Thematic Bible
1 Kings 20:1 (show verse)
Ben-hadad king of Aram (Syria) gathered all his army together; thirty-two kings were [allied] with him, with horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria [Israel’s capital], and fought against it.
Armies » Of different nations often confederated
Chariot » For war
Chariots » Used in war by the » Syrians
Confederacies » Instances of » Of kings
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Samaria » City of
ancient Samaria » Samaria the capital of » Besieged by ben-hadad
Siege » Instances of » Samaria
Sieges » Mentioned in scripture » Samaria
Syria » Benhadad king of, besieged samaria
Chariot » For war
Chariots » Used in war by the » Syrians
Confederacies » Instances of » Of kings
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Samaria » City of
ancient Samaria » Samaria the capital of » Besieged by ben-hadad
Siege » Instances of » Samaria
Sieges » Mentioned in scripture » Samaria
Syria » Benhadad king of, besieged samaria
1 Kings 20:2 (show verse)
Then he sent messengers to the city to Ahab king of Israel; and he said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad:
Ahab » General references to
Ambassadors » Benhadad to ahab
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
ancient Samaria » Samaria the capital of » Besieged by ben-hadad
Sieges » Those engaged in » Called upon the city to surrender
Syria » Benhadad king of, besieged samaria
The Nation » Imprisonment mutilations » Ambassadors
Ambassadors » Benhadad to ahab
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
ancient Samaria » Samaria the capital of » Besieged by ben-hadad
Sieges » Those engaged in » Called upon the city to surrender
Syria » Benhadad king of, besieged samaria
The Nation » Imprisonment mutilations » Ambassadors
1 Kings 20:3 (show verse)
‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your wives and your children, even the fairest, also are mine [as conditions of peace].’”
1 Kings 20:4 (show verse)
The king of Israel [conceded his defeat and] answered, “By your word, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have.”
1 Kings 20:5 (show verse)
The messengers returned and said, “Thus says Ben-hadad: ‘I indeed sent word to you, saying, “You shall give me your silver, your gold, your wives, and your children,”
1 Kings 20:6 (show verse)
but about this time tomorrow I will send my servants to you, and they will search your house and the houses of your servants; and they will take with their hands (confiscate) whatever is desirable in your eyes and carry it away.’”
1 Kings 20:7 (show verse)
Then the king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said, “Please observe and see how this man is seeking our destruction. For he sent messengers to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, and I did not refuse him.”
1 Kings 20:8 (show verse)
All the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent [to this additional demand].”
1 Kings 20:9 (show verse)
So he said to Ben-hadad’s messengers, “Tell my lord the king, ‘Every demand you first sent to your servant I will do, but I cannot do this [additional] thing [as a condition of peace].’” And the messengers left; then they brought him word again.
1 Kings 20:10 (show verse)
Ben-hadad sent word to him and said, “May the gods do so to me, and more also, if there is enough dust left of Samaria for handfuls for all the [armed] people who follow me.”
1 Kings 20:11 (show verse)
The king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘A man who puts on [his armor to go to battle] should not boast like the man who takes it off [after the battle has been won].’”
1 Kings 20:12 (show verse)
When Ben-hadad heard this message, as he and the kings were drinking in the temporary shelters, he said to his servants, “Station yourselves.” So they stationed themselves against the city [of Samaria].
1 Kings 20:13 (show verse)
Then a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Have you seen all this great army? Behold, I will hand them over to you, and you shall know [without any doubt] that I am the Lord.’”
1 Kings 20:14 (show verse)
Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘By the young men [the attendants or bodyguards] of the governors of the districts.’” Then Ahab said, “Who shall begin the battle?” And he answered, “You.”
1 Kings 20:15 (show verse)
Then Ahab assembled and counted the young men of the governors of the districts, and there were 232. After them he assembled and counted all the people, all the sons of Israel, 7,000.
