Summary of lessons learnt from 1 Kings 20

Who do we turn to in times of need?

Upon being threatened by the King of Syria, Benhadad II, the King of Israel, Ahab immediately decided that he will submit to the King of Syria's demands of handing over the best of his gold, silver, wives and children. Only when Benhadad got greedier and demanded everything that King Ahab seek the counsel of the Elders of Israel. In some sense, the Elders of Israel are the ones who provide Godly advice.
Notes on Elders of Israel:
Numbers 11:25 writes that the elders were endowed with the spirit and prophesied
Deuteronomy 31:9 writes that Moses gave the law which includes the 5 Books of Moses not only to the priests of the tribe of Levi but also to the Elders of Israel
1 Kings 12, we see the foolish King Rehoboam ignoring the advice of the Elders and thus dooming the nation to division

Are we like King Ahab who turn to Godly advice only in times of need? Do we rely on God everyday regardless of the situation?

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3

Do we know God and His Will to make the right Godly choices?

King Ahab certainly did not deserve God's gracious help in defeating his enemies, after all, in the previous chapters (1 Kings 17:30~34), we read that he did wick in the eyes of God and he did not repent as he did not stop his wife from attempting to kill off the prophet elijah(19:2). Yet God through his prophets, spoke to King Ahab 3 times(20:13,22,28) before the battles and directed him to the path of victory through His perfect timing (20:16) and His almightyness (20:30). The purpose of this was as written "thou shalt know that I am the LORD."

Do we know God who is "but one only, living, and true God, Who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and Who will by no means clear the guilty" - Westminister Confession of Faith, Chapter 2, and Section 1.
Notes: immutable means unchanging

Perhaps the above is overwhelming but just as people seek to build a better relationship with their friends, family and spouses by knowing them better, so should we know and build a stronger relationship with our heavenly Father, seeking His Will daily by reading His Word and mediating upon it.

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalms 1

God declared that He will deliver the enemies of Israel into King Ahab's hands twice (20:13, 28) and yet King Ahab made the wrong choice of not destroying the enemies (20:42). King Ahab did not know the Will of God and neither did he seek Godly advice, either from the prophet or the elders but once again, made a decision himself (20:34). God may have been gracious to King Ahab but God is also "most Just and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin and Who will by no mean clear the guilty" Thus, King Ahab had his judgement handed down in 20:42 because he made the wrong choice.

All our actions have consequences and as seen, sin has its judgement. Let us all seek to live a life rid of lawlessness but holiness that we may live according to God's Will.

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1 Peter