Bible Commentary

And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive. 18. take them alive ] Whatever their mission might be Ben-hadad had no doubt that his followers could surround them and capture them without fighting. They could have no difficulty in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:18”

And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria. 17. and Ben-hadad sent out ] Even in his drunken revelry he is made aware that something unexpected is taking place, and he sends to know … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:17”

And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad [was] drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him. 16. they went out at noon ] They had probably learnt that the royal banquet was in progress, and the moment would appear a favourable one. When the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:16”

Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, [even] all the children of Israel, [being] seven thousand. 15. Then he numbered [R.V. mustered ] the young men ] The verb occurs several times in this … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:15”

And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, [Even] by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou. 14. the young men of the princes of the provinces ] The LXX. gives , ‘sons of the leaders’, and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:14”

And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD. 13 21. God by a prophet promises the victory to Ahab. The Syrians … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:13”

And it came to pass, when [Ben-hadad] heard this message, as he [was] drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set [yourselves in array]. And they set [themselves in array] against the city. 12. as he was drinking ] Ben-hadad was clearly full of confidence, and was giving … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:12”

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell [him], Let not him that girdeth on [his harness] boast himself as he that putteth it off. 11. Tell him, &c.] For this the LXX. gives “Let it suffice: let not the crooked boast himself as the straight.” The latter portion is an attempt (but not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:11”

And Ben-hadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me. 10. if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me ] i.e. I will bring such … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:10”

Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Ben-hadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again. 9. Tell my lord the king ] The LXX. says ‘your … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 20:9”