1 Kings 20:22

22 After that, the prophet came to the king of Israel again. He said, "Make your position stronger. Do what needs to be done. Next spring the king of Aram will attack you again."

1 Kings 20:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:22

And the prophet came to the king of Israel
The same that came to him before:

and said unto him, go, strengthen thyself;
exhorted him to fortify his cities, especially Samaria, and increase his army, that he might be able to oppose the king of Syria:

and mark, and see what thou doest:
observe his moral and religious actions, and take heed that he did not offend the Lord by them, as well as make military preparations:

for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against
thee;
about the same time in the next year, at the spring of the year, when kings go out to war, see ( 2 Samuel 11:1 ) .

1 Kings 20:22 In-Context

20 Each man struck down the one who was fighting against him. When that happened, the army of Aram ran away. The men of Israel chased them. But Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, escaped on a horse. Some of his horsemen escaped with him.

21 The king of Israel attacked them. He overpowered the horses and chariots. Large numbers of the men of Aram were wounded or killed.

22 After that, the prophet came to the king of Israel again. He said, "Make your position stronger. Do what needs to be done. Next spring the king of Aram will attack you again."

23 During that time, the officials of the king of Aram gave him advice. They said, "The gods of Israel are gods of the hills. That's why they were too strong for us. But suppose we fight them on the flatlands. Then we'll certainly be stronger than they are.

24 "Here's what you should do. Don't let any of the kings continue as military leaders. Have other officers take their places.