WHEN GOD GIVES VICTORY DESPITE OUR FAILURES
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 1 Kings 20:1-43
Supporting Texts: Psalm 44:3; Romans 2:4; Judges 2:18; Lamentations 3:22-23; Isaiah 1:18-20
INTRODUCTION:
1 Kings 20 reveals the merciful nature of God even toward a disobedient nation and a compromised king. Despite King Ahab’s idolatry and rebellion, God steps in to defend Israel against Ben-Hadad, the arrogant king of Syria. This chapter teaches us that God can show mercy not because we deserve it, but to prove His sovereignty and call us back to repentance.
Though Ahab was unfaithful, God still sent prophets with specific instructions. Two major victories were given to Israel, not because of Ahab’s righteousness, but because God wanted to demonstrate His authority over the nations. However, the chapter ends with Ahab failing once again—sparing a man God had marked for destruction—and God delivering a sobering judgment.
This chapter is both a story of divine mercy and a warning against persistent compromise in leadership.
1. GOD SOMETIMES SHOWS MERCY TO THE UNDESERVING
Though Ahab was wicked, God defended Israel to show that He alone is God.
a) “Thus says the Lord: Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today.” (1 Kings 20:13)
God’s mercy sometimes precedes His judgment to give room for repentance.
b) Israel’s deliverance was not earned, but sovereignly given
God intervened to reveal His glory to a wayward king and nation.
c) God’s goodness can be a tool for conviction and restoration
Even when we fail, He may still act to draw us back.
d) Divine help is never a licence for spiritual laziness or continued sin
Mercy must lead to repentance, not complacency.
Biblical Example: God spared Nineveh after Jonah’s reluctant preaching (Jonah 3:10).
2. GOD STILL SPEAKS EVEN WHEN LEADERS ARE COMPROMISED
Though Ahab had no track record of obedience, God still sent him prophetic guidance.
a) “A prophet came to Ahab king of Israel, saying…” (1 Kings 20:13)
God does not abandon His voice even in compromised systems.
b) Prophetic instruction shows that God wants partnership with man in victory
Even undeserving leaders are offered divine counsel.
c) Obedience to divine strategy secures victory regardless of personal flaws
When Ahab followed God’s instructions, the enemy was defeated.
d) The presence of prophetic guidance is a sign of God’s continued patience
God was still reaching out to Ahab through His servants.
Biblical Example: God sent Nathan to David after his sin to offer correction (2 Samuel 12:1-7).
3. GOD USES THE WEAK TO CONFUSE THE STRONG
God’s strategy involved Israel’s young, untrained men leading the battle.
a) “By the young leaders of the provinces… I will deliver it into your hand.” (1 Kings 20:14)
God often uses the small and weak to confound the mighty.
b) God is not limited by numbers, experience, or human strength
Victory depends on His word, not human resources.
c) This humbles man and magnifies divine sovereignty
So that no one can boast, God chooses the unexpected.
d) Trusting God’s unusual strategies is a test of faith
Ahab obeyed, and the first victory was won.
Biblical Example: Gideon’s 300 men defeated a massive Midianite army (Judges 7:7).
4. REPEATED MERCY IS A CALL TO DEEPER OBEDIENCE
God gave Israel a second victory when the Syrians returned.
a) “Because the Syrians have said, ‘The Lord is God of the hills…’ I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand.” (1 Kings 20:28)
God defended His name, not Ahab’s righteousness.
b) God uses repeated acts of grace to call us to covenant relationship
Each victory was another chance for Ahab to align with God.
c) When mercy is ignored, it eventually turns into judgment
Ahab took the blessings but failed to reform spiritually.
d) God reveals Himself through victory, but He seeks relationship, not just results
Israel’s deliverance was meant to spark national repentance.
Biblical Example: The ten lepers were healed, but only one returned to give thanks and receive wholeness (Luke 17:15-19).
5. FAILURE TO OBEY FULLY CAN LEAD TO DIVINE REJECTION
Ahab spared Ben-Hadad, making a treaty when God had decreed his destruction.
a) “You have let slip out of your hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction.” (1 Kings 20:42)
Partial obedience is still disobedience in God’s eyes.
b) Compromise with what God condemns brings future trouble
Ahab’s treaty would later backfire.
c) Disobedience at the height of success is especially dangerous
Ahab chose diplomacy over divine instruction.
d) God holds leaders accountable for how they handle spiritual assignments
A prophet rebuked Ahab, and judgment was declared.
Biblical Example: Saul lost his kingdom because he spared King Agag against God’s command (1 Samuel 15:9-23).
CONCLUSION:
1 Kings 20 is a sobering reminder that God’s mercy is not a reward for righteousness but an opportunity for repentance. Ahab experienced divine favour and victory twice, but he failed to translate those blessings into obedience. God is patient, but His patience is not without end.
When God gives you victory, ask yourself: Have I obeyed Him completely? Have I responded to His mercy with submission? May we never use divine help as an excuse to continue in compromise, but rather as a reason to surrender fully to His will.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, thank You for Your mercy even when I do not deserve it.
2. Help me to respond to Your grace with full obedience and repentance.
3. Deliver me from every form of compromise in my assignment and leadership.
4. Teach me to trust and obey Your divine strategies, no matter how unusual.
5. Let every act of Your mercy draw me deeper into relationship and alignment with Your will.
