Introduction

Hello, everyone. Let us look at 1 Kings 21. After this, we have just one chapter left, and we will have finished 1 Kings. The book ends with King Ahab. The Israelites were a very strange people. Did they know that the LORD was God? They did. Yet, knowing that the LORD was God, they still worshipped idols. That is bizarre. They knew that the LORD was God, but they did not understand how formidable He was. So let me remind you: having experienced God is no small matter.

If you have experienced God and then become another Ahab, you will have plenty of trouble. What do I mean by trouble? Not merely difficulties in this life, but judgment while you are still alive. The theme of 1 Kings 21 is: “If you know that the LORD is God, yet sell yourself, you will surely face judgment.”

This is a very important lesson: if you know that the LORD is God, yet sell yourself, you will surely face judgment. It is also a very common phenomenon among us. I have ministered to so many people over the years. Let me tell you: you are among the five per cent. Why? Because I have no idea where the other ninety-five per cent have ended up. After experiencing God, do people know that the LORD is God? Of course they do. How could they not know? They receive healing, then turn around and act as though they do not know that the LORD is God. You cannot do that.

Before leaving, some of them even said to me, “Teacher, I am leaving. Do not curse me behind my back.” You see, they were quite concerned about curses. I said, “Once you leave, whom could I curse? It is God who curses people. Do you understand?” Let me tell you, there are many people like Ahab. They face judgment, yet still do not know how to humble themselves. In the previous chapter, we saw how much God wanted people to know Him. Again and again, He showed Ahab that the LORD was God. This fact was already firmly established in Ahab’s mind. There was no way he did not know God, was there?

Ahab Knew That the LORD Was God

How did Ahab know? Elijah declared that there would be no rain for three years. Later, it rained only after Elijah prayed. Did Ahab know that the LORD was God? He did. Ahab also tacitly permitted Elijah to kill the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. The king was standing right there. Otherwise, how could the Israelites have killed so many prophets? We must understand how much God wants us to know Him.

Do you know what happened next? The king of Aram, who led thirty-two kings, was defeated by the young men under the provincial governors. All this was communicated to King Ahab through a prophet. Did Ahab win? He did. How did he win? Through God. Did victory go to his head? No. He knew it was not through his own ability. Later, those arrogant Arameans were again defeated by Ahab, king of Israel. Did Ahab know? Of course he did!

If you suffered from depression, could you fail to know that the LORD God healed you? You could not. It is easy for the brothers and sisters in our church to experience God. God longs for us to know Him. Did Ahab know Him? He did. But Ahab did something: he spared Ben-Hadad, the man God had marked for destruction. Understand this: Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, was very arrogant. God intended to destroy him, but King Ahab showed him mercy. Then God said, “Your life will take the place of his life.”

By this chapter, had Ahab already received a judgment? Yes. Because he had spared the man God had marked for destruction, God said, “Your life will take the place of his life.” Ahab knew that the LORD was God, but as life went on, he forgot. Let me tell you, there are plenty of people who forget this. It has always weighed on my heart. I really do not want you to face judgment. I would much rather see all of you know God and live blessed lives. But that remains a hope.

Will everyone have that blessing? I do not know. That depends on how things turn out for our brothers and sisters, does it not? May God have mercy! Let us all remind ourselves: we have experienced God. Once you have experienced Him, knowing God is no trivial matter.

Let me tell you what happens. In the spiritual realm, a group of demons confer about how to lead Ahab into judgment. The same applies to us. You may not be King Ahab, but you could still be an Ahab, could you not? How does someone become an Ahab? There is a song that goes, “Ah-ha, give me a cup of water to forget love.” That is not Ahab, and it is not about forgetting love. It is about forgetting, is it not? You really have drunk that water of forgetfulness.

Ahab Was Controlled by a Feeling

Ahab was controlled by a feeling. I could give him a nickname: “Ah-ha.” Ah-ha was controlled by his feelings. People are often controlled by feelings. Do you know that? I detest this thing called feeling. Chinese Mingding Doctrine never talks in terms of “I feel at peace.” Chinese Mingding Doctrine teaches us to know God through understanding; to have full assurance of faith through understanding; to understand what brings a curse; and to understand what brings a blessing.

