John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:18
And he said, whether they be come out for peace ,.... To propose terms of peace: take them alive ; make them prisoners, which was contrary to the laws of nations: or whether they be come out for war, take them alive ; he made no doubt of their being easily taken; but he would not have them be put to death, that he might examine them, and know the state of things in Samaria, and what Ahab intended to do, that he might take his measures accordingly. read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12-21
The treaty between the besiegers and the besieged being broken off abruptly, we have here an account of the battle that ensued immediately. I. The Syrians, the besiegers, had their directions from a drunken king, who gave orders over his cups, as he was drinking (1 Kgs. 20:12), drinking himself drunk (1 Kgs. 20:16) with the kings in the pavilions, and this at noon. Drunkenness is a sin which armies and their officers have of old been addicted to. Say not thou then that the former days were, in... read more