We have seen that King Ahab was not one of the better kings of Israel. We might well suppose that God would just give Ahab over to his own lostness. Yet instead we find that after all Ahab’s idolatry and sinfulness,God was still trying to draw him back.

A prophet from the Lord came to Ahab to encourage him that God would give him victory (I Kings 20:13-22). Then a man of God was sent with a similar message of deliverance, and the hope-inspiring promise that “you will know that I am the Lord” (20:28). But Ahab was less interested in knowing the Lord than he was in getting his own way, and sullen and resentful when he did not get it (20:43, 21:4) – whether it was a political alliance or his neighbor’s vineyard.

Then this astonishing thing happened. When Elijah delivered God’s word of judgment against Ahab (21:20-24), Ahab actually tried his best to repent: “When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth over his bare flesh; he fasted, lay in the sackcloth, and went about dejectedly” (21:27). And God saw his repentance, and told Elijah, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me?” (21:29). And God held off on the looming disaster, at least for a time (21:29).

One could not reasonably expect second chances for someone who was as unfaithful as Ahab. Yet God kept after him, with abundant opportunities for repentance. And Ahab – Ahab! – responded with repentance.

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In the midst of our sin you keep seeking us, O Lord: and our record of response is quite poor. Yet again and again you call us back to yourself, and even then we have so often muffed the opportunity. We pray for the grace of genuine repentance, that we may learn to live in accordance with your will.

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