God Knows a Humble Heart
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” 1 Kings 21:27-29
The wicked King Ahab desired Naboth’s vineyard so much, the wicked Queen Jezebel schemes to have Naboth killed so Ahab can take possession of the vineyard. At the Lord’s direction Elijah confronts Ahab and says to him, This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property? In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood – yes, yours! And concerning Jezebel, Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country. Our verses today tell of Ahab’s response to Elijah. God recognizes true repentance, even that of an evil man like Ahab, and turns His wrath away. God looks at the heart, it is never too late to repent and turn to the Lord. But, Ahab will return to his sinful ways, and his sins will bring disaster on his house after this temporary reprieve.