1 Kings 20:39-40

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 20:39

And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king ,.... With a loud voice, signifying he had something to say unto him, at which he stopped: and he said, thy servant went out into the midst of the battle ; this was not real, but fictitious, an apologue, fable, or parable, by which he would represent to Ahab his own case, and bring him under conviction of his folly, just as Nathan dealt with David: and, behold, a man turned aside ; a superior officer in the army: and brought a man... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:40

And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone ,.... Employed in one thing or another relative to the battle, his prisoner committed to his care made his escape: and the king of Israel said unto him, so shall thy judgment be, thyself hast decided it ; the sentence was plain and open against him, that either he must die or pay the money, for he himself had agreed to it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:39

Keep this man - The drift of this is at once seen; but Ahab, not knowing it, was led to pass sentence on himself. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:22-43

Resisted Mercy. I. GOD MULTIPLIES HIS BENEFITS TO THE SINFUL ( 1 Kings 20:22-30 ). Ahab makes no public acknowledgment of God's mercy, nor, so far as appears, has it been suffered to change in any way his attitude towards Jehovah; yet God crowns him with loving-kindnesses. 1 . Delivered from one danger, he is warned of another . "Go, strengthen thyself, and see what thou doer," etc. The enemy, baffled for the time, will return again. The intimation was a call not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:30-43

False Mercy. The first army with which Ben-hadad invaded Israel was defeated with "great slaughter," and the king saved himself by flight. The defeat of the second was even more complete, when 127,000 men were destroyed and the king had to surrender at discretion. But Ahab, for his false mercy in sparing the life of Ben-hadad, brought judgment upon himself and upon his people. I. MERCY IS FALSE WHEN IT OPPOSES THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD . 1 . That righteousness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:39

And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king [in his capacity of supreme judge; see on 1 Kings 3:9 ]: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle [ i.e; the recent battle]; and , behold, a man turned aside [ סָר ; cf. 1 Kings 22:43 ; Exodus 3:3 ; Exodus 32:8 . But Ewald, al . would read, סַר prince or captain (properly שַׂר ), a change which certainly lends force to the apologue, and makes the analogy more complete. Only such an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:40

And as thy servant was busy [Heb. doing . The LXX . περιεβλέψατο ὁ δοῦλός σου , and the Vulgate dum ego turbatus hue illucque me verterem, have led some critics to urge the substitution of פֹּגֶה turning, or שֹׁעֶה looking, for עֹשֵׂה doing, in the text. But no alteration is needed] here and there [or hither and thither— the ה is generally local —as in Joshua 8:20 . But sometimes it is merely demonstrative, "here and there," as in ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:40

" Thyself hast decided it ." So shall our judgment be. "Out of thine own mouth," etc. ( Luke 19:22 ). How many will stand self condemned, condemned by their own precepts, condemned by the sentences they have passed upon others, by the measure they have exacted from others, etc. read more

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