1 Kings 20:25

25 And you must raise an army like the one you have lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight the Israelites on the plain, where we will surely prevail.” And the king approved their plan and acted accordingly.

1 Kings 20:25 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:25

And number thee an army like the army that thou hast lost,
&c.] Raise an army of an equal number, which they supposed he was able to do:

horse for horse and chariot for chariot;
as many horses and chariots as he had before:

and we will fight against them in the plain;
where they could make use of their horses and chariots to greater advantage than on hills and mountains, see ( Judges 1:19 )

and surely we shall be stronger than they;
and beat them:

and he hearkened unto their voice, and did so;
took their counsel, and prepared an army, and placed captains in it instead of kings.

1 Kings 20:25 In-Context

23 Meanwhile, the servants of the king of Aram said to him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they prevailed over us. Instead, we should fight them on the plains; surely then we will prevail.

24 So do this: Dismiss all the kings from their positions and replace them with other officers.

25 And you must raise an army like the one you have lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight the Israelites on the plain, where we will surely prevail.” And the king approved their plan and acted accordingly.

26 In the spring, Ben-hadad mobilized the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.

27 The Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside.