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God’s Mercy and Ahab’s Failure – 1 Kings 20
Series: Reading the Bible Daily with DaveDate: Friday, August 15, 2025Host: Dave JenkinsShow Summary
In 1 Kings 20, we encounter an unexpected turn: King Ahab, though wicked, is shown undeserved mercy by the Lord. Twice, God delivers Israel from Syria’s king, Ben-hadad. But Ahab responds with political compromise instead of obedience, revealing the danger of receiving God’s grace without repentance. This chapter reminds us that God’s sovereign purposes are not limited by the righteousness of leaders—but His mercy always demands a response of faith and obedience.Listen
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Episode Content
- Main Theme: God shows mercy for His purposes, but expects faithful obedience in response.
- Key Doctrine: Divine mercy is never divorced from divine justice.
- Main Takeaway: Mercy received without repentance leads to judgment.
- Memory Verse: 1 Kings 20:13b – “Thus says the Lord, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will give it into your hand this day, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
