INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 20 This chapter relates the siege of Samaria by the king of Syria, and his insolent demand of Ahab's wives, children, and riches, 1 Kings 20:1, the sally made out upon him, at the direction of the prophet, and the route made of the Syrian army, 1 Kings 20:13, the return of t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BENHADAD THE KING OF SYRIA GATHERED ALL HIS HOST TOGETHER,.... This was Benhadad the second, the son of that Benhadad, to whom Asa sent to help him against Baasha, 1 Kings 15:18 AND THERE WERE THIRTY AND TWO KINGS WITH HIM; these were heads of families, so called, and at most governors of citie... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SENT MESSENGERS TO AHAB KING OF ISRAEL, INTO THE CITY,.... Who there remained, and attempted not to go forth and meet him, and stop his progress, though he must have passed great part of his dominions to come to Samaria: AND SAID UNTO HIM, THUS SAITH BENHADAD; by them, his messengers, as fol... [ Continue Reading ]
THY SILVER AND THY GOLD IS MINE,.... Not of right, but reckoning it as good as in his hands, Ahab not being able to resist him: AND THY WIVES ALSO; for it seems he had more than Jezebel: AND THY CHILDREN; which were many, for he had no less than seventy sons, 2 Kings 10:1, EVEN THE GOODLIEST ARE... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING OF ISRAEL ANSWERED AND SAID, MY LORD, O KING,.... So he said to Benhadad's messengers, representing him, as acknowledging his sovereignty over him: ACCORDING TO THY SAYING, I AM THINE, AND ALL THAT I HAVE: which he understood of holding all that he had of him, by giving him homage, and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MESSENGERS CAME AGAIN,.... From Benhadad: AND SAID, THUS SPEAKETH BENHADAD, SAYING, ALTHOUGH I HAVE SENT UNTO THEE, SAYING: at the first message: THOU SHALT DELIVER ME THY SILVER, AND THY GOLD, AND THY WIVES, AND THY CHILDREN; into his possession, and not as Ahab understood it, that he sho... [ Continue Reading ]
YET I WILL SEND MY SERVANTS UNTO THEE TOMORROW ABOUT THIS TIME,.... He gave him twenty four hours to consider of it: AND THEY SHALL SEARCH THINE HOUSE, AND THE HOUSES OF THY SERVANTS; the royal palace, and the houses of the noblemen, and even of every of his subjects in Samaria: AND IT SHALL BE, T... [ Continue Reading ]
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 MISCHI... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE HE SENT UNTO THE MESSENGERS OF BENHADAD,.... Upon the advice the elders had given him, and encouraged thereby, though in a poor sneaking manner after all: TELL MY LORD THE KING, ALL THAT THOU DIDST SEND FOR TO THY SERVANT AT THE FIRST I WILL DO; owning him as his lord, and himself as his... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BENHADAD SENT UNTO HIM, AND SAID,.... That is, to Ahab: THE GODS DO SO UNTO ME, AND MORE ALSO; bring greater evils upon me than I can think or express: IF THE DUST OF SAMARIA SHALL SUFFICE FOR HANDFULS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT FOLLOW ME, signifying that he made no doubt of it of reducing it to... [ Continue Reading ]
Ver. 11 AND THE KING OF ISRAEL ANSWERED AND SAID,.... Very mildly and very wisely: TELL HIM, LET NOT HIM THAT GIRDETH ON HIS HARNESS BOAST HIMSELF AS HE THAT PUTTETH IT OFF; that is, he that prepares for the battle as he that has got the victory; the sense is, let no man triumph before the battle i... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN BENHADAD HEARD THIS MESSAGE (AS HE WAS DRINKING, HE AND THE KINGS IN THE PAVILIONS),.... Though it was at noon, or before, 1 Kings 20:16, which shows that he and they were addicted to intemperance: THAT HE SAID UNTO HIS SERVANTS; some of the principal officers of his army:... [ Continue Reading ]
AND, BEHOLD, THERE CAME A PROPHET UNTO AHAB KING OF ISRAEL,.... Supposed by the Jewish writers to be Micaiah the son of Imlah, 1 Kings 22:9 one of those perhaps that Obadiah hid in the cave, and now is sent out publicly on an errand to Ahab: SAYING, THUS SAITH THE LORD, HAST THOU SEEN ALL THIS GREA... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AHAB SAID, BY WHOM?.... Knowing he had no army with him sufficient to go out with against the Syrian army: AND HE SAID, THUS SAITH THE LORD, EVEN BY THE YOUNG MEN OF THE PRINCES OF THE PROVINCES; either such, as Kimchi thinks, who were brought up with him; or, as others, the sons of governors o... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE NUMBERED THE YOUNG MEN OF THE PRINCES OF THE PROVINCES, AND THEY WERE TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO,.... A very small number to go forth against so great an army as the host of the Syrians, and these raw unexperienced young men: AND AFTER THEM HE NUMBERED ALL THE PEOPLE, EVEN ALL THE CHILDREN... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY WENT OUT AT NOON,.... From Samaria, the two hundred and thirty two young men, and the 7000 Israelites, openly, with great spirit and courage, fearless and undaunted; but it is not said that Ahab went out at the head of them; it seems as if he did not by what is said, 1 Kings 20:21, BUT BEN... