"A certain man drew a bow at a venture."--_1 Kings 22:34._
[Illustration]
WHEN Ahab had let Naboth be stoned that he might get his vineyard, the
Prophet Elijah said that Ahab would be greatly punished, and that where
the dogs licked up Naboth's blood there they would lick up Ahab's; and
that cruel Jezebel should be eaten up by dogs, so that no one could
say, This is Jezebel.
Some time after, Ahab went out to fight a battle. He was afraid,
because his conscience troubled him, and he thought he should be safer
if he did not go out to fight dressed like a king, for he knew the
enemies would all come and try to kill him if they saw him in his
robes. But he dressed only like a common captain, and thought they
would take no notice, and he would be safe. He forgot that if the enemy
did not know him God knew him, and that God could see it was Ahab just
as well in his common dress as in his robes and crown.
So a man drew his bow, not shooting at anybody in particular; but God's
will guided the arrow, and it wounded Ahab so badly that he desired
to be taken out of the battle, and he died before he could be carried
home. His chariot was full of his blood, and his servants washed it in
the place where Naboth had been stoned to death; and the wild hungry
dogs came and licked up the blood, just as they had licked up Naboth's
blood. So you see no hiding could get away from God.
[Illustration: THE DEATH OF KING AHAB.--1 Kings 22:34.]