1 Kings - Chapter 20

In this chapter Israel is threatened with an attack by King Ben-Hadad or Aram.  Ahab does not seek God's help and certainly does not deserve it.  The destruction by Ben-Hadad could be viewed as deserved for the failure to follow the true God.  However, while Ahab is ready to submit, God intervenes and the Israelites are victorious.  But then Ahab shows mercy  on Ben-Hadad and makes a treaty with him, rather than execute him.  For this God tells Ahab he will die.

This story is full of unexpected twists and it is initially hard to see how it reflects Jesus.  But in fact that is precisely what is happening here.

Jesus displays the amazing grace of God by saving us before we even asked him to and when we did not deserve it.

Jesus displays the power of God to defeat any enemy, including death itself.

And Jesus displays the severe judgement of God who does not simply overlook sin and disobedience. Rather, Jesus endured that judgement himself on the cross, so that we could be forgiven.