1 Kings 20:29-33: a reflection

29They encamped opposite each other for seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle was joined; and the children of Israel killed one hundred thousand footmen of the Syrians in one day. 30But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand men who were left. Ben Hadad fled and came into the city, into an inner room. 31His servants said to him, “See now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our bodies and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Maybe he will save your life.” 32So they put sackcloth on their bodies and ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, “Your servant Ben Hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” He said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” 33Now the men observed diligently and hurried to take this phrase; and they said, “Your brother Ben Hadad.” Then he said, “Go, bring him.” Then Ben Hadad came out to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.

After a great defeat, the enemy king Ben-Hadad hides, and his servants make a desperate plan. They have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful kings; so they go out in sackcloth, pleading for their master's life, hoping mercy will be shown. And their hope is not disappointed: the king of Israel receives Ben-Hadad, calls him brother, and spares his life. Even a defeated enemy, staking his last hope on the mercy of God's people, found mercy shown to him.

Notice what the enemy's servants counted on: the reputation of God's people for mercy. They had heard that Israel's kings were merciful, and on that reputation they staked their lives, coming to plead rather than to fight. And they found the mercy they hoped for. However complicated the wider story, this much stands: God's people had a name for mercy, such that even a defeated enemy dared to hope in it, and coming to plead for mercy, received it.

That a reputation for mercy is a good name to bear is worth taking to heart. The enemy came, not expecting vengeance, but hoping in mercy, because of the reputation God's people had. What kind of reputation do we bear? Are we known as people to whom the desperate can come hoping for mercy, or as people to be feared for our harshness? God, who is merciful, would have his people known for mercy, such that even those who have wronged us or opposed us might dare to hope in it. Cultivate a reputation for mercy, such that the desperate, even those who have been against you, might dare to come to you hoping for mercy, and find it. A name for mercy is a name worth bearing, reflecting the God who is merciful; let those around you know you as one to whom they can come hoping for mercy, and not be disappointed.

Lord, after his defeat, the enemy king Ben-Hadad staked his last hope on the reputation of Israel's kings for mercy, coming in sackcloth to plead; and he found the mercy he hoped for. Let that reputation for mercy be a name I take to heart. The enemy came, not expecting vengeance, but hoping in mercy, because of the reputation your people had. What kind of reputation do I bear? Am I known as one to whom the desperate can come hoping for mercy, or as one to be feared for harshness? You, who are merciful, would have your people known for mercy, such that even those who have wronged us or opposed us might dare to hope in it. Help me cultivate a reputation for mercy, such that the desperate, even those who have been against me, might dare to come to me hoping for mercy, and find it. A name for mercy is a name worth bearing, reflecting you, who are merciful; let those around me know me as one to whom they can come hoping for mercy, and not be disappointed. Make me merciful, Lord, as you are merciful.