20:42 whom I had devoted to destruction. See Lev. 27:28; Josh. 6:17; 7:1, 20–26. The wars were campaigns fought and won by God Himself, using the Israelites as His agents. In fighting these wars Israel was to conduct itself in a prescribed manner, observing stipulations of holy conduct. Ahab was willing to accept divine victory, but he violated the rules for the holy war by making a treaty with Ben-hadad and yoking Israel to a foreign power (Deut. 7:1–6; 20:16–18).

your life shall be for his life, and your people for his people. Even though each person is responsible for his own conduct before God, the actions of each person inevitably affect the lives of others for good or ill.