Armies » Enumeration of israel's military forces
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
ancient Samaria » Samaria the capital of » Deliverance of, effected
Syria » The israelites » Under ahab encouraged and assisted by God, overcame
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
ancient Samaria » Samaria the capital of » Deliverance of, effected
Syria » The israelites » Under ahab encouraged and assisted by God, overcame
1 Kings 20:16 (show verse)
They went out at noon, while Ben-hadad was getting drunk in the temporary shelters, he and the thirty-two kings who were helping him.
Drunkenness » Examples of » benhadad
Drunkenness » Exemplified » benhadad
Drunkenness » Instances of » Ben-hadad and his thirty-two confederate kings
Intemperance » Examples of » benhadad
Intoxication » Examples of » benhadad
King » benhadad
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
ancient Samaria » Samaria the capital of » Deliverance of, effected
Syria » The israelites » Under ahab encouraged and assisted by God, overcame
Temperance » Drunkards examples of » benhadad
Drunkenness » Exemplified » benhadad
Drunkenness » Instances of » Ben-hadad and his thirty-two confederate kings
Intemperance » Examples of » benhadad
Intoxication » Examples of » benhadad
King » benhadad
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
ancient Samaria » Samaria the capital of » Deliverance of, effected
Syria » The israelites » Under ahab encouraged and assisted by God, overcame
Temperance » Drunkards examples of » benhadad
1 Kings 20:17 (show verse)
The young men of the governors of the districts went out first; and Ben-hadad sent men out and they told him, saying, “Men have come out of Samaria.”
1 Kings 20:18 (show verse)
And he said, “Whether they have come out for peace or for war, take them alive.”
1 Kings 20:19 (show verse)
So these young men of the governors of the districts went out of the city, and the army followed them.
1 Kings 20:20 (show verse)
And each one killed his man; and the Arameans (Syrians) fled and Israel pursued them. Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on a horse with horsemen.
1 Kings 20:21 (show verse)
The king of Israel went out and struck [the riders of] the horses and chariots, and killed the Arameans in a great slaughter.
1 Kings 20:22 (show verse)
Then the prophet approached the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself and observe and see what you have to do; for at the first of next year the king of Aram (Syria) will come up against you.”
1 Kings 20:23 (show verse)
Now the servants of the king of Aram said to him, “Israel’s god is a god of the hills; that is why they were stronger than we. But let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we will be stronger than they.
Chariots » For war » Advantageously mansuvred in a flat country
Idolatry » Led the heathen to consider their gods to have but a local influence
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Superstition » Instances of » The belief of the syrians concerning the help of the gods
Syria » Inhabitants of » A warlike people
Syria » The israelites » Forewarned of invasion by, at the return of the year
Valleys » The heathen supposed that certain deities presided over
Idolatry » Led the heathen to consider their gods to have but a local influence
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Superstition » Instances of » The belief of the syrians concerning the help of the gods
Syria » Inhabitants of » A warlike people
Syria » The israelites » Forewarned of invasion by, at the return of the year
Valleys » The heathen supposed that certain deities presided over
1 Kings 20:24 (show verse)
Do this: remove the [thirty-two allied] kings, each from his place, and put captains in their place,
1 Kings 20:25 (show verse)
and assemble an army like the army that you have lost in battle, horse for horse and chariot for chariot. Then we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.” And he listened to their words and did so.
Chariot » For war
Chariots » For war » Advantageously mansuvred in a flat country
Chariots » For war » Formed part of the line of battle
Chariots » Carriages used in war
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Syria » Inhabitants of » A warlike people
Syria » The israelites » Forewarned of invasion by, at the return of the year
Chariots » For war » Advantageously mansuvred in a flat country
Chariots » For war » Formed part of the line of battle
Chariots » Carriages used in war
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Syria » Inhabitants of » A warlike people
Syria » The israelites » Forewarned of invasion by, at the return of the year
1 Kings 20:26 (show verse)
At the first of the year [in spring], Ben-hadad assembled and counted the Arameans (Syrians) and went up to Aphek [east of the Sea of Galilee] to fight against Israel.
1 Kings 20:27 (show verse)
The sons of Israel were counted and given provisions, and they went to meet them. The Israelites camped before the enemy like two little flocks of goats [with everything against them, except God], and the Arameans filled the country.