What use is relying on feelings? In fact, feelings serve only one purpose: to control you. Let me tell you, many brothers and sisters among us follow their feelings. I, too, would like to follow mine, but I do not. How did Ahab come to be controlled by his feelings? The Bible says:

After these things, another matter arose. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, near the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard so that I may use it as a vegetable garden, because it is close to my palace. In exchange, I will give you a better vineyard, or, if you prefer money, I will pay you its value.” But Naboth said to Ahab, “I fear the LORD. Far be it from me to give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” Ahab returned to his palace sullen and displeased because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat. (1 Kings 21:1–4)

Have you ever felt like that? Certainly. You wanted to secure a business deal, but failed. You wanted to buy a property, but could not. There are plenty of people like that. They reduce the business of living to a feeling. That feeling leads them into judgment, and in the end, their lives amount to nothing! Do you know where such feelings come from? I will tell you now: almost all feelings come from the spiritual realm. Let me give you an example. “I feel tightness in my chest.” That is a demon causing tightness in the chest.

“I feel a throbbing pain in my head.” “My backside hurts.” “My leg hurts.” “My foot hurts.” Have you experienced these? These feelings are quite destructive. Later, I discovered that some people even make business decisions by their feelings. “I feel at peace about doing this. After praying, I received confirmation.” So they went ahead. And once they did, everything went wrong. They lost money. One sister among us wanted to open a nursing home, but she did not understand the law. At first, she felt that many things were going smoothly. But before long, they were no longer going smoothly. I do not know how much money she lost. Why did she proceed? Because it felt good! When it no longer feels good, whom will you turn to? Your feelings are not reliable.

It is God’s word that stands firm in heaven, not your feelings. Do you understand? Remember: God’s word stands firm in heaven. Let me say it again: it is not your feelings that stand firm in heaven. Feelings are destructive. Some people enter a business venture, feel perfectly at peace, and end up throwing several million away. Let me tell you, if I relied on feelings, I would have been cheated more times than I could count. What bloody use is feeling good? Even a fart has some use: it releases gas. But feeling good is not even worth a fart. Do you understand?

Ahab was controlled by such a feeling. What did he need that vineyard for? Was it really so important? Once he allowed that feeling to lead him, he was not far from a curse. His mind was filled with covetous thoughts all day long. I have seen Christians like this. They look at someone else’s beautiful, spacious villa, almost like a palace, and desperately want it for themselves. Let me tell you, over the years since becoming a Christian, I have learnt one lesson: love nothing but God alone. Once you covet what belongs to someone else, is that not a deadly matter? The result will certainly be a curse.

That feeling is indeed very real. You cannot stop thinking about that house. You love it. But it is not yours. Some people see another man’s beautiful wife, graceful in every movement, and want her for themselves. Is that not utter nonsense? In traditional churches, some brothers and sisters who lead worship on stage have a great many fans in the congregation. Every gesture, every movement—my goodness—sets the viewers’ hearts stirring with desire. Does that happen? If you are such a person, you need not tell me. Think it through yourself.

Some people are well on in years, yet when they watch a young online influencer livestreaming, they send money simply because they like what they see. Does that happen? Feelings are truly destructive. Let me tell you, apart from singing well, there is really not much to commend these people. Churches are particularly keen to promote those who sing well and stay in tune as worship leaders. The result is that people fall into feelings. Feelings really are not worth a damn. Ahab was controlled by them. Here is a reminder: whenever you have a feeling, measure it against God’s word. Does it bring a curse? If it does, get out of it.

Where does this feeling come from? From demons. I used to think those worship leaders were so spiritual and so lovable. But once I got to know them privately, I discovered that they amounted to nothing. I read the Bible extensively. They did not read God’s word and knew nothing. All they could do was sing and make gestures. A turn of the finger signalled the chorus, then another repetition. Their singing was full of feeling. I am naturally opposed to relying on feelings. I do not approve of it. Can our brothers and sisters learn this? Learn not to follow your feelings, because the Bible never tells you to do so. Search the Bible for me. Does it tell you to follow your feelings? No. It tells you to act according to God’s word, because God’s word stands firm in heaven for ever.

If Ahab had not been foolish, could he have reached this point? He coveted another man’s vineyard until he lost all appetite for food and drink. I really do not understand what he wanted that thing for. Is that not strange? Someone typed a comment: “In my former church, many people would say when sharing, ‘I have a feeling within me.’” Such feelings are destructive. Ahab lived in that state. Be careful. God has never told us to follow our feelings. Never mind who sings the song “Follow Your Feelings.” We must understand that following our feelings will certainly lead us into ruin.

