1 Kings 20:13-20 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 20:13

And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel ,.... Supposed by the Jewish writers to be Micaiah the son of Imlah, 1 Kings 22:9 one of those perhaps that Obadiah hid in the cave, and now is sent out publicly on an errand to Ahab: saying, thus saith the Lord, hast thou seen all this great multitude ? considered what a vast number Benhadad's army consisted of: behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day ; as great as it is: and thou shalt know that I am the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:14

And Ahab said, by whom ?.... Knowing he had no army with him sufficient to go out with against the Syrian army: and he said, thus saith the Lord, even by the young men of the princes of the provinces ; either such, as Kimchi thinks, who were brought up with him; or, as others, the sons of governors of provinces, who were kept as hostages, that their fathers might not rebel; neither of which is likely: but rather the servants of such princes who waited on them, and lived delicately and at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:15

Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two ,.... A very small number to go forth against so great an army as the host of the Syrians, and these raw unexperienced young men: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand ; which could never be the number of all the people in the land, nor even in the city of Samaria, who were able to bear arms; but it must mean such who were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:16

And they went out at noon ,.... From Samaria, the two hundred and thirty two young men, and the 7000 Israelites, openly, with great spirit and courage, fearless and undaunted; but it is not said that Ahab went out at the head of them; it seems as if he did not by what is said, 1 Kings 20:21 , but Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions (or booths, or tents), he, and the kings, the thirty two kings that helped him ; who either were his subjects, or his tributaries, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:17

And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first ,.... From Samaria, before the 7000 did: and Benhadad sent out ; of his pavilion, a messenger or messengers to his sentinels, to know what news, and how matters stood, whether Ahab had sent any message, signifying his compliance with his terms: and they told him, saying, there are men come out of Samaria ; but upon what account they could not say. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:18

And he said, whether they be come out for peace ,.... To propose terms of peace: take them alive ; make them prisoners, which was contrary to the laws of nations: or whether they be come out for war, take them alive ; he made no doubt of their being easily taken; but he would not have them be put to death, that he might examine them, and know the state of things in Samaria, and what Ahab intended to do, that he might take his measures accordingly. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:19

So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city ,.... First, as before observed, and marched forwards towards the Syrian camp: and the army which followed them ; consisting of 7000 men. read more

John Gill

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

And they slew everyone his man ,.... The Syrian army, or at least a body of men detached from them, met them, opposed them, and fought them, and they slew of them 7232 men; as many as they themselves were: and the Syrians fled ; not expecting such a rebuff: and Israel pursued them ; to make some further advantage of their victory: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse, with the horsemen ; with two couple of horsemen, as the Targum; with these to guard him he galloped... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:13

There came a prophet - Who this was we cannot tell; Jarchi says it was Micaiah, son of Imlah. It is strange that on such an occasion we hear nothing of Elijah or Elisha. Is it not possible that this was one of them disguised? read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:19

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:13

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