Three Behaviors seen in the life of Ahab that perpetuated his rebellion and brokenness.

Compromise

About that time King Ben-hadad of Aram mobilized his army, supported by the chariots and horses of thirty-two allied kings. They went to besiege Samaria, the capital of Israel, and launched attacks against it. He sent messengers into the city to King Ahab of Israel and said to him, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and your gold are mine! And your best wives and children are mine as well.” The king of Israel answered, “Just as you say, my lord the king: I am yours, along with all that I have.” 1 Kings 20:1-4 NLT

Every time you compromise on truth, you’re making a deal with the devil, and you’re giving something up God meant for you to keep.

But then the envoy returned a second time, saying, “On second thought, I want it all, your silver and gold and all your wives and sons. Hand them over, the whole works. I’ll give you twenty-four hours; then my servants will arrive to search your palace and the houses of your officials and loot them; anything that strikes their fancy, they’ll take.” 1 Kings 20:5-6 MSG

Don’t give in to any more demands, all the elders and the people advised. 1 Kings 20:8 NLT

After their defeat, Ben-hadad’s officers said to him, “The Israelite gods are gods of the hills; that is why they won. But we can beat them easily on the plains.” 1 Kings 20:23 NLT

It’s not your geography, demography or circumstance that determine your destiny, it’s your Savior.

If you’re negotiating with the devil, you’re the one being manipulated!

Ben-hadad told him, “I will give back the towns my father took from your father, and you may establish places of trade in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” Then Ahab said, “I will release you under these conditions.” So they made a new treaty, and Ben-hadad was set free. 1 Kings 20:34 NLT

Neither the mountain nor the valley limit God’s blessing, but compromise certainly does.

Selfishness

Now there was a man named Naboth, from Jezreel, who owned a vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. One day Ahab said to Naboth, “Since your vineyard is so convenient to my palace, I would like to buy it to use as a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or if you prefer, I will pay you for it.” But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance that was passed down by my ancestors.” So Ahab went home angry and sullen because of Naboth’s answer. The king went to bed with his face to the wall and refused to eat! 1 Kings 21:1-4 NLT

So Ahab immediately went down to the vineyard of Naboth to claim it. 1 Kings 21:16 NLT

If you love you more than you love others you’re not very much like Jesus.

The LORD said to Elijah, “Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be at Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel, claiming it for himself. Give him this message: ‘This is what the LORD says: Wasn’t it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick your blood at the very place where they licked the blood of Naboth!” 1 Kings 21:17-19 NLT

“So, my enemy, you have found me!” Ahab exclaimed to Elijah. “Yes,” Elijah answered, “I have come because you have sold yourself to what is evil in the LORD’s sight. So now the LORD says, ‘I will bring disaster on you and consume you. I will destroy every one of your male descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel! 1 Kings 21:20-21 NLT

The Gospel isn’t the gospel without including the truth of God’s judgement and justice.

No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the LORD’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel. 1 Kings 21:25 NLT

When we set selfishness aside, much of the other sin we struggle is subdued by the power of Grace!

Deceit

Never try to regain something God has taken away!

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the LORD here? We should ask him the same question.” The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the LORD for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.” 1 Kings 22:7-8 NLT

If you have to hide what your doing or thinking from the Godly people in your life, what your doing or thinking probably isn’t Godly and might cost you your life.

Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’” 1 Kings 22:17 NLT

So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. Then someone washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood while the harlots bathed, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken. 1 Kings 22:37-38 NKJV

God doesn’t use deceit to accomplish his will, it’s the devil that does that!