The Consequences of Disobedience: A Lion Awaits
"Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him." - 1 Kings 20:36
In the bustling chapters of 1 Kings, we find ourselves in the midst of a gripping narrative of conflict and divine instruction. In 1 Kings 20:36, we encounter the foreboding words of a prophet: "Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him." (KJV).
The context of this verse centers around a king named Ahab, who had spare favor from God despite his history of idolatry and rebellion. In a remarkable encounter, a prophet instructs Ahab to destroy the enemy King Benhadad. However, Ahab makes a critical mistake; rather than following the divine order entirely, he compromises the instructions given to him. This is where our focus should rest: the struggle between hearing God's voice and obeying it.
Obedience is the ultimate test of one’s faithfulness to God. It is not just about hearing His commandments but acting upon them with resolute faith. The prophet's warning to Ahab reveals the stark consequences of his disobedience. In a world where we often prioritize our desires and understanding over God’s Word, the narrative becomes a substantial reminder of the critical nature of obedience. Ahab’s misstep was not simply a minor error—it had grave ramifications that echoed through his life and reign. And sadly, this disobedience led to the tragic reality of death, personified by the lion.
The lion symbolizes a few pivotal truths in our lives today. Firstly, it acts as a representation of God's judgment. The lion, a powerful and fearsome creature, reminds us of the healthiness of a fear-inspired respect for God's commandments. When the prophet declares the lion's inevitable appearance, it sends a shiver down our spine—a reminder that neglecting God's orders carries the weight of death, spiritually and, as illustrated, sometimes physically as well. How many times in our own lives have we ignored the Lord’s warnings, believing that our interpretations or timings are more favorable?
Secondly, the lion serves as a metaphor for the judgment that follows the transgression of God’s will. Ahab's disobedience was a willful act. Similarly, our decisions—no matter how inconsequential they seem at the moment—carry divine weight. God sees our hearts and motives, and this verse prompts deep reflection on our actions and their alignment (or misalignment) with His will. What are the areas in our lives where we hear God’s voice but choose to listen to our own reasoning?
Finally, consider the solitary nature of the man who left the prophet, only to be confronted by the lion. Disobedience often leads to isolation, where we abandon the community of faith and the accountability that comes with it. Similar to the wayward sheep from the parables, straying from the Shepherd and His voice positions one in vulnerability, ripe for attack from spiritual predators. How often do we find ourselves tempted to depart from the safety of the flock, opting instead for the path of least resistance, only to fall prey to consequences that could have been avoided?
In conclusion, 1 Kings 20:36 serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of jealously guarding our hearts against disobedience. God calls us to lives of radical obedience, aligning ourselves with His ways—even when the world persuades us otherwise. As Christians, we are asked to cling to the voice of the Lord, for in obedience, we find not only safety but also the fulfillment of His promises. Let us heed the lessons from the fate of Ahab—the lion still awaits, but we have the power to choose obedience over destruction.
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1 Kings 20:36 Artwork
1 Kings 20:36 - "Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him."
"Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him." - 1 Kings 20:36
Elijah in the scene 1 Kings 18:36–38
1 Kings 1:36 - "And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too."
1 Kings 6:36 - "¶ And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams."
1 Kings 14:1-20
1 Kings 2:36 - "¶ And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither."
1 Kings 20:16 - "And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him."
1 Kings 20:24 - "And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:"
1 Kings 16:20 - "Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
1 Kings 20:20 - "And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen."
1 Kings 7:36 - "For on the plates of the ledges thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved cherubims, lions, and palm trees, according to the proportion of every one, and additions round about."
1 Kings 22:36 - "And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country."
1 Kings 20:1 - "And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it."
1 Samuel 20:36 - "And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him."
1 Kings 20:43 - "And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria."
2 kings 9:34-36
1 Kings 20:21 - "And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter."
2 Kings 15:36 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
1 Kings 20:38 - "So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face."
Job 36:20 - "Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place."
Exodus 36:20 - "¶ And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up."
1 Kings 20:19 - "So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them."
1 Kings 20:8 - "And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent."
1 Kings 4:20 - "¶ Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry."
1 Kings 13:20 - "¶ And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:"
1 Kings 20:2 - "And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad,"
1 Kings 20:41 - "And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets."
2 Kings 19:36 - "So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh."
"And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too." - 1 Kings 1:36