1 Kings 20: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Kings 20 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Ben Hadad, the king of Syria, gathers an army of thirty-two kings and besieges Samaria (vv. 1-2). He demands Ahab's silver, gold, wives, and children, and Ahab initially complies (vv.

Key verse

“The prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself, and mark, and see what you do; for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against you.”
1 Kings 20:22 (WEB)

Outline

1 Kings 20:1–4 Ben Hadad's Threat to Ahab
1 Kings 20:5–9 Ahab's Resistance
1 Kings 20:10–12 Ben Hadad's Response and Challenge
1 Kings 20:13–21 Ahab's Victory with God's Help
1 Kings 20:22–28 Prophetic Warning of Future Conflict
1 Kings 20:29–34 Second Battle and Ben Hadad's Plea
1 Kings 20:35–43 Consequences of Ahab's Actions

Discussion questions

In v3, what does Ben Hadad claim he wants from Ahab?
In v13, who comes to Ahab with a message from Yahweh?
Ben Hadad's claim in v10: what does it suggest about his confidence and attitude?
Ahab's response in v11: what does the phrase 'Don't let him who puts on his armor brag like he who takes it off' imply?
When have you felt pressured to give up something valuable like Ahab did in v4?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Kings 20: 1 Kings 22, 2 Kings 6, 2 Kings 5.

Before next time: read 1 Kings 21.