1 Kings 20:35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 20:31-43

Here is an account of what followed upon the victory which Israel obtained over the Syrians. I. Ben-hadad's tame and mean submission. Even in his inner chamber he feared, and would, if he could, flee further, though none pursued. His servants, seeing him and themselves reduced to the last extremity, advised that they should surrender at discretion, and make themselves prisoners and petitioners to Ahab for their lives, 1 Kgs. 20:31. The servants will put their lives in their hands, and venture... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:35

And a certain man of the sons of the prophets ,.... Which the Jews take to be Micaiah, and so Josephus F21 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 14. sect, 5. , which is probable; the same that had been with Ahab more than once; and, whoever he was, it is not unlikely that he was the same, since Ahab knew him when his disguise was off, 1 Kings 20:41 , said unto his neighbour, in the word of the Lord, smite me, I pray thee ; told his neighbour, that by the command of God he was ordered to bid him smite... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:35

In the word of the Lord - By the word or command of the Lord; that is, God has commanded thee to smite me. Refusing to do it, this man forfeited his life, as we are informed in the next verse. By this emblematical action he intended to inform Ahab that, as the man forfeited his life who refused to smite him when he had the Lord's command to do it; so he (Ahab) had forfeited his life, because he did not smite Ben-hadad when he had him in his power. 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 20:22-43

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 20:30-43

False Mercy. The first army with which Ben-hadad invaded Israel was defeated with "great slaughter," and the king saved himself by flight. The defeat of the second was even more complete, when 127,000 men were destroyed and the king had to surrender at discretion. But Ahab, for his false mercy in sparing the life of Ben-hadad, brought judgment upon himself and upon his people. I. MERCY IS FALSE WHEN IT OPPOSES THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD . 1 . That righteousness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:35

And a certain man [Heb. one man ; of. 1 Kings 13:11 , note] of the sons of the prophets [Here mentioned for the first time, though the prophetic schools probably owed their existence, certainly their development, to Samuel. The בּנֵי הָןּ are of course not the children, but the pupils of the prophets. For this use of "son," cf. 1 Samuel 20:1-42 :81 ("a son of death"); 2 Samuel 12:5 ; Deuteronomy 25:2 ; Matthew 23:15 ; 1 Kings 4:30 ; Ezra 2:1 ; John 17:12 , and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 20:35

The sons of the prophets - The expression occurs here for the first time. It signifies (marginal references), the schools or colleges of prophets which existed in several of the Israelite, and probably of the Jewish, towns, where young men were regularly educated for the prophetical office. These “schools” make their first appearance under Samuel 1 Samuel 19:20. There is no distinct evidence that they continued later than the time of Elisha; but it is on the whole most probable that the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 20:35

1 Kings 20:35. A certain man said to his neighbour Hebrew, אל רעהו , eel regnehu, to his companion, as St. Hierom translates it, that is, to a prophet bred in the same school with himself, who well understood the importance of obeying the command. In the word of the Lord In the name and by the command of God, whereof, doubtless, he had informed him. Smite me, I pray thee So as to wound me, 1 Kings 20:37. He speaks what God commanded him, though it was to his own hurt; by which... 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

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