1 Kings 20:35-43 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:36

Then said he unto him, because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the Lord ,.... In not smiting him; which, if he was a prophet, he must know how great an evil it was to disregard or disobey what was said by a prophet in his name; he must be inexcusable: behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee . And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him ; which may seem severe, yet being an act of disobedience to the command of God, by a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:37

Then he found another man, and said, smite me, I pray thee ,.... This is not said to be his neighbour, nor one of the sons of the prophets, but a rustic man, and so stuck not to take him at his word: and the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him ; in his face; made some incision in his flesh, broke the skin, and fetched blood of him; perhaps somewhere about his eyes, by what follows: this he got done to him, that he might look like a wounded soldier, and thereby get the more... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:38

So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way ,.... As he went from Aphek, the place where the battle had been fought, to Samaria, his royal seat: and disguised himself with ashes upon his face ; the Targum is, he covered his eyes with a vail, or piece of cloth, which he wrapped about his head, as men do when they have got a wound or bruise in such a part, which seems very probable; for had he besmeared his face with ashes, clay, or dust, or any such thing, he could not so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:39

And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king ,.... With a loud voice, signifying he had something to say unto him, at which he stopped: and he said, thy servant went out into the midst of the battle ; this was not real, but fictitious, an apologue, fable, or parable, by which he would represent to Ahab his own case, and bring him under conviction of his folly, just as Nathan dealt with David: and, behold, a man turned aside ; a superior officer in the army: and brought a man... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:40

And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone ,.... Employed in one thing or another relative to the battle, his prisoner committed to his care made his escape: and the king of Israel said unto him, so shall thy judgment be, thyself hast decided it ; the sentence was plain and open against him, that either he must die or pay the money, for he himself had agreed to it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:41

And he hasted, and took away the ashes from his face ,.... Took off the linen cloth from his eyes, unveiled or unmasked himself: and the king of Israel discerned him, that he was of the prophets ; he knew him again, having seen him once or twice before; otherwise there could be nothing in his face that could discover him to be a prophet, rather he was to be known by his habit. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:42

And he said unto him, thus saith the Lord ,.... He spake not his own sense, and in his own words, but in the name of the Lord, for which he had authority, that it might have the greater weight with Ahab: because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction ; meaning Benhadad; or "the man of my anathema or curse" F23 איש חרמי "vir anathematis mei", Montanus, Piscator. ; cursed of God for his blasphemy of him, and devoted by him to ruin on that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:43

And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased ,.... With the prophet for what he had said, and with himself for what he had done in letting Benhadad go; the Targum is, he was "troubled and grieved,' not so much for the sin he had committed, as for the punishment of it on him and his people: and came to Samaria ; with a heavy heart, for the message of the prophet had spoiled the joy of his victory. read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:36

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:37

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:40

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:41

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:42

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:43

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