Whether you are an adult or a child, is studying tiring? It is. But if you do not study, you will certainly become stupid, will you not? Who does not find studying tiring? Make a decision now: will we follow our feelings into ruin, or fulfil the responsibilities we ought to bear? People in traditional churches are forever saying, “I feel a prompting within me,” or, “I have a feeling within me.” Ahab had one too. That was why he no longer wanted to eat or drink.

Ahab Sold Away His Authority

His wife Jezebel came to him and asked, “Why are you so troubled in spirit that you refuse to eat?” He replied, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Give me your vineyard, and I will pay you its price; or, if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in exchange.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” His wife Jezebel said to Ahab, “Are you not the one who rules the kingdom of Israel? Get up, eat, and be cheerful. I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with the king’s seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city. In the letters she wrote, “Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth in a place of honour among the people. Seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify against him, saying, ‘You have blasphemed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” (1 Kings 21:5–10)

The elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city received Jezebel’s letters and did as the letters instructed. They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a place of honour among the people. Two scoundrels came and sat opposite Naboth. Before the people, they testified against him, saying, “Naboth has blasphemed God and the king.” Then the people took him outside the city and stoned him to death. They sent word to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned to death.” (1 Kings 21:11–14)

Do you not find this strange? How did Ahab’s seal end up in Jezebel’s hands? How could she write letters in his name? Remember, he was the king. What happened? Ahab sold himself. Why? Because Jezebel made it sound so pleasing: “I will get you what you want. Is that not what you wanted? Now enjoy your food. I will certainly get it for you.” In fact, this sort of thing had become routine. Ahab often handed his seal to Jezebel. Who knows how many letters she had written in Ahab’s name with that seal? Let me tell you, if you marry a clever wife who is full of schemes, you must be particularly careful of someone who can only lead you into a curse.

What do you do when you have such a feeling? His wife was certainly capable! Let me tell you, many foolish women think, “I have the spirit of Jezebel.” Give me a break. You think you are Jezebel? You are a Jeze-donkey! You do not even qualify as a Jeze-horse! Jezebel was highly capable, was she not? She could accomplish many things of this kind.

Jezebel deserved half the credit for Ahab’s kingdom. Do you understand? She led Ahab into idolatry and was exceptionally good at manipulating things for personal gain. She knew how to talk, unlike some of our brothers and sisters who are stubborn, abrasive, and disagreeable. They go home with a dark face all day long. Their husbands cannot stand the sight of them, yet they think themselves quite admirable. That is not Jezebel. That is a Jeze-donkey, is it not?

Ahab sold away his authority. Was it taken from him through deception and trickery? Yes. He was deceived into giving it away. But he still had to bear responsibility, did he not? If you know that the LORD is God, yet sell yourself, you will certainly face judgment. Perhaps God was directing what happened behind the scenes. In fact, that was essentially the case. Whoever was directing it, once you fall for a scheme, believe a lie, and follow your feelings, you are finished. Brothers and sisters, understand this: authority must not be sold away.

One day, I met a good friend. He said to me, “When a woman runs the household, the house collapses.” With Jezebel in charge, how could it not collapse? Why? This is not sex discrimination. It is a common phenomenon. Look at the great prophets. How many were women? Very few, were there not? You must understand that authority is not negotiable. Either you are controlled, or you control others. If you are a woman, you must be very careful, because women are easily deceived by demons. When humanity’s first ancestors, Adam and Eve, sinned, the first deception began with Eve, did it not? I did not invent that. Even today, there are plenty of Eves, great and small. If you are already narrow-minded and are also a woman, you must be careful.

Jezebel may have been highly capable, but Ahab married her. Did he have to bear responsibility? Yes. What happens if you refuse to take responsibility? Who told you to sell away your authority? You sold it, then still thought well of yourself. This is a very common phenomenon. It is especially common in churches, and even more so in Chinese churches. Chinese churches have invented a title, “Pastor’s Wife.” The pastor’s wife can have more authority than the pastor himself. If that is not Jezebel, what is it? This kind of evil spirit is deadly.

Once, a pastor preached a sermon and gave an example from his own life. I heard this from him, so do not blame me. I am not gossiping. He said that on one occasion, he assigned his staff some work. His wife found out and said, “Stop, stop, stop! Who told you to do that?” The staff replied, “The pastor told us.” She said, “Stop!” So the staff stopped. They went to the pastor and asked, “Whom exactly should we listen to?” The pastor said, “Listen to the pastor’s wife. My instructions do not count.”

