:14  And they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth has been stoned and is dead. 

1Ki 21:15  And it happened when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned, and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, Rise up, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, that he refused to give to you for silver. For Naboth is not alive, but dead. 

1Ki 21:16  And it happened, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab rose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. 

1Ki 21:17  And the Word of Jehovah came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 

1Ki 21:18  Rise up, Go down to meet Ahab the king of Israel, who is in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to possess it. 

1Ki 21:19  And you shall speak to him, saying, So says Jehovah, Have you murdered, and also taken possession? And you shall speak to him, saying, So says Jehovah, In the place where the dogs lick the blood of Naboth, so the dogs shall lick your blood, even yours. 

1Ki 21:20  And Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he said, I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil in the eyes of Jehovah. 

1Ki 21:21  Behold, I shall bring evil on you, and shall take away your posterity, and cut off to Ahab him who urinates against a wall, both bond and free in Israel. 

1Ki 21:22  And I shall give up your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you have provoked to anger, and have caused Israel to sin. 

1Ki 21:23  And also Jehovah has spoken of Jezebel, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. 

1Ki 21:24  He who dies of Ahab in the city, the dogs shall eat. And the birds of the heaven shall eat him who dies in a field. 

1Ki 21:25  Surely, none has been like Ahab, who sold himself to do that which was evil in the eyes of Jehovah, whom his wife Jezebel incited. 

1Ki 21:26  And he did abominably, to go after idols, according to all that the Amorites did, whom Jehovah expelled from before the sons of Israel. 

1Ki 21:27  And it happened, when Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. 

1Ki 21:28  And the Word of Jehovah came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 

1Ki 21:29  Have you seen that Ahab has been humbled before Me? Because he was humbled before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days. I will bring the evil on his house in the days of his son. 

Verses 1-16 Summary: Ahab covets Naboth's vineyard, but Naboth will not sell/trade it away. Ahab becomes distraught and sulks in bed and will not eat. Jezebel hears of it and conspires to have liars cast false accusations against Naboth that he would be executed. After they do it, Jezebel reports the death to Ahab and tells him to take the vineyard. 

1. Why would it have been wrong for Naboth to sell his vineyard to Ahab?  (Lev. Chapter 11) The Year of Jubilee was an indication that land or other property was of the promise of God. It was to stay in the family that God gifted it to. If the family fell on hard times property could be "sold" but must be made redeemable or just returned in the year of Jubilee (every 50 years). If the property was within a walled city, if it was not redeemed within one year, the purchaser kept it (likely Naboth's dilema). 

Note: If Israel was so sinful with idolatry, why would blaspheme against God matter? Naboth cites Jehovah and his understanding of the significance of releasing a God-given property. Was Israel "completely" evil? What do we learn from this? The answer is disturbing. We/They can have an outward appearance of righteousness in regards to Jehovah and still be found unfaithful. The problem is IDOLATRY. I say this constantly, God has righteous avenues to affording grace to those seeking Him with honest hearts. Literally everyone in the scriptures finds grace in Jehovah if they seek it correctly (in one form or another). The cut-off point for Jehovah is when we put idols into our lives.

Verses 17-24 Summary: God tells Ahab through Elijah that his house is as cursed as Jeroboam and Baasha. His lineage will be cut off. Even Jezebel will die a humiliating death.

Note: Again, Ahab calls Elijah his enemy. Why, and what does that say about humans? Humans have the ability to rationalize away their own responsibility in personal and public matters. Ahab would have done well to mourn before God, repent and beg for forgiveness. There is a pride factor that not only keeps him from God, but also insists on saving face. It's everyone else's fault. 

Verses 25-29 Summary: The final of God's accusations against Ahab includes idolatry. Ahab becomes humbled and even acts the part. Unfortunately, the curses against him and his house stand.

2. Was Ahab's heart in his repentance? It is assumed no since God did not relent on the final outcome. However, for his outward showing, God's grace was that Ahab would not have to witness his family's executions. Remember his sullen attitude over Naboth? In that scene he turned away and was sad. Similarly, he "went softly" when he heard the verdict against him and his family. It humbled him, it made him sad, but we do not see him seeking God.

Chapter Twenty

 Ki 20:1  And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it. 

1Ki 20:2  And he sent messengers to Ahab the king of Israel, to the city, and said to him, So says Ben-hadad, 

1Ki 20:3  Your silver and your gold are mine, and your wives and your sons, the best, are mine. 

1Ki 20:4  And the king of Israel answered and said, According to your word, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have. 

