ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Kings 20

1 Kings 20:1–43 After Elijah’s recruitment of Elisha, one expects to read of his anointing of Hazael as king over Syria and of Jehu as king over Israel (compare 19:15–18). Instead, one finds a different prophet appearing (20:13) and a different king of Syria (Ben-hadad) losing a war with Ahab. The message of ch. 19 is thus illustrated: Elijah is not the only remaining servant of God (see 19:10, 14); and, the Lord will bring about in his own good time the events spoken of in 19:17.

1 Kings 20:2–9 Your silver and your gold are mine (v. 3). The king of Syria (Ben-hadad) tries to force Israel to serve him. Ahab accepts these terms at first (v. 4). Later he changes his mind (vv. 5–9) when a revision (v. 6) apparently makes the terms more extensive (whatever pleases you), intrusive (search your house), and immediate (tomorrow).

1 Kings 20:11 Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off. It is unwise to boast about one’s exploits before the battle has even begun; there is time enough for boasting when the battle is won.

1 Kings 20:14–18 Israel is to fight according to a divine battle plan that does not make much human sense (as in the case of Gideon in Judges 7). The servants, young men unschooled in military matters, are to initiate the battle. The plan benefits from Ben-hadad’s being drunk as the Israelites approach (1 Kings 20:16). He is seemingly incapable of giving instructions (v. 18).

1 Kings 20:22–25 strengthen yourself. Both sides prepare for a continuation of warfare in the following spring, a common time for kings to go to war (compare 2 Sam. 11:1). The Syrians plan next time to fight the Israelites in the plain (1 Kings 20:23), where horse and chariot will give them an advantage that they wouldn’t have in the hills. But they fail to realize that the Lord is the only real God, and he can give victory to his people anywhere he chooses (ch. 17).

1 Kings 20:26 Aphek. The second battle is considerably farther north than the first (see Josh. 19:30), which took place near Samaria (1 Kings 20:1).

1 Kings 20:28 god of the hills . . . not a god of the valleys. God will prove that the Syrians’ notions about him are false.

1 Kings 20:31 Sackcloth signifies repentance (compare 21:27), and ropes signify submissiveness (prisoners may be led by them).

1 Kings 20:34 cities . . . bazaars. The Israelite cities previously taken by the Syrians are returned. Ahab is given trading privileges in Damascus.

1 Kings 20:35 sons of the prophets. Prophets who lived in communities together (see note on 2 Kings 2:3).

1 Kings 20:36 a lion shall strike you down. Even prophets must obey God’s word. See ch. 13, where the same point is made and the same punishment is pronounced. If disobedient prophets cannot escape God’s judgment, then disobedient kings certainly will not.

1 Kings 20:39–42 Your servant went out into the midst of the battle. In circumstances similar to 2 Sam. 12:1–4, the prophet tricks the king into pronouncing judgment on himself. Disguising himself as a soldier, the prophet tells a story implying that, because he failed in his guard duties, he is liable to pay a fine of a talent of silver (an impossible amount for an ordinary soldier to raise) or suffer death. Ahab agrees that the death sentence is just. Thus he provides the prophet with the opportunity to condemn Ahab because the king has released an enemy king whom God had devoted to destruction (compare 1 Sam. 15:17–24). For “devoted to destruction,” see note on Deut. 20:16–18.