1 Kings 20:31-34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 20:31-43

Here is an account of what followed upon the victory which Israel obtained over the Syrians. I. Ben-hadad's tame and mean submission. Even in his inner chamber he feared, and would, if he could, flee further, though none pursued. His servants, seeing him and themselves reduced to the last extremity, advised that they should surrender at discretion, and make themselves prisoners and petitioners to Ahab for their lives, 1 Kgs. 20:31. The servants will put their lives in their hands, and venture... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:31

And his servants said unto him ,.... Being reduced to the utmost extremity; for if he attempted to go out of the city, he would fall into the hands of the Israelites, and there was no safety in it, the wall of it being fallen down; and it could not be thought he could be concealed long in the chamber where he was, wherefore his servants advised as follows: behold, now, we have heard that the kings of the Israel are merciful kings ; not only the best of them as David and Solomon, but even... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:32

So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads ,.... Signifying they came to surrender themselves to him as his captives and prisoners, and he might do with them as seemed good to him, hang them up if he pleased, for which they brought ropes with them, as a token that they deserved it, see Isaiah 20:2 , and came to the king of Israel, and said, thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee let me live : he that a little while ago insolently demanded his wives, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:33

Now the men did diligently observe whether anything would come from him ,.... That would be a good omen to them, and encourage them to hope for success; they observed him as diligently by his words and behaviour as soothsayers do when they look out for a lucky sign; for the word is sometimes used of divining F19 ינחשו "augurati sunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus. : and did hastily catch it ; as soon as it was out of his mouth, and laid hold on it to improve it to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:34

And Benhadad said unto him ,.... The word Benhadad is not in the original text, and some, as Osiander and others, have thought they are the words of Ahab last spoken of; which seems most likely, who not only took Benhadad into his chariot, but in his great and superabundant kindness, though the conqueror, said to him what follows: the cities which my father took from thy father I will restore ; that is, those cities which Omri, the father of Ahab, had taken from the father of Benhadad;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:31

Put sackcloth on our loins , and ropes upon our heads - Let us show ourselves humbled in the deepest manner, and let us put ropes about our necks, and go submitting to his mercy, and deprecating his wrath. The citizens of Calais are reported to have acted nearly in the same way when they surrendered their city to Edward III., king of England, in 1346. See at the end, 1 Kings 20:43 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:32

Thy servant Ben-hadad - See the vicissitude of human affairs! A little before he was the haughtiest of all tyrants, and Ahab calls him his lord; now, so much is he humbled, that he will be glad to be reputed Ahab's slave! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:33

Did hastily catch it - They were watching to see if any kind word should be spoken by him, from which they might draw a favorable omen; and when they heard him use the word brother, it gave them much encouragement. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:34

Thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus - It appears that it was customary for foreigners to have a place assigned to them, particularly in maritime towns, where they might deposit and vend their merchandise. This was the very origin of European settlements in Asiatic countries: "The people gave an inch to those strangers; and in consequence they took an ell." Under the pretense of strengthening the place where they kept their wares, to prevent depredations, they built... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-43

The Purgatory of Nations and Kings. The two invasions of Israel by the armies of Syria, and their defeat by the finger of God, may suggest some lessons as to God's dealings with nations, and with oppressive and tyrannical kings. Two considerations must, however, be borne in mind here. First, that the present age, unlike the Mosaic, is not a dispensation of temporal rewards and punishments. It is true that even now men do receive a rough sort of retribution, according to their... read more

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