I Kings 20:43

"And the king of Israel went ot his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria."

Poor Ahab, never did right except for one time, which we will look at later on. But here he has won the victory by the hand of the Lord. Twice it is given in this chapter that the Lord would defeat the Syrians because they mocked God and feared HIm not. And He delcared to them, 'ye shall know that I am the Lord'. Let there be no doubt about our Lord that He is God and there is none else beside Him. God gave Ahab the victory and secured Israel, despite their evil and sinfulness against Him. Why? It was because of His own Name that He is jealous of and will defend it against such nations and people. But the king of Syria was to be destroyed by the hand of Ahab and the people of Syria had mocked the Lord and questioned Who He was. The people were to be destroyed and Ahab let them go with diplomacy and peace. So a prophet is sent to Ahab to tell him that the Lord holds him responsible for letting the king of Syria go and the people go free. Therefore, his life shall be taken for the king of Syria and the people of Israel will be instead of the Syrians. this is the verse that proceeds the verse we are to look at now. For upon hearing that his life was determined to be taken from him because of his foolish choices, the wages of sin is death. and the king of Israel went to his house - word study, went; Where else would he go? He went home to find consolation and solace. Is there a safe haven for most to run to and hide? It is at home. Now, i fully understand to many that home is not a place of such rest and protection, for they live in a hostile, abusive home. Parents in disarry, disharmony; children disobedient, family life is non existent and they live in chaos. But Ahab went there to find something, possible from jezebel. For it was the queen that when he went home before sulking over Naboths vineyard that she came to console him and told him that she would take care of everything. And she did, and he went out to possess it only to to meet Elijah and and hear the appointed message of despair. Now again, he has heard the word of the prophet and he is going home. Heavy and displeased - sorrow upon sorrow was given to him, and he definitely bore a huge amount of grief; And he is right to sorrowful in this manner, for he has occasioned the loss of his own life and the life of the people. And what shall we shall as we view the world and all those around us, should we not be heavy hearted and displeased that so many are lost and we have the glorious Gospel message? Perishing, one and all, what have we done about it? Have we prevailed in prayer? Have we labored sowing precious seed with tears? Have we believed in faith that God is mighty to save? Should we not close the day with heaviness and displeasure in their sinful rejection of Him and our futile efforts? I tell you, the ones that should be most watched are the ones who rest well at night in the midst of this maddness. The ones who are filled with heaviness and sorrow are the broken and contrite ones that God will respect. And came to Samaria - word study, to come; he has returned home to face his end. go Ahab, and get your house in order for the Lord will require of you all of your wickedness. You have mocked Him and scorned His servants, now reap the whirlwind of His wrath. You have failed to do His bidding and now you must be weighed in the balances. And to all that have abhorred His Word and His grace and mercy, they are found wanting. To each of these that are living today, lost and in darkness, they come home each day but what is the message unto them, 'Ichabod'. It is upon our nation, upon families and upon many churches. We have come home to Samaria, the place of sin that forsookt he Lord God Almighty and have walked contrary unto Him and His way for the pleasures of self.