1 Kings 20:22-25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 20:22-30

We have here an account of another successful campaign which Ahab, by divine aid, made against the Syrians, in which he gave them a greater defeat than in the former. Strange! Ahab idolatrous and yet victorious, a persecutor and yet a conqueror! God has wise and holy ends in suffering wicked men to prosper, and glorifies his own name thereby. I. Ahab is admonished by a prophet to prepare for another war, 1 Kgs. 20:22. It should seem, he was now secure, and looked but a little way before him.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:22

And the prophet came to the king of Israel ,.... The same that came to him before: and said unto him, go, strengthen thyself ; exhorted him to fortify his cities, especially Samaria, and increase his army, that he might be able to oppose the king of Syria: and mark, and see what thou doest : observe his moral and religious actions, and take heed that he did not offend the Lord by them, as well as make military preparations: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:23

And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him ,.... His ministers of state, his privy counsellors: their gods are gods of the hills, therefore they were stronger than we ; and beat them in the last battle; this notion they might receive from what they had heard of Jehovah delivering the law on Mount Sinai to Moses, and of the miraculous things done lately on Mount Carmel, as well as of their worship being in high places, especially at Jerusalem, the temple there being built on an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:24

And do this thing ,.... Also take this further piece of advice: take the kings away, every man out of his place : for being brought up delicately, they were not inured to war, nor expert in the art of it; and being addicted to pleasure, gave themselves to that, and drew the king into it, which they observed was the case before, though they did not care to mention it; and if they were tributaries or allies, they would not fight as men do for their own country: and put captains in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:25

And number thee an army like the army that thou hast lost ,.... Raise an army of an equal number, which they supposed he was able to do: horse for horse and chariot for chariot ; as many horses and chariots as he had before: and we will fight against them in the plain ; where they could make use of their horses and chariots to greater advantage than on hills and mountains, see Judges 1:19 . and surely we shall be stronger than they ; and beat them: and he hearkened unto... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:23

Their gods are gods of the hills - It is very likely that the small Israelitish army availed itself of the heights and uneven ground, that they might fight with greater advantage against the Syrian cavalry, for Ben-hadad came up against Samaria with horses and chariots, 1 Kings 20:1 . These therefore must be soon thrown into confusion when charging in such circumstances; indeed, the chariots must be nearly useless. Let us fight against them in the plain -... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:24

Take the kings away - These were not acquainted with military affairs, or they had not competent skill. Put experienced captains in their place, and fight not but on the plains, and you will be sure of victory. 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

And the prophet [obviously the same prophet] came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself [both as to army and to city], and mark, and see what thou doest ["Take every precaution. Don't think that the danger is past"]: for at the return of the year [in the following spring. There was a favourite time for campaigns ( 2 Samuel 11:1 ), viz; when the rainy season was past. Several late wars, notably those of our own armies in Africa and Afghanistan, have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:22

Go strengthen thyself ." Though God had delivered him once and would deliver him again ( 1 Kings 20:28 ), yet Ahab must consult for his own safety. While trusting in God, he must keep his powder dry. The same prophet who has announced deliverance by a band of youths , wholly inadequate to cope with the Syrians, now bids him look well to the defences of the country. Aide-toi et Dieu t'aidera ; this is the purport of his message. read more

Group of Brands