Aphek » A city between » Between » Damascus » And palestine
benhadad » Defeated at » Aphek
Goat » The young of » Kept in small flocks
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Self-delusion » Exemplified » Ahab
Syria » The israelites » Insignificant before
Worldly » Host » A great host » Against
benhadad » Defeated at » Aphek
Goat » The young of » Kept in small flocks
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Self-delusion » Exemplified » Ahab
Syria » The israelites » Insignificant before
Worldly » Host » A great host » Against
1 Kings 20:28 (show verse)
A man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Arameans have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills, but He is not a god of the valleys,” I will give this great army into your hand, and you shall know [by experience] that I am the Lord.’”
Aphek » A city between » Between » Damascus » And palestine
benhadad » Defeated at » Aphek
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Syria » The israelites » Encouraged and assisted by God overcame, a second time
Valleys » The heathen supposed that certain deities presided over
benhadad » Defeated at » Aphek
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Syria » The israelites » Encouraged and assisted by God overcame, a second time
Valleys » The heathen supposed that certain deities presided over
1 Kings 20:29 (show verse)
So they camped opposite each other for seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle began, and the sons of Israel killed 100,000 of the Aramean foot soldiers in a single day.
Aphek » A city between » Between » Damascus » And palestine
benhadad » Defeated at » Aphek
Fasting » Instances of » Of ahab, when elijah prophesied the destruction of himself and his house
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Syria » The israelites » Encouraged and assisted by God overcame, a second time
benhadad » Defeated at » Aphek
Fasting » Instances of » Of ahab, when elijah prophesied the destruction of himself and his house
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Syria » The israelites » Encouraged and assisted by God overcame, a second time
1 Kings 20:30 (show verse)
But the rest ran to the city of Aphek, and the [city] wall fell on 27,000 of the men who were left. Ben-hadad escaped and came into the city, going into an inner chamber [to hide].
Aphek » A city between » Between » Damascus » And palestine
benhadad » Defeated at » Aphek
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Syria » The israelites » Encouraged and assisted by God overcame, a second time
Walls » Of cities » The falling of, sometimes occasioned great destruction
benhadad » Defeated at » Aphek
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » Destruction of ben-hadad's army
Syria » The israelites » Encouraged and assisted by God overcame, a second time
Walls » Of cities » The falling of, sometimes occasioned great destruction
1 Kings 20:31 (show verse)
But his servants said to him, “We have heard that the kings of the house (royal line) of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth around our loins and ropes on our necks [as symbols of submission], and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life.”
Cord » Symbolical uses of » Token in mourning
Cord » Ancient uses of » Worn on the head as a sign of submission
Diplomacy » Instances of » Ambassadors from ben-hadad to ahab
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Rope » Worn » Head » servitude
Sackcloth » A symbol of mourning
Sackcloth » Was worn » Girt about the loins
Sackcloth » Was worn » Often with ropes on the head
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Cord » Ancient uses of » Worn on the head as a sign of submission
Diplomacy » Instances of » Ambassadors from ben-hadad to ahab
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Rope » Worn » Head » servitude
Sackcloth » A symbol of mourning
Sackcloth » Was worn » Girt about the loins
Sackcloth » Was worn » Often with ropes on the head
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
1 Kings 20:32 (show verse)
So they put sackcloth around their loins and ropes on their necks, and came to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” And Ahab asked, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”
Cord » Symbolical uses of » Token in mourning
Diplomacy » Instances of » Ambassadors from ben-hadad to ahab
Kindness » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Magnanimity » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Rope » Worn » Head » servitude
Sackcloth » A symbol of mourning
Servants » The term often used to express humility
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Diplomacy » Instances of » Ambassadors from ben-hadad to ahab
Kindness » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Magnanimity » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Rope » Worn » Head » servitude
Sackcloth » A symbol of mourning
Servants » The term often used to express humility
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
1 Kings 20:33 (show verse)
Now the men took it as a good omen, and quickly understanding his meaning said, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad lives.” Then the king said, “Go, bring him.” Then Ben-hadad came out to him, and Ahab had him come up into the chariot.
