1 Kings 20:33

Now the men did diligently observe whether anything would come from him, and did hastily catch it.

Observing the king’s word

I. It is a pity that awakened sinners do not copy the example of these men.

1. There is far too little of diligent observance of what God says in His word.

2. The same thing ought to be done when you are heating the Gospel preached; for God has been pleased, in order that His truth may be brought home to your hearts, to choose certain of His servants to speak His word; and, so far as they speak in accordance with His mind and will, they speak for God to you.

3. Then, again, while there is too little of diligent observation of what God has said, there is also far too little of hastily catching at the word.

II. It is very strange that sinners act thus, for it is not consistent with the usual ways of mankind.

1. We have a proverb which says that “drowning men catch at straws.” So they do; and when a man is in peril, he will usually grasp at anything that seems to offer him a hope of escape. How is it, then, that, with a Bible full of promises, and a Gospel full of encouragements, the mass of people with troubled consciences do not at once catch at what God says? There is another proverb of ours which says that “the wish is father to the thought.” Sometimes, a man wishes for a thing so long that, at last, he believes it is really his; but how strange it is that, in spiritual things, men wish, and wish, and wish,--or say that they do,--and yet they do not believe that it is as they wish! The more they wish, the further they seem to be from the blessing they desire to possess.

2. This is the more strange, too, because you can continually see how sinners catch at everything else. See how they cling to their own righteousness. A thousand tons of it are not worth a farthing; it is neither fit for the land nor yet for the dunghill, yet they prize it as if it was a heap of diamonds. See what confidence many put in utterly worthless forms and ceremonies.

III. When we are dealing with God, there is very much to catch at. Many years ago, when I was in great distress of soul, and could not find Christ for a long while, I would have been glad if I had heard anybody speak about how much there is for a troubled soul to catch at. Perhaps I did hear something about it; but, if so, I did not catch at it, though I think I should have done so if it had really been made plain and clear to me. Until God the Holy Ghost enlightens the soul, the truth may be put very plainly, but we do not see it. I will try, now, to set it before any one here who is willing to catch at it.

1. Now, poor troubled soul, if it had been God’s purpose to destroy you,--if He never intended to hear your prayers--if He never meant to save you--let me ask you, very earnestly--Why did He give you the Bible? I want you to catch at this thought.

2. Again, why has God raised up a ministry, and given you the opportunity of listening to it? Why are you continually being warned to flee from the wrath to come? Why are you constantly being instructed in the truths of the Gospel?

3. I remind you also that you are still on praying ground.

4. See, next, if you cannot catch at this great truth--God has given Jesus Christ to die for sinners. You are a sinner, so catch at this glorious fact: “He gave Himself for our sins.”

5. There is another truth that I think some’ of you might catch at; it is this one: “God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” This was the message that our Lord Jesus Christ Himself preached, “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

6. Then, again, what can be the meaning of that other command, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” except that if, as a guilty sinner, I come and trust in Christ, I shall be saved? It is even so; indeed, I am saved as soon as ever I do believe in Jesus.

IV. There is much greater encouragement for you and for me, than there was for those messengers from Ben-hadad.

1. For, first, suppose Ahab did utter a hopeful word, he was very deceitful.

2. Then, again, when those men listened to Ahab, he might have uttered a friendly word without meaning it.

3. These messengers from Ben-hadad said that the Kings of Israel were merciful kings; and we know that God is much more merciful than they were, for “His mercy endureth for ever.”

4. Those messengers from Ben-hadad might have believed be: tar of Ahab than would have been true, but you cannot believe better of God than will be true. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

Lying at the catch

Sinner, whoever thou art coming to Christ, believe it, thou wilt not injure Christ at all, if, as Ben-hadad’s servants served Ahab, thou shalt catch Him at His word. “The men did diligently observe whether anything would come from him,” to wit, any word of grace, “and did hastily catch it.” And it happened that Ahab had called Ben-hadad his brother. The men replied, therefore, Thy “brother Benhadad”: catching him at his word. Sinner, coming sinner, serve Jesus Christ thus, and He will take it kindly at thy hands. When He in His argument called the Canaanitish woman “dog,” she catched Him at it, and said, “Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” I say she catched Him thus in His words, and He took it kindly, saying, “O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee as thou wilt.” Catch Him, coming sinner, catch Him in His words; surely He will take it kindly, and will not be offended at thee. (J. Bunyan.)