1 Kings 20:12 NIV

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

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:12

In the pavilions - This word comes from papilio , a butterfly, because tents, when pitched or spread out, resembled such animals; partly because of the mode of their expansion, and partly because of the manner in which they were painted. Set yourselves in array - The original word, שימו simu , which we translate by this long periphrasis, is probably a military term for Begin the attack, Invest the city, Every man to his post, or some such like expression. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-21

Veiled Mercies . I. AHAB 'S EXTREMITY ( 1 Kings 20:1-11 ). God's goodness to the froward is shown by His bringing them into circumstances where they may prove and know Him. The clouds they "so much dread are big with mercy." 1 . The land is overrun and the capital besieged . The fruit of sin is difficulty and disaster. The land and the life which will not acknowledge God will know at last what it is to be bereft of His protecting care and the ministrations of His goodness.... 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 20:12

And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad [Heb. he ] heard this message [Heb. word ], as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions [Heb. booths . The word shows that, in lieu of tents, kings and generals on an expedition sometimes used leafy huts, like those of Israel ( Leviticus 23:34 , Leviticus 23:42 ). Such booths, it is said, are still erected on military expeditions in the East], that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array [Heb. שִׂימוּ one short,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12

" Set yourselves in array " (Heb. שִימוּ ). The command was prompt and decided enough. But observe, he himself went on drinking ( 1 Kings 20:16 ). This helps to explain his defeat. He was a man of words only. The successful generals—it is a trite saying—are those who say "Come," not "Go." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12-21

The hand of God. The notable answer of the king of Israel to the insolent king of Syria, "Let not him that girdeth on the harness boast himself as he that putteth it off," came to Ben-hadad when he was drinking wine with the thirty and two kings that followed him. He at once gave orders to his servants to set themselves in battle array. While the enormous host which "filled the country" (see 1 Kings 20:25 , 1 Kings 20:27 ) disposed itself to attack the city, the men of Israel, who were... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 20:12

Pavilions - “Booths” (Genesis 33:17 margin; Leviticus 23:42; Jonah 4:5). The term seems to be properly applied to a stationary “booth” or “hut,” as distinguished from a moveable “tent.” On military expeditions, and especially in the case of a siege, such “huts” were naturally constructed to shelter the king and his chief officers. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-43

Defeat of Ben-hadad (20:1-43)Ahab appeared to be in serious trouble when a combined army of Syria (Aram) and neighbouring states besieged the Israelite capital Samaria and demanded heavy payments. Ahab at first submitted (20:1-4), but when their demands increased, he changed his mind and decided to fight (5-12).A prophet assured Ahab that God would give Israel victory (13-15). Ahab’s plan, based on the prophet’s advice, was to send a large group of young men ahead to distract the Syrians, then... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-43

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12-21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 20:12

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-43

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