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE YOUNG MEN OF THE PRINCES OF THE PROVINCES WENT OUT FIRST,.... From Samaria, before the 7000 did: AND BENHADAD SENT OUT; of his pavilion, a messenger or messengers to his sentinels, to know what news, and how matters stood, whether Ahab had sent any message, signifying his compliance with hi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, WHETHER THEY BE COME OUT FOR PEACE,.... To propose terms of peace: TAKE THEM ALIVE; make them prisoners, which was contrary to the laws of nations: OR WHETHER THEY BE COME OUT FOR WAR, TAKE THEM ALIVE; he made no doubt of their being easily taken; but he would not have them be put to... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THESE YOUNG MEN OF THE PRINCES OF THE PROVINCES CAME OUT OF THE CITY,.... First, as before observed, and marched forwards towards the Syrian camp: AND THE ARMY WHICH FOLLOWED THEM; consisting of 7000 men.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SLEW EVERYONE HIS MAN,.... The Syrian army, or at least a body of men detached from them, met them, opposed them, and fought them, and they slew of them 7232 men; as many as they themselves were: AND THE SYRIANS FLED; not expecting such a rebuff: AND ISRAEL PURSUED THEM; to make some furt... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING OF ISRAEL WENT OUT,.... Of Samaria; when he saw the Syrians fleeing, and his army pursuing, he went forth, perhaps, with more forces, who were now willing to join with him; Josephus c says, Ahab had another army within the walls: AND SMOTE THE HORSES AND CHARIOTS; that is, the men that... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PROPHET CAME TO THE KING OF ISRAEL,.... The same that came to him before: AND SAID UNTO HIM, GO, STRENGTHEN THYSELF; exhorted him to fortify his cities, especially Samaria, and increase his army, that he might be able to oppose the king of Syria: AND MARK, AND SEE WHAT THOU DOEST: observe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SERVANTS OF THE KING OF SYRIA SAID UNTO HIM,.... His ministers of state, his privy counsellors: THEIR GODS ARE GODS OF THE HILLS, THEREFORE THEY WERE STRONGER THAN WE; and beat them in the last battle; this notion they might receive from what they had heard of Jehovah delivering the law on... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DO THIS THING,.... Also take this further piece of advice: TAKE THE KINGS AWAY, EVERY MAN OUT OF HIS PLACE: for being brought up delicately, they were not inured to war, nor expert in the art of it; and being addicted to pleasure, gave themselves to that, and drew the king into it, which they o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NUMBER THEE AN ARMY LIKE THE ARMY THAT THOU HAST LOST,.... Raise an army of an equal number, which they supposed he was able to do: HORSE FOR HORSE AND CHARIOT FOR CHARIOT; as many horses and chariots as he had before: AND WE WILL FIGHT AGAINST THEM IN THE PLAIN; where they could make use of t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THE RETURN OF THE YEAR,.... In the spring, or autumn, as some think, 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, ra... [ Continue Reading ]
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 BE... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE CAME A MAN OF GOD,.... The same as before, 1 Kings 20:13 or had come p 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... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
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,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HIS SERVANTS SAID UNTO HIM,.... Being reduced to the utmost extremity; for if he attempted to go out of the city, he would fall into the hands of the Israelites, and there was no safety in it, the wall of it being fallen down; and it could not be thought he could be concealed long in the chamber... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEY GIRDED SACKCLOTH ON THEIR LOINS, AND PUT ROPES ON THEIR HEADS,.... Signifying they came to surrender themselves to him as his captives and prisoners, and he might do with them as seemed good to him, hang them up if he pleased, for which they brought ropes with them, as a token that they dese... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE MEN DID DILIGENTLY OBSERVE WHETHER ANYTHING WOULD COME FROM HIM,.... That would be a good omen to them, and encourage them to hope for success; they observed him as diligently by his words and behaviour as soothsayers do when they look out for a lucky sign; for the word is sometimes used of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND [BENHADAD] SAID UNTO HIM,.... The word Benhadad is not in the original text, and some, as Osiander and others, have thought they are the words of Ahab last spoken of; which seems most likely, who not only took Benhadad into his chariot, but in his great and superabundant kindness, though the con... [ Continue Reading ]
AND A CERTAIN MAN OF THE SONS OF THE PROPHETS,.... Which the Jews take to be Micaiah, and so Josephus u, 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, SA... [ Continue Reading ]
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,... [ Continue Reading ]
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 fle... [ Continue Reading ]
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 h... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
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 th... [ Continue Reading ]
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 Be... [ Continue Reading ]
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 hi... [ Continue Reading ]