1 Kings 20:20

20 They hit hard in hand-to-hand combat. The Arameans scattered from the field, with Israel hard on their heels. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram got away on horseback, along with his cavalry.

1 Kings 20:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:20

And they slew everyone his man
The Syrian army, or at least a body of men detached from them, met them, opposed them, and fought them, and they slew of them 7232 men; as many as they themselves were:

and the Syrians fled;
not expecting such a rebuff:

and Israel pursued them;
to make some further advantage of their victory:

and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse, with the horsemen;
with two couple of horsemen, as the Targum; with these to guard him he galloped away as fast as he could for his life.

1 Kings 20:20 In-Context

18 He said, "If they've come in peace, take them alive as hostages; if they've come to fight, the same - take them alive as hostages."

19 The commandos poured out of the city with the full army behind them.

20 They hit hard in hand-to-hand combat. The Arameans scattered from the field, with Israel hard on their heels. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram got away on horseback, along with his cavalry.

21 The king of Israel cut down both horses and chariots - an enormous defeat for Aram.

22 Sometime later the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, "On the alert now - build up your army, assess your capabilities, and see what has to be done. Before the year is out, the king of Aram will be back in force."