1Ki 20:5  And the messengers came again and said, So says Ben-hadad, saying, Sending I sent to you, saying, Your silver and your gold and your wives and your sons you shall give to me; 

1Ki 20:6  I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house, and your servants' houses; and it shall be that whatever is pleasing in your eyes, they will put it in their hand and take it away. 

1Ki 20:7  And the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Please note, and see the evil this one is seeking, for he sent to me for my wives, and for my sons, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I did not withhold from him. 

1Ki 20:8  And all the elders and all the people said to him, Do not listen nor consent. 

1Ki 20:9  And he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, Say to my lord the king, All that you sent for to your servant at the first, I will do; but this thing I am not able to do; and the messengers went and took word back to him. 

1Ki 20:10  And Ben-hadad sent to him, and said, So shall the gods do to me and more also if the dust of Samaria shall be enough for handfuls for all the people that follow me. 

1Ki 20:11  And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Do not let him that girds on boast himself like one who loosens his armor. 

1Ki 20:12  And it happened when this word was heard, and he was drinking, he and the kings, in the booths, that he said to his servants, Set in order; and they set in order against the city. 

1Ki 20:13  And behold, a certain prophet came near to Ahab the king of Israel, and said, So says Jehovah, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold I am going to give it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am Jehovah. 

1Ki 20:14  And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, So says Jehovah, by the young men of the rulers of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You. 

1Ki 20:15  Then he called up the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two; and after them he called up all the people, even all the sons of Israel, being seven thousand. 

1Ki 20:16  And they went out at noon, and Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the kings, the thirty two kings helping him. 

1Ki 20:17  And the young men of the rulers of the provinces went out at first; and Ben-hadad sent, and they told him, saying, Men have come out of Samaria. 

1Ki 20:18  And he said, If they have come out for peace, seize them alive; and if they have come to battle, seize them alive. 

1Ki 20:19  And these went out of the city, the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and the army which followed them. 

1Ki 20:20  And each struck his man, and Syria fled, and Israel pursued them; and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse, also the horsemen. 

1Ki 20:21  And the king of Israel went out and struck the horses, and the chariots, and struck the Syrians with a great blow. 

1Ki 20:22  And the prophet came to the king of Israel and said to him, Go, make yourself strong, and look and see what you do; for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against you. 

1Ki 20:23  And the king of Syria's servants said to him, Their god is a god of the hills; on account of this they were stronger than us; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely, we shall be stronger than them, 

1Ki 20:24  And do this thing: take away the kings, each out of his place, and set commanders in their place. 

1Ki 20:25  And number to yourself an army like the army that was lost from you, even, horse for horse and chariot for chariot; and we shall fight with them in the plain. Are we not stronger than them? And he listened to their voice and did so. 

1Ki 20:26  And it happened at the turn of the year, Ben-hadad called up the Syrians, and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. 

1Ki 20:27  And the sons of Israel were called up, and were supplied. And they went to meet them. And the sons of Israel camped before them, like two flocks of goats. And the Syrians filled the land. 

1Ki 20:28  And a man of God came near to the king of Israel and said, So says Jehovah, Because the Syrians have said, Jehovah is God of the hills and not God of the valleys, therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am Jehovah. 

1Ki 20:29  And they pitched, these against those, seven days. And it happened in the seventh day, the battle came up. And the sons of Israel struck Syria, a hundred thousand footmen in one day. 

1Ki 20:30  And those remaining fled to Aphek, to the city. And the wall fell on twenty seven thousand of those left. And Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner room. 

1Ki 20:31  And his servants said to him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes on our heads, and we shall go to the king of Israel. It may be he will keep alive your life. 

1Ki 20:32  And they girded sackcloth on their loins, and ropes on their heads. And they came in to the king of Israel and said, Your servant Ben-hadad has said, Please let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? He is my brother. 

1Ki 20:33  And the men keenly observed, and quickly caught it from him, and said, Your brother, Ben-hadad. And he said, Go, bring him. And Ben-hadad came out to him. And he took him up on the chariot. 

1Ki 20:34  And he said to him, The cities that my father took from your father, I give back. And you shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria. Then I will let you go with a covenant. And he cut a covenant with him and sent him away. 

1Ki 20:35  And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbor, By the Word of Jehovah, please strike me. And the man refused to strike him. 

1Ki 20:36  And he said to him, Because you have not listened to the voice of Jehovah, behold, you shall go from me, and a lion shall kill you. And he left him, and a lion found him and killed him. 

1Ki 20:37  And he found another man and said, Please strike me. And the man struck him, striking and wounding. 

1Ki 20:38  And the prophet went and stood for the king on the highway, and disguised himself with ashes on his eyes. 

