John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12
And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message (as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions) ,.... Though it was at noon, or before, 1 Kings 20:16 , which shows that he and they were addicted to intemperance: that he said unto his servants ; some of the principal officers of his army: set yourselves in array ; prepare for battle, betake yourselves to your arms, invest the city at once, and place the engines against it to batter it down: and they set themselves... 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