First Kings 20:1-30 tells a story of Ben-Hadad who attempted to take Samaria, the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel. He sent messengers to Ahab, the king of Israel, and demanded silver, gold, his loveliest wives and the king’s children. Ahab, so afraid of this Syrian king, willingly offered to submit to this cruel request. Ben-Hadad, who wanted to anger Israel into war, sent the messengers back saying that his servants would come the next day and take all from Israel that he liked. Ahab consulted his elders about this cruelty. The elders told him not to honor Ben-Hadad’s requests and this certainly meant war. Ben-Hadad then boasted that nothing would be left of Samaria except handfuls of dust. Ahab’s reply stated, “Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.” Through the providence of God, who was disrespected and displeased by Ben-Hadad’s boast, the innumerable army of Syria was defeated by the small army of Israel and Ben-Hadad was captured. This story illustrates the importance of the tongue in pleasing God. Although the northern kingdom of Israel repeatedly sinned against God, he was still their God. No one would destroy God’s people until he decided they were to be destroyed. Ben-Hadad’s boastful comment revealed a pride and arrogance that angered God. If Ben-Hadad had never said those words, if he had controlled his tongue, maybe God would have used him to punish the sins of Israel. Unfortunately for Syria,