1Ki 20:39  And as the king passed by, it happened that he cried to the king, and said, Your servant went out into the middle of the battle, and behold, a man turned aside and brought a man to me, and said, Keep this man. If he is at all missing, then your life shall be for his life; or you shall weigh out a talent of silver. 

1Ki 20:40  And it happened, your servant was working here and there, and he was not there. And the king of Israel said to him, Your judgment is right. You have decided it. 

1Ki 20:41  And he hurried and took the ashes from his eyes. And the king of Israel saw him, that he was of the prophets. 

1Ki 20:42  And he said to him, So says Jehovah, Because you have sent away the man I had devoted from your hand, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people. 

1Ki 20:43  And the king of Israel went to his house sullen and angry, and came to Samaria. 

Verses 1-12 Summary: First, diplomacy: Benhadad sends word to Ahab that all he has belongs to Benhadad. This would include wives, sons etc. Initially, Ahab agrees, but then consults his court. They advise that he resist. Ahab changes his mind. Benhadad prepares for war.

Note: Ben-hadad means "son of Hadad, the god of thunder/weather/storm (much like Baal).

6. We already studied earlier in 1Kings how Solomon as Adonijah as a threat to his throne when he asked for Abishag. Knowing this, what are the implications of Ben-hadad's demands? These sorts of actions were made against David as well in the case of Absalom. It is speculated that David may have even taken one of Saul's wives (2Sam 12:8). This sort of action proved the king to be impotent and unworthy of being a king. The taker was assumed the new king.

Note: As we saw earlier, Asa, king of Judah conspired against Baasha with Benhadad (possibly a different king), and it did not set well with Jehovah ( Chapter15)+(2Chro. 16). The initial conquests of Benhadad included all of Naphtali the likely region Elijah was from.

Verses 13-22 Summary: A prophet delivers God's word to Ahab. God tells him that Ahab with battle and win, and Ahab will start the battle. Ahab is told that young fighters will do this thing. It does happen this way. Syria is routed and Benhadad has to flee for his life. The prophet tells Ahab to strengthen himself because at the beginning of the year Behadad will come again.

Note: What does the writer want us to know about Benhadad in verses 12 and 16? Why is this important? There is no ambiguity of the effects of alcohol and decision making in this narrative. It's just a bad idea. In this second battle, heavy drinking is not implicated. Perhaps Ben-hadad thought that was an issue, while ignoring the Jehovah factor. 

Verses 23-30 Summary: As prophesied Benhadad plans to attack Israel at the turn of the year. He is advised this time to fight them on the plains and not the mountains. He agrees. A prophet tells Ahab that Benhadad will be defeated because they underestimated God. Benhadad gathers his armies to the plains. They are routed and 127,000 ultimately fall. Benhadad flees.  

7. Why would the Syrians believed that the gods of the Israelites were the gods of the hills? On the surface of it, they seem find it unbelievable to have lost the last battle. So they look to blame something. That thing was that Israel has an advantage in the mountains/hills because of their God. 
To another point, why does God make this statement part of the reason why He is going to rout them?!

Note: Ben-hadad has had to literally RUN AWAY from Israel to avoid death two times. This had to have an impact on him and his advisors. Total humiliation. By all rights, he has been shown to be an impotent king. More importantly, his god has been revealed to be impotent as well. 

Verses 31-43 Summary:  After two defeats, Ben-hadad is advised to ask for mercy. He does. Ahab, calls him "brother," gives him back the cities Omri defeated, the cuts a covenant with him.A prophet disguises himself and speaks to Ahab. He tells Ahab a parable  and Ahab says that the prophet has been justifiably judged. The prophet removes his disguise and tells Ahab the parable was about him and God has judged Ahab AND the people for letting Ben-hadad go free (as well as strengthening the alliance). 

8. What do you learn from Ahab in this section?
1) He does not want war.
2) He does not understand his position under Jehovah.

3) We don't see him asking for God's guidance. Does he think God gave him victory to build up the king?

4) He was easily duped by "'taking a road of peace." Preferring that over Jehovah. God was not finished with false idols or their kings. "you have sent away the man I had devoted" is the judgement against Ahab:
The term "dedicated" or "appointed": chêrem    cherem  - is typical of what God requires to be utterly destroyed. 

Again. These actions are indicative of a misunderstanding of our relationship to God. We are here to serve Him, not the other way around. It can be all too easy to think too highly of ourselves and make God out to be a buddy or pal we can call in favors for. There are strong implications for the Christian in this as well. God's gracious character is made available to us, not as a tool to build us up selfishly, but as a way to reveal our inadequacies and total need/reliance of God. 
All of that blew right by Ahab.