1 Kings 20:1-8

1 King Ben-hadad of Aram gathered all his army together; thirty-two kings were with him, along with horses and chariots. He marched against Samaria, laid siege to it, and attacked it.

2 Then he sent messengers into the city to King Ahab of Israel, and said to him: "Thus says Ben-hadad:

3 Your silver and gold are mine; your fairest wives and children also are mine."

4 The king of Israel answered, "As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have."

5 The messengers came again and said: "Thus says Ben-hadad: I sent to you, saying, "Deliver to me your silver and gold, your wives and children';

6 nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants, and lay hands on whatever pleases them, and take it away."

7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, "Look now! See how this man is seeking trouble; for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not refuse him."

8 Then all the elders and all the people said to him, "Do not listen or consent."

1 Kings 20:1-8 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk Syr Vg: Heb [you]