1 Kings 20:26

26 And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.

1 Kings 20:26 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:26

And it came to pass at the return of the year
In the spring, or autumn, as some think, (See Gill on 2 Samuel 11:1)

that Benhadad numbered the Syrians;
took a muster of his army, to see if he had got the number he had before:

and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel;
not that in Judah, ( Joshua 15:53 ) , rather that in Asher, ( Joshua 19:30 ) , but it seems to be that which Adrichomius ^F12 places in Issachar, near to the famous camp of Esdraelon, or valley of Jezreel, where it is probable the king of Syria intended to have fought; the battle; and some travellers, as he observes, say ^F13, the ruins of that city are still shown in that great camp or plain, not far from Gilboa, to the east of Mount Carmel, and five miles from Tabor; according to Bunting ^F14, it was fourteen miles from Samaria; but it may be Aphaca near Mount Lebanon, and the river Adonis ^F15, is meant.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Theatrum Terrae Sanct. p. 35.
F13 Brocard. & Breidenbach. in ib.
F14 Travels p. 164.
F15 Vid. Sozomen. Hist. l. 2. c. 5.

1 Kings 20:26 In-Context

24 And do this thing: Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their places.

25 And number thee an army like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse and chariot for chariot; and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they." And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.

26 And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.

27 And the children of Israel were numbered and were all present, and went against them; and the children of Israel pitched camp before them like two little flocks of kids, but the Syrians filled the country.

28 And there came a man of God, and spoke unto the king of Israel and said, "Thus saith the LORD: `Because the Syrians have said, "The LORD is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys," therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.'"