Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:24
And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:
24. Take the kings away ] That is, the thirty and two, whose attendance on the court, and the wassail consequent on their presence, had done much harm to the expedition. We need not suppose that these kings were to be deprived of their power and deposed, though the text would bear that interpretation, but only that they were no longer to take part in the war. Their places were to be supplied by those who had made war their trade, and who would give their attention to the battle and not to revelry.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The Syrian chiefs evidently thought that want of unity had weakened their army. They therefore proposed the deposition of the kings, and the substitution, in their place, of Syrian governors: not captains. The term used always denotes a civil office.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 24. Take the kings away] These were not acquainted with military affairs, or they had not competent skill. Put experienced captains in their place, and fight not but on the plains, and you will be sure of victory.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The kings being of softer education, and less experienced in military matters, were less fit for his service; and being many of them but mercenaries, and therefore less concerned in his good success, would be more negligent and cautious in venturing themselves for his good.
Captains, i.e. experienced soldiers of his own subjects, who will faithfully obey the commands of the general, (to which the kings would not so readily yield,) and use their utmost skill and valour for their own interest and advancement.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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 observed was the case before, though they did not care to mention it; and if they were tributaries or allies, they would not fight as men do for their own country:
and put captains in their rooms; of his own people, men of skill and courage, and who would fight both for their own honour, and for the good of their country.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
24. Put captains in their rooms Officers more skilled in warfare than these kings have shown themselves to be. The vassal kings were probably the first to become panic stricken, and to fly before the youths of Israel.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 20:24 And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:
Ver. 24. Take the kings away. ] As being rather the knights of Venus, than of Bellona; and are better at tossing a pot than a pike.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
captains = governors, or pashas.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Take the: 1Ki 20:1, 1Ki 20:16, 1Ki 22:31, Pro 21:30
Reciprocal: 1Ch 19:9 – the kings
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 20:24. Do this take the kings away, &c. He had made the thirty- two kings, who were his tributaries, chief commanders in his former army; which his counsellors represent to him as a great error, and therefore advise him to displace them, and put his own captains in their stead, who would fight better. The kings, they thought, had had a softer education; and, being less inured to hardships, and less experienced in military matters, were less fit for service: besides, being many of them mercenaries, and therefore less concerned in his good success, they judged they would be more cautious in venturing themselves, and risking their lives in his cause, and not so obedient to discipline, as captains from his own subjects would be. These latter, they supposed, would faithfully obey the commands of their general, to whom the kings would not readily yield, and would use their utmost skill and valour for their own interest and advancement.