Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:20
And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with the horsemen.
20. on a horse with the horsemen ] The distinction usually drawn between the two Hebrew nouns in this expression is that the first word describes a chariot horse, the second a horse for riding. If this be so (and there seems good ground for the distinction) the king of Syria fled away in such haste that he did not get a proper riding-horse for himself, but took a carriage-horse and on that made his escape among the mounted troops.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 20. The Syrians fled] They were doubtless panic-struck.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They slew every one his man, i.e. him who came to fight with him, or to seize upon him, as Ben-hadad had commanded.
The Syrians fled; being amazed at the unexpected and undaunted courage of the Israelites, and being struck with a Divine terror.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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 further advantage of their victory:
and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse, with the horsemen; with two couple of horsemen, as the Targum; with these to guard him he galloped away as fast as he could for his life.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) And they slew . . .The attack of this handful of men, supported by a sally of the whole garrison, is not unlike the slaughter of the Philistine garrison and host in the days of Saul (1 Samuel 14), or the still earlier rout of the army of Midian by the night attack of Gideon (Jdg. 7:16-23). Probably, as in these cases, the Israelites may have risen from various lurking-places to join in the pursuit and slaughter. It does not necessarily follow that the event was miraculous. Such dispersions of vast Oriental armies are not uncommon in history. The lesson is that drawn with noble simplicity by Jonathan: There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few (1Sa. 14:6).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
1Ki 20:20 And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen.
Ver. 20. And the Syrians fled and Benhadad escaped on a horse.] So that it might now have been well said unto him, as once Zebul said unto Gaal. Jdg 9:38 Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou boastest so great things. 1Ki 20:10 Is not this the people that thou hast despised? Go out, I pray now, and fight with them. But it is well observed, that those who vaunt most, have oft the least courage: as those creatures who have the greatest hearts of flesh, are the most timorous; as the stag, panther, hare, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
they slew: 2Sa 2:16, Ecc 9:11
the Syrians: Lev 26:8, Jdg 7:20-22, 1Sa 14:13-15, 2Ki 7:6, 2Ki 7:7, Psa 33:16, Psa 46:6
escaped: 1Sa 30:16, 1Sa 30:17, 2Ki 19:36
Reciprocal: 1Ki 20:30 – fled Jer 41:15 – escaped
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 20:20-21. They slew every one his man Who came to apprehend him. And the Syrians fled Amazed at the undaunted and unexpected courage of the Israelites, and struck with a divine terror. And Ben-hadad escaped on a horse That proud boaster durst not face them; but mounted immediately, drunk as he was, and made the best of his way to escape. And the king of Israel went out Proceeded further in his pursuit of them. And smote the horses and chariots The men that fought in them. And slew the Syrians with great slaughter Improving this advantage to the utmost. Thus ended Ben-hadads proud boastings; and thus does God often make one wicked man a scourge to another!
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
20:20 And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the {i} horsemen.
(i) They who were appointed for the preservation of his person.