This situation is very common. People sell away their authority. Do you understand? It is the same between husband and wife. Remember: controlling others and being controlled are both detestable. Both provoke God’s anger. Authority is not negotiable. A husband must not control his wife, and a wife must not control her husband, must she? You cannot control me. That much I know. In the end, anyone who sells away his authority will certainly face judgment. Let me tell you, there are many such cases in church work. Do they ultimately face judgment? If you know that the LORD is God, yet sell away your authority, you will surely face judgment! That is how it is.

Brothers and sisters, authority means authority. If you are given responsibility, discharge it properly. It is not negotiable. Ahab had a feeling, and his wife was very attentive to it. In the end, she got him Naboth’s vineyard! Did that solve the problem? No. He was finished!

Ahab Coveted Another Man’s Vineyard and Would Surely Be Cursed

There is something in the Bible called the Ten Commandments. Never violate them. Do not touch them. You may touch anything else, but not the Ten Commandments. Coveting another person’s wife, children, or house will certainly bring a curse. You may not obtain anything, but if covetousness arises in your heart, you will still be cursed. Never tamper with the Ten Commandments. At the very beginning, they require you to honour the LORD as your God and serve Him alone. Do you understand?

Then come keeping the Sabbath, honouring your parents, not murdering, not bearing false witness, and not coveting what belongs to others. You may think, “I covet this thing so that I can serve God better in the future.” God does not need you to covet another person’s possessions in order to serve Him. Do you understand? That brings a very deep curse, because it concerns the Ten Commandments.

When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard that Naboth the Jezreelite refused to sell you. He is now dead.” When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth the Jezreelite’s vineyard. (1 Kings 21:15–16)

Ahab began arranging the property title and other formalities. Let me ask you: could he obtain it? Naboth was dead, but he still had children. Whether Ahab actually obtained it, no one can say for certain. After Naboth died, his children might have realised that they did not have their father’s courage. Naboth had said, “This is my ancestral inheritance. I cannot sell it. I will neither exchange it nor sell it. Even if the terms are favourable, I will not sell. No matter how much you offer, I will not sell.” But what about Naboth’s children? That was another matter, was it not?

They might have thought, “We might as well sell it quickly. This is our father’s estate anyway. Who knows whose hands it will eventually fall into? Let us take this opportunity to sell it, or exchange it with Ahab.” Do you think an exchange would spare anyone the curse? There would still be a curse! You had Naboth killed. Did the nobles who took part bear a share of the guilt? Absolutely. So we do not know whether Ahab obtained it. What happened next? The LORD sent the prophet Elijah to pronounce judgment.

God Sent a Prophet to Pronounce Judgment

The word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Go and meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. He has gone down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard and is now there. Say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: Have you murdered a man and also taken his property?’ Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: In the place where dogs licked Naboth’s blood, dogs will also lick your blood.’” (1 Kings 21:17–19)

Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. The LORD says, ‘I will bring disaster upon you and wipe you out. I will cut off from Israel every male belonging to you, whether confined or free. I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked My anger and caused Israel to sin.’ Concerning Jezebel, the LORD also says, ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the outer wall of Jezreel. Those belonging to Ahab who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the fields will be eaten by the birds of the air.’” (1 Kings 21:20–24)

What kind of judgment was this? Did Ahab understand the history of Israel? He did! The kingdom of Israel began with Jeroboam, then came Baasha, then Omri, and then Ahab. That was only a matter of a few decades, was it not? Not many years. Ahab might even have known these people. His family was already an aristocratic family, and eventually they acquired the throne as well. How did Jeroboam die? Not well! What happened to Jeroboam’s entire household and Baasha’s entire household? They did not end well!

Omri was Ahab’s father. These people met terrible ends. Their deaths were miserable! So our brothers and sisters must be careful. After all the effort of becoming a king, you become a cursed king. What is the point? Once caught up in the affairs of the world, you no longer control your own fate, do you? Why did God send a prophet to pronounce judgment? Did Ahab not know what he had done? We must therefore fear God! Never imagine that someone who does not fear God will come to a good end. Let me remind you again: be careful! Fear God!

When Ahab heard the prophet’s judgment and saw that Elijah had found him, he said, “Have you found me?” You can tell at once that he was bewildered. “Elijah, could you really find me?” Nobody needs to find you. The curse will find you by itself! Remember, sometimes you know perfectly well that a curse is coming upon you. How can you even say such a thing? What is a prophet’s role? To announce God’s judgment. It is not the prophet who brings it about. It is God.

