I Kings 20
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ben-hadad - Several MSS., and some early printed editions, have Ben-hadar, or the son of Hadar, as the Septuagint. He is supposed to be the same whom Asa stirred up against the king of Israel, Kg1 15:18; or, as others, his son or grandson. Thirty and two kings - Tributary chieftains of Syria and the adjacent countries. In former times every town and city had its independent chieftain. Both the Septuagint and Josephus place this war after the history of Naboth.
Open source ↗BEN-HADAD BESIEGES SAMARIA. (Kg1 20:1-12) Ben-hadad the king of Syria--This monarch was the son of that Ben-hadad who, in the reign of Baasha, made a raid on the northern towns of Galilee (Kg1 15:20). The thirty-two kings that were confederate with him were probably tributary princes. The ancient kings of Syria and PhÅ“nicia ruled only over a single city, and were independent of each other, except when one great city, as Damascus, acquired the ascendency, and even then they were allied only in time of war. The Syrian army encamped at the gates and besieged the town of Samaria.
Open source ↗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, Kg1 15:18. and there were thirty and two kings with him; these were heads of families, so called, and at most governors of cities under Benhadad; petty princes, such as were in the land of Canaan in Joshua's time: and horses and chariots; how many is not said: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it; he went up with such an intent, but had not as yet done it in form; what moved him to it cannot be said precisely, whether an ambitious view of enlarging his dominions, or because the king of Israel paid not the tribute his father had imposed upon him, see Kg1 20:34, however, so it was, through the providence of God, as a scourge to Ahab for his impiety.
Open source ↗The First Victory. - Kg1 20:1. Benhadad, the son of that Benhadad who had conquered several cities of Galilee in the reign of Baasha (Kg1 15:20), came up with a great army - there were thirty-two kings with him, with horses and chariots - and besieged Samaria. The thirty-two kings with him (אתּו) were vassals of Benhadad, rulers of different cities and the territory belonging to them, just as in Joshua's time almost every city of Canaan had its king; they were therefore bound to follow the army of Benhadad with their troops. Kg1 20:2-7 During the siege Benhadad sent messengers into the city to Ahab with this demand: "Thy silver and thy gold are mine, and the best of thy wives and thy sons are mine;" and Ahab answered with pusillanimity: "According to thy word, my lord king, I and all that is mine are thine." Benhadad was made still more audacious by this submissiveness, and sent messengers the second time with the following notice (Kg1 20:6): "Yea, if I send my servants to thee to-morrow at this time, and they search thy house and thy servants' houses, all that is the pleasure of thine eyes they will put into their hands and take." אם כּי does not mean "only = certainly" here (Ewald, 356, b.), for there is neither a negative clause nor an oath, but אם signifies if and כּי introduces the statement, as in Kg1 20:5; so that it is only in the repetition of the כּי that the emphasis lies, which can be expressed by yea. The words of Ahab in Kg1 20:9 show unquestionably that Benhadad demanded more the second time than the first. The words of the first demand, "Thy silver and thy gold," etc., were ambiguous. According to Kg1 20:5, Benhadad meant that Ahab should give him all this; and Ahab had probably understood him as meaning that he was to give him what he required, in order…
Open source ↗Here is, I. The threatening descent which Ben-hadad made upon Ahab's kingdom, and the siege he laid to Samaria, his royal city, Kg1 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 (Kg1 15:18-20), and now they did it of their own accord. It is dangerous bringing a foreign force into the country: posterity may pay dearly for it. Ben-hadad had with him thirty-two kings, who were either tributaries to him, and bound in duty to attend him, or confederates with him, and bound in interest to assist him. How little did the title of king look when all these poor petty governors pretended to it! II. The treaty between these two kings. Surely Israel's defence had departed from them, or else the Syrians could not have marched so readily, and with so little opposition, to Samaria, the head and heart of the country, a city lately built, and therefore, we may suppose, not well fortified, but likely to fall quickly into the hands of the invaders; both sides are aware of this, and therefore, 1. Ben-hadad's proud spirit sends Ahab a very insolent demand, Kg1 20:2, Kg1 20:3. A parley is sounded, and a trumpeter (we may suppose) is sent into the city, to let Ahab know that he will raise the siege upon condition that Ahab become his vassal (Nay, his villain), and not only pay him a tribute out of what he has, but make over his title to Ben-hadad, and hold all at his will, even his wives and children, the godliest of them. The manner of expression is designed to gall them; "All shall be mine, withou…
Open source ↗20:1 Whether this is Ben-hadad I or II is unclear. • thirty-two allied kings: Confederations of kings were common in the ancient Near East. Shalmaneser III recorded Ben-hadad’s name as Hadad-ezer and reported that he was part of a twelve-king coalition that opposed him in the Battle of Qarqar (853 BC).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בֶּן־הֲדַד (Ben-Hădad, H1130) — Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… צוּר (tsûwr, H6696) — to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or… שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֶּן־הֲדַד (Ben-Hădad, H1130) — Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings
Open source ↗כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֶּן־הֲדַד (Ben-Hădad, H1130) — Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant מָחָר (mâchâr, H4279) — properly, deferred, i.e. the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely,… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. חָפַשׂ (châphas, H2664) — to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e. let be sought), or mask בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or… מַחְמָד (machmâd, H4261) — delightful; hence, a delight, i.e. object of affection or desire עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Open source ↗זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אָבָה (ʼâbâh, H14) — to breathe after, i.e. (figuratively) to be acquiescent
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) בֶּן־הֲדַד (Ben-Hădad, H1130) — Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗בֶּן־הֲדַד (Ben-Hădad, H1130) — Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine סָפַק (çâphaq, H5606) — to clap the hands (in token of compact, derision, grief, indignation, or punishment); by… שֹׁעַל (shôʻal, H8168) — the palm; by extension, a handful עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… חָגַר (châgar, H2296) — to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.) הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king סֻכָּה (çukkâh, H5521) — a hut or lair אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So Asa withdrew all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace. He entrusted it to his servants and sent them with this message to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus:
Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”
And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and the whole land of Naphtali, including the region of Chinnereth.
You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory.
They will besiege all the cities throughout your land, until the high and fortified walls in which you trust have fallen. They will besiege all your cities throughout the land that the LORD your God has given you.
When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.
Artaxerxes, king of kings. To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.
So do this: Dismiss all the kings from their positions and replace them with other officers.
“Are not all my commanders kings?” he says.
So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad.