1 Kings 20:9

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:1-43

War between Israel and SyriaThe Syrians besiege Samaria, but a sally being made from the city by the direction of a prophet, they are driven off, and the next year are beaten at Aphek. Ahab, having spared Benhadad the Syrian king, is rebuked by a prophet in the name of the Lord.1. Ben-hadad] probably the son of the Benhadad mentioned, in 1 Kings 15:18. In the Assyrian inscription he is termed Dad-idri, i.e. Hadadezer. The history here reverts to the Syrian attacks upon Israel made originally at... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Kings 20:1-43

The Partial Exclusion of God 1 Kings 20:28 I. There are scenes with which we naturally associate God; and how true that was of the Syrians a glance will show us. It was among the hills that Israel fought them; it was on the rough hillside that Israel conquered. For us no less than for the Syrians there is a suggestion of God about the hills. It was on a hill that our Saviour blessed the world with the priceless preaching of the Sermon on the Mount. And on a hill-top having said farewell He... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-30

AHAB AND BENHADAD1 Kings 20:1-30IN the Septuagint and in Josephus the events narrated in the twentieth chapter of the Book of Kings are placed after the meeting of Elijah with Ahab at the door of Naboth’s vineyard, which occupies the twenty-first chapter in our version. This order of events seems the more probable, but no chronological data are given us in the long but fragmentary details of Ahab’s reign. They are, in fact, composed of different sets of records, partly historical, partly... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Kings 20:1-43

4. King Ahab: His Wicked Reign and End CHAPTER 20 Ahab’s War with the Syrians and His Victory 1. The siege and relief of Samaria (1 Kings 20:1-21 ) 2. The victory at Aphek (1 Kings 20:22-34 ) 3. A prophet’s symbolical action and his message (1 Kings 20:35-43 ) Two expeditions of Ben-hadad (son of the Sun) against Israel are recorded in this chapter. When Ben-hadad forced the war and insulted the King of Israel, Ahab prepared for the battle. Then a prophet came to Ahab, most likely one... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:1-43

AHAB DEFEATS SYRIA (vs.1-22) God's care for His people Israel is still remarkably displayed in this chapter in spite of the unholy character of Ahab. Ben Hadad, king of Syria, marshaled a tremendous army, having 32 kings allied with him, and came to Samaria to besiege the city. Because he was so confident of his superior strength, he did not immediately begin battle, however, but sent messengers to Ahab to tell him, "Your silver and your gold are mine; your loveliest wives and children are... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-43

CLOSE OF AHAB ’S REIGN HIS DEALING WITH BEN-HADAD (1 Kings 20:0 ) Among the remarkable chapters of this book the present stands out distinctively, but we shall be unable to give it the consideration it should have if we forget God’s purpose in dealing with Israel. It has been reiterated that He is using that people as an instrument in the redemption of mankind, and especially as a witness to Himself before the nations. This explains everything in their history, and to ignore it is to make... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Kings 20:1-43

The Universal God 1Ki 20:28 This was the profound mistake which the Syrian soldiers made. We fear that the whole world is making the same mistake. What, if on inquiry it should be proved that we have a partial religion, a religion useful here but useless there, an admirable contemplation for Sunday, but a grievous burden for Monday? What if we practically reverse the Syrian conception, and say that the Lord is God of the valleys but not God of the hills? That we want him in dark and dangerous... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Kings 20:7-11

(7) Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not. (8) And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent. (9) Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:1-11

1-11 Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies shall: guilt dispirits men, and makes them cowards. Ahab became desperate. Men will part with their most pleasant things, those they most love, to save their lives; yet they lose their souls rather than part with any pleasure or interest to prevent it. Here is one of the wisest sayings that... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Kings 20:1-21

Benhadad's first Defeat v. 1. And Benhadad, the king of Syria, under whom the kingdom had grown very strong, gathered all his host together, his entire army; and there were thirty and two kings with him, vassal kings, tributary chiefs, including lords of single cities and their districts, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, in a campaign of conquest, and warred against it. v. 2. And he sent messengers to Ahab, king of Israel, into the city and said unto him,... read more

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