No Random Arrows

The Death of King Ahab

An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. “Turn the horses and get me out of here!” Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. “I’m badly wounded!” I Kings 22:34.

Both Elijah and Micaiah, genuine prophets of God, told Ahab that God would judge him for his sinful actions, among them taking Naboth's vineyard, not to mention his support of idolatry. He went into this battle anyway, even after showing some repentance in ch. 21. King Jehosaphat of Judah floated the idea that they take on a common enemy and Ahab was duped into a false sense of confidence by the false prophets. The end result is v.34.

Sometimes Matthew Henry's commentary says things about as well as it can be said. On this verse, Henry stresses God's guidance of this "random" arrow. He points out that God got the man he was after, and nailed the man at about his only vulnerable spot. Doom was inescapable for Ahab. God knows how to find the individual, and his takedown, however difficult it may seem, is certain.

What I am hoping is that the exact opposite is also true: That God can and will locate whom he wishes to bless, and will overcome all odds to bless him/her.
beanscot's husband