1 Kings 20:1-7

War with Aram

1 Now 1Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army, 2and there were thirty-two * kings with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and 3besieged * Samaria and fought against it.
2 Then he sent messengers to the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, "Thus says Ben-hadad,
3 'Your silver and your gold are mine; your most beautiful wives and children are also mine.' "
4 The king of Israel replied, "It is according to your word, my lord, O king; I am yours, and all that I have."
5 Then the messengers returned and said, "Thus says Ben-hadad, 'Surely, I sent to you saying, "You shall give me your silver and your gold and your wives and your children,"
6 but about this time tomorrow I will send my servants to you, and they will search your house and the houses of your servants; and whatever is desirable in your eyes, they will take in their hand and carry away.' "
7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, "Please observe and 4see how this man is looking for trouble; for he sent to me for my wives and my children and my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him."

1 Kings 20:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

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, 1Ki 20:1-12, the sally made out upon him, at the direction of the prophet, and the route made of the Syrian army, 1Ki 20:13-21, the return of the Syrian army the next year, when there was a pitched battle between them and Israel, in which the former were entirely defeated, 1Ki 20:22-30, the peace Ahab made with the king of Syria, 1Ki 20:31-34, and the reproof one of the sons of the prophets gave him for it, which made him very uneasy, 1Ki 20:35-43.

Cross References 4

  • 1. 1 Kings 15:18, 20; 2 Kings 6:24
  • 2. 1 Kings 22:31
  • 3. 1 Kings 16:24; 2 Kings 6:24
  • 4. 2 Kings 5:7

Footnotes 3

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