Those of us who know God and have experienced Him must be very careful! You know that the LORD is God, yet sell yourself. What does selling yourself mean? It means that perhaps you did not want to do something, yet you did it anyway. God cannot be mocked. That is right. Was this not a judgment that wiped out their descendants? Jeroboam’s entire family line was cut off. Baasha’s entire family line was cut off. Ahab’s family line was cut off! Their ends were dreadful. Why? Because they were all under a curse.

The Commentary of the Author of 1 Kings

There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by his wife Jezebel. He acted most abominably by following idols, just as the Amorites had done, whom the LORD drove out before the Israelites. (1 Kings 21:25–26)

Let me tell you, all this was the result of idolatry. When you worship idols, God leads you to the point of judgment. Listen carefully. That is the author’s commentary. Today, anyone who replaces the LORD God with anything else will have increasing sorrows! I know that our brothers and sisters struggle inwardly. Again and again, I have said: do not love this world. The world and everything in it will pass away. Only God’s will and God’s word endure for ever.

But few people take it in. Once the feeling rises, you become Ahab. Once the feeling rises, you sell yourself to an idol. Once the feeling rises, you listen to your wife. Once the feeling rises, someone else takes your authority. You become a puppet in another person’s hands, nothing more than an ornament. It is bad enough without power. Once you have power, it becomes disastrous, does it not? Do you know that even anti-corruption efforts have to rely on mistresses?

In fact, it is no longer just the “third woman.” It is the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth. That is how it is. However strong you are, you cannot withstand the whispers from the pillow! What a powerful wind that is. Stronger than a typhoon, a hurricane, or any other wind. It blows until your world spins and you end up in prison, does it not?

Do not allow yourself to be seduced in this life. There are more than enough cautionary examples, are there not? Whether politicians or businessmen, the examples are beyond counting. This is the author’s commentary: never worship idols. Never replace the LORD God with anything else. Our work is not our god. Our children are not our god. Our parents are not our god. Our land and houses are not our god. None of these is of any use. The only thing that matters is to carefully obey God’s word and love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Ahab Humbled Himself, and God Deferred the Judgment

When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, fasted, and put on sackcloth. He lay down in sackcloth and went about subdued. The word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring this disaster during his lifetime. In his son’s days, I will bring this disaster upon his house.” (1 Kings 21:27–29)

Do you understand what you are reading? Even after hearing the judgment, Ahab could humble himself. I have found that many brothers and sisters hear a judgment and do not even humble themselves. He tore his clothes, fasted, and wore sackcloth. Let me tell you: God will not despise a broken and contrite heart.

At this point, he finally realised how detestable his wife Jezebel was. Previously, he had thanked her for helping him obtain Naboth’s vineyard. Only after God pronounced judgment did he realise: what did he need these things for? He had fallen into a trap. Once he came to his senses, he tore his clothes, fasted, and put on sackcloth. Do you understand? Why, then, did God say to Elijah, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me?”

Do you know something? Elijah was quite an interesting man. God said, “Go and see Ahab.” He said, “I will not go.” God said again, “Go and announce My judgment.” He said, “So You want me to play the villain again? I play the villain, then You privately give grace and mercy. I know how this works.” Let me tell you, throughout history there have been plenty of prophets like Jonah. It was not that they did not know God. They worked it out in their minds: “Are You making a fool of me? There is no point! God, whether I tell him or not, it is all the same. Just curse him. Give him a proper curse. Why send me?” God said, “No. You must go and announce it.”

Remember: when God sends a prophet to make a declaration to you, learn to humble yourself. Learn to tear your clothes, fast, and wear sackcloth. When you have done wrong and humble yourself, God never despises that. Understand that God is rich in grace and mercy. So He deferred the judgment and would bring disaster in the days of Ahab’s son. At least things would be all right during Ahab’s own lifetime. Adam was brought to grief by his wife. Ahab was brought to grief by his wife. There are brothers and sisters among us in the same situation. You know that the LORD is God, yet you sell yourself. You are deceived by your own wife and, because of family affection, sell yourself to idols. Ahab was a very particular figure. God revealed Himself to him repeatedly and allowed him to receive grace. Yet he not only failed to repent; he deliberately did evil in the eyes of the LORD. He was sold out by his own wife and did not even understand what had happened. In the end, he faced judgment.

We must understand this: if you have experienced God, do not provoke His anger again. Do you understand? Some brothers and sisters among us often lose their authority, selling it away because of those closest to them. Do not take that road again. What will you do if judgment comes? Repent sincerely.

May God bless you all!