1 Kings 20:26-27

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 20:26

And it came to pass at the return of the year ,.... In the spring, or autumn, as some think; see Gill on 2 Samuel 11:1 . that Benhadad numbered the Syrians ; took a muster of his army, to see if he had got the number he had before: and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel ; not that in Judah, Joshua 15:53 , rather that in Asher, Joshua 19:30 , but it seems to be that which Adrichomius F12 Theatrum Terrae Sanct. p. 35. places in Issachar, near to the famous camp of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:27

And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present ,.... The same as before; the two hundred and thirty two young men of the princes of the provinces, and 7000 of the people, not one was missing: and went against them ; out of Samaria, towards Aphek: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids : being few and weak, the two hundred and thirty two young men in one body, and the 7000 in another: but the Syrians filled the country : with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:26

Ben-hadad numbered the Syrians , and went up to Aphek - There were several towns of this name; see the notes on Joshua 12:18 . It is supposed that the town mentioned here was situated in Libanus, upon the river Adonis, between Heliopolis and Biblos. 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 20:22-30

Wisdom in Counsel. No man is so wise that it may not be to his advantage to consider advice; but in listening to advice we may be led astray. There are two classes of advisers, viz; those who are influenced by the "wisdom of this world," and those who are influenced by the "wisdom from above." Of both we have examples in the text. I. THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD IS A WISDOM OF EXPEDIENCY . 1 . It is not destitute of sagacity . (a) Ben-hadad's counsellors... 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 20:26

And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Ben-hadad numbered the Syrians [Heb. Syria ], and went up to Aphek [As the word signifies "fortress," it is only natural that several different places should bear this name, and the commentators are not agreed as to which of them is here intended. Keil and Bähr identify it with the Aphek hard by Shunem (1 Samuels 29:1; cf. 28:4), and therefore in the plain of Esdraelon, while Gesenius and Grove the latter because of its connection with ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:27

And the children of Israel were numbered [lit; numbered themselves . Hith-pael], and were all present [Rather, and were provided with food, כוּל = to nourish. The Alex. LXX . inserts καὶ διοικήθησαν . Vulgate accepetis cibariis . Marg . were victualled . This word of itself suggests that they were at a distance from their capital or other city], and went against them [Heb. to meet them]: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 20:26

Aphek - There were several places of this name in Palestine (see the marginal reference). This Aphek has been almost certainly identified with the modern Fik, a large village on the present high road from Damascus to Nablous and Jersalem. The expression “went up to Aphek” is appropriate, for Fik, though in a level country, is at a much higher elevation than Damascus. read more

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