1 Kings 20:26-30 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:28

And there came a man of God ,.... The same as before, 1 Kings 20:13 or had come F16 ויגש "accesserat", Vatablus. before the little army went out to meet the Syrians; though he might go to Ahab when encamped, for his encouragement: and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, thus saith the Lord, because the Syrians have said, the Lord is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys ; See Gill on 1 Kings 20:23 . therefore will I deliver, all this great multitude into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:29

And they pitched one over against the other seven days ,.... Very probably the Israelites pitched upon an hill, and the Syrians waited till they changed their position, not caring to fall upon them, though so very supernumerary to them, for the reason before given: and so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined ; or they that made war drew nigh, as the Targum, and both sides engaged in battle: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians 100,000 footmen in one day ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:30

But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city ,.... Which perhaps was in the hands of the Syrians, and was designed for a retreat for them, should they be beaten: and there a wall fell upon twenty seven thousand of the men that were left ; not slain in the battle; here again the Lord might be seen, who, as Abarbinel observes, fought from heaven, and either by a violent wind, or an earthquake, threw down the wall upon them just as they had got under it for shelter: and Benhadad fled, and... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:28

Because the Syrians have said - God resents their blasphemy, and is determined to punish it. They shall now be discomfited in such a way as to show that God's power is every where, and that the multitude of a host is nothing against him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:29

Slew a hundred thousand footmen in one day - This number is enormous; but the MSS. and versions give no various reading. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:30

A wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand - From the first view of this text it would appear that when the Syrians fled to Aphek, and shut themselves within the walls, the Israelites immediately brought all hands, and sapped the walls, in consequence of which a large portion fell, and buried twenty-seven thousand men. But perhaps the hand of God was more immediately in this disaster; probably a burning wind is meant. See at the end of the chapter, 1 Kings 20:43 ; (note). ... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:26

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:30

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:28

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:29

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:30

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