Heart Prep:
In this week’s text, Ahab made a series of poor choices, which ultimately led to his demise. First, the Lord gave King Ahab victory over the Arameans twice to remind Ahab that He is the Lord. Upon Israel’s second victory over the Arameans, Ahab disobeyed God when making a treaty and releasing Ben-hadad. Second, Ahab plotted a plan of deception when he wanted to take a vineyard owned by a man named Naboth, which ended in Naboth’s death. When Ahab wished to go to war with the Arameas again, a prophet of the Lord, Micaiah, advised against it but he stubbornly wnt to war again ans was struck by an arrow in the battle and died. While God showed Ahab patience and gave him many warnings, Ahab ultimately refused to repent. Like Ahab, we can be greedy and stubborn. In our sin, we rebel against God and act according to our flesh. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus (Romans 6:23). Jesus lived a perfect life and died in the place of sinners so that we might be forgiven and be made right with God. Encourage boys and girls to see that because Christ laid down His life for us, we can escape the punishment we deserve because of our sin. Teach kids that when we believe in Jesus and repent of sin, Christ removes our unrighteousness and changes our hearts so that we desire to follow God and His ways.
Message:
King Ahab was at war with King Ben-hadad of Aram, a nation to the northeast of Israel. A prophet of the Lord came to Ahab and said, “This is what the Lord says, ‘Do you see Ben-hadad’s huge army? Watch this: I am handing it over to you today so that you may know I am the Lord.’” Ahab led the men to battle. Israel won, but Ben-hadad escaped. Ben-hadad’s servants told him that Israel had only won because they had fought in the hills. They believed that if they went to war with Israel in the plains, that they would be able to defeat them. The prophet of God came to Ahab again and said, “Because the Arameans have said that the Lord can’t win unless the battle is in the mountains, I will hand their huge army over to you. You will win, and you will know that I am the Lord.” The Israelites camped in front of them like two little flocks of goats, while the Arameans filled the landscape. Israel won the battle, and they captured Ben-hadad. Ben-hadad offered to make a deal in exchange for his life. Ahab knew he was supposed to defeat the Arameans, but he disobeyed. He agreed to receive the land the Arameans took from Israel in exchange for Ben-hadad’s release. Sometime later, Ahab decided he wanted a vineyard that belonged to a man named Naboth. Naboth refused to sell this land, and Ahab was mad, because he was greedy and wanted that land. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, said to him, “Now, exercise your royal power over Israel. For I will give you the vineyard of Naboth.” Then Jezebel hired men to lie about Naboth. They said that Naboth had cursed God and the king, a crime punishable by death. Naboth was killed, and Ahab took his vineyard. A few years later, Ahab wanted to go to war against the Arameans again because they still had some of Israel’s land. He asked his false prophets, and they all agreed it was a good idea. But the prophet of the true God, Micaiah, told Ahab the truth. Going to war against Aram would fail, and the king would die. Micaiah said, “I saw all of Israel alone scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘They have no one to lead them.’” King Ahab was stubborn and decided to go to war anyway. He was struck by an arrow during the battle, and he died, just as the prophet of the Lord said.
Main Point:
Ahab was a disobedient, greedy, and stubborn king who refused to lead Israel in the ways of the Lord. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, always obeyed God and laid down His life for us. Anyone who follows Him will dwell with God forever.
Discussion:
How can God bring judgment on people?
Tell kids that God is holy and hates sin. He will not let sin go unpunished. For those who trust Jesus as their Savior, Jesus paid the price for their sin. But those who do not trust Jesus as Savior will be punished for their sins. (Read Hebrews 9:27-28.)
Why should we take God’s Word seriously?
Remind kids that God always keeps His Word. He kept His Word to bring judgment on Ahab’s sin. Because of this truth, it is important to listen to what He has said. Today, God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. This is why we spend time each week studying His Word together. The Bible reminds us that God has made the way to save us from sin through His Son, Jesus. (Read Isaiah 46:9-10.)
How is Jesus the perfect King?
Tell kids that Jesus is the King who always obeyed God and who sought the good of others. Jesus never did anything out of selfishness or greed, like Ahab. He is the perfect King who rules with justice, righteousness, and peace. Jesus is the only King who saves those who trust in Him from the punishment their sin deserves. (Read Isaiah 9:6-7.)
