In 2 Chron. 28, Ahaz, king of Judah, a wicked king, led the people into gross sin, so God let the people lose terribly in battle.
But just as 200,000 people of Judah were being taken away as slaves by the victors, the prophet Oded spoke up and told their captors: "God is punishing us for sinning. Do you want to make us slaves and chance getting judged even harsher?"
When 4 leaders heard this, they stopped the soldiers, had the captives cared for with the booty from the battle, and sent them back home. They came home better clothed and fed than before they lost the war!
Most people would rather hear stories like David and Goliath, the Walls of Jericho, or Gideon's 300 men, where they can praise valiant heroes for their courage. Stories like this, where defeated sinners repent and accept undeserving favor...well, it's not supposed to be in the Old Testament, is it?
