Paulie | 232 Fine Young Princes..
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232 Fine Young Princes..

King_Ahab_Attacked

20 Jun 232 Fine Young Princes..

Let me set this up.

One King Ahab, also known as Queen Jezebel’s more palatable half, is in a situation.

A fine situation.

You see, there’s this gentleman from the north, Ben-Hadad King of Syria, spoiling for a fight.

A most gruesome one.

‘Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine,’” he demands.

My fren’, things are thick..

“Just as you say, my lord the king. I and all I have are yours,” a shaken Ahab replies.

But that’s not sufficient, apparently.

Ben-Hadad licks his thirsty lips and sends another message.

‘I sent to demand your silver and gold, your wives and your children. But about this time tomorrow I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will seize everything you value and carry it away.’”

Alack. What is a besieged King to do?

He calls the elders of his land, and pours out his woes.

“See how this man is looking for trouble! he cries.

The elders, quite understandably, are thoroughly dismayed.

And they rightly advise their King not to bow to this insolent taunting.

Strengthened, King Ahab sends his nemesis a message:

“Tell my lord the king, ‘Your servant will do all you demanded the first time, but this demand I cannot meet.”

And of course Ben-Hadad is incensed.

He promptly gathers his forces, and prepares to attack the little Kingdom of Israel.

——

Allow me to share what happened next, dear reader.

Suddenly, scripture says, a prophet approached King Ahab, saying:

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’”

But King Ahab was perplexed. Pray, by whom was this deliverance to happen?!

“By the young leaders of the provinces,” came the reassuring reply.

So, in short order, King Ahab sent for these men, “232  young men of the princes of the provinces,” and quickly deployed them to the battle-front.

And the men, we are told, rose gallantly to the occasion, took up their positions and slew every one his man.

That is to say, the battle came to a swift and conclusive end.

And by the hand of 232 choice young men, the principalities of Syria were thoroughly routed and the Kingdom of Israel restored to peace.

Which tells me something.

That by the time King Ahab and Ben-Hadad got into this spat, God had already prepared a plan.

That, quite possibly, He had already stirred up the hearts of these young men, and strengthened them to do something about this desperate situation.

And through their obedience, God was able to achieve His purpose for Israel, at that specific moment.

Now tell me, my brother, my sister, are you in an Ahab situation right now?

Is there an insolent bully somewhere, making your life a sheer misery?

I put it to you that God has already prepared a deliverer. That there is someone out there whom God has entrusted with a solution for you, at this very moment

Now, it is said that God’s grace is so subtle, that it is possible to miss it, if you fail to look out for it.

I say look around you my friend, for I hear the sound of a deliverer, riding swiftly towards your cry.

—–

* The story of Israel’s 232 young deliverers is recorded in 1 King ‘s 20:1-22.

* I beg your indulgence, as I have utilized the NIV, KJV and NKJV versions to tell this story.

* Image Courtesy: Sweet Publishing

3 Comments
  • Judy Khanyola
    Posted at 23:37h, 20 June Reply

    Very nice Paulie…I like your refreshing take on this. Uplifting to know that God ALWAYS HAS A PLAN. May God bless your inspirational writing!

    • Paulie
      Posted at 09:24h, 21 June Reply

      Amen, thank you Judy!

  • Mary Clare Njeri
    Posted at 15:42h, 09 August Reply

    Encouraging….Strengthening…..I pray God continues to bless you and yours Paulie Mugo??

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