1 Kings 20:7-8 WEB

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-11

Here is, I. The threatening descent which Ben-hadad made upon Ahab's kingdom, and the siege he laid to Samaria, his royal city, 1 Kgs. 20:1. What the ground of the quarrel was we are not told; covetousness and ambition were the principle, which would never want some pretence or other. David in his time had quite subdued the Syrians and made them tributaries to Israel, but Israel's apostasy from God makes them formidable again. Asa had tempted the Syrians to invade Israel once (1 Kgs.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:7

Then the King of Israel called all the elders of the land ,.... His poor sneaking spirit was a little aroused with the last message, and therefore called a council of the elders of the people upon it, which was a piece of wisdom in him: and said, mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief ; nothing less than the entire ruin of the nation: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I denied him not ; in the sense he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:8

And all the elders and all the people said unto him ,.... They were unanimous in their advice: hearken not unto him , nor consent ; promising, no doubt, that they would stand by him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:8

Hearken not unto him - The elders had every thing at stake, and they chose rather to make a desperate defense than tamely to yield to such degrading and ruinous conditions. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-11

The Spirit of War. In human histories so much is made of brilliant uniforms, scientific discipline, skilful manoeuvres, exploits, surprises, and successes, that readers are carried away with "the pomp and circumstance" of so-called "glorious war." In the text we have the other side; and we are reminded of the appeal of James: "From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your own lusts that war in your members?" ( James 4:1 .) Conspicuous amongst these is— ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-21

Veiled Mercies . I. AHAB 'S EXTREMITY ( 1 Kings 20:1-11 ). God's goodness to the froward is shown by His bringing them into circumstances where they may prove and know Him. The clouds they "so much dread are big with mercy." 1 . The land is overrun and the capital besieged . The fruit of sin is difficulty and disaster. The land and the life which will not acknowledge God will know at last what it is to be bereft of His protecting care and the ministrations of His goodness.... 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 20:7

Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land [Bähr remarks that this expression, compared with "the elders of the city" ( 1 Kings 21:8 , etc.), suggests either that these nobles, as the highest officials, had their residences at the court, or upon the approach of Ben-hadad had betaken themselves thither with their treasures. Rawlinson builds on this slender basis the conclusion that the council of elders which, he says, belonged to the undivided kingdom, had been continued... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:8

And an the eiders and an the people [not only, i.e; the inhabitants of Samaria (Keil), but also those who had flea thither for refuge. It is not implied that they were formally consulted, but at such a crisis, when nothing could be done, humanly speaking, without their support, it was natural that they should express their opinion] said unto him Hearken not unto him nor consent. [Lit; thou shalt not consent . אַל is the equivalent of μὴ , ne , and לא of οὐ , non. Cf. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 20:7

The political institution of a Council of elders (Exodus 3:16, etc.), which had belonged to the undivided nation from the sojourn in Egypt downward, had therefore been continued among the ten tribes after their separation, and still held an important place in the system of Government. The Council was not merely called together when the king needed it, but held its regular sittings at the seat of government; and hence, “all the elders of the land” were now present in Samaria. On the “elders of... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 20:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:1-43

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 20:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 20:7

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