Brother » Signifies » A companion
Cord » Symbolical uses of » Token in mourning
Diplomacy » Instances of » Ambassadors from ben-hadad to ahab
Kindness » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Magnanimity » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Cord » Symbolical uses of » Token in mourning
Diplomacy » Instances of » Ambassadors from ben-hadad to ahab
Kindness » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Magnanimity » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
1 Kings 20:34 (show verse)
Ben-hadad [tempting him] said to him, “I will restore the cities which my father took from your father; and you may set up bazaars (shops) of your own in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” Then, Ahab replied, “I will let you go with this covenant (treaty).” So he made a covenant with him and let him go.
Covenant » Between men
Covenant » Instances of » Ahab with benhadad
Covenants » Between men
Damascus » Capital of syria
Diplomacy » Instances of » Ambassadors from ben-hadad to ahab
Kindness » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Magnanimity » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Omri » King of israel » Surrendered cities to king of syria
Restitution » Examples of
Self-delusion » Exemplified » Ahab
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Treaty » Ceding of the territory by
Covenant » Instances of » Ahab with benhadad
Covenants » Between men
Damascus » Capital of syria
Diplomacy » Instances of » Ambassadors from ben-hadad to ahab
Kindness » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Magnanimity » Instances of » Ahab to ben-hadad
Omri » King of israel » Surrendered cities to king of syria
Restitution » Examples of
Self-delusion » Exemplified » Ahab
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Treaty » Ceding of the territory by
1 Kings 20:35 (show verse)
Now a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to another by the word of the Lord, “Please strike me.” But the man refused to strike him.
Disobedience to God » Instances of » Of a man of israel, who refused to strike the prophet
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Leaders » FALSE » Incognito
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The death of a man who refused to strike a prophet
Prophets » Names of persons spoken of as » Incognito
Prophets » Schools of
Religious » FALSE » Incognito
Students » In the schools of the prophets
Symbols and similitudes » Wounding
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Leaders » FALSE » Incognito
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The death of a man who refused to strike a prophet
Prophets » Names of persons spoken of as » Incognito
Prophets » Schools of
Religious » FALSE » Incognito
Students » In the schools of the prophets
Symbols and similitudes » Wounding
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
1 Kings 20:36 (show verse)
Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he left him, a lion found him and killed him.
Disobedience to God » Instances of » Of a man of israel, who refused to strike the prophet
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Lions » An unnamed person killed by
Lions » Attacks and destroys men
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The death of a man who refused to strike a prophet
Symbols and similitudes » Wounding
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Lions » An unnamed person killed by
Lions » Attacks and destroys men
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The death of a man who refused to strike a prophet
Symbols and similitudes » Wounding
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
1 Kings 20:37 (show verse)
Then the prophet found another man and said, “Please strike me.” So the man struck him hard, wounding him.
1 Kings 20:38 (show verse)
So the prophet left and waited for King Ahab by the road, and disguised himself [as a wounded soldier] with a bandage over his eyes.
1 Kings 20:39 (show verse)
As the king passed by, the prophet called out to the king and said, “Your servant went out into the middle of the battle, and behold, a man turned aside and brought a man to me and said, ‘Guard this man; if for any reason he is missing, then your life shall be required for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver.’
Business » Cares » Neglect of duty
Business life » Business Cares Result in » Neglect of duty
Care » Business Cares Result in » Neglect of duty
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Parables » Of the old testament » Of a prophet
Parables » Of the prisoner of war
Self-condemnation » Instances of » Ahab
Symbols and similitudes » Wounding
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Truth » Illustrated in parables of the old testament » Of a prophet
Business life » Business Cares Result in » Neglect of duty
Care » Business Cares Result in » Neglect of duty
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Parables » Of the old testament » Of a prophet
Parables » Of the prisoner of war
Self-condemnation » Instances of » Ahab
Symbols and similitudes » Wounding
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Truth » Illustrated in parables of the old testament » Of a prophet
1 Kings 20:40 (show verse)
But while your servant was busy here and there, he [escaped and] was gone.” And the king of Israel said to him, “Such is your own judgment (verdict); you have determined it.”
Business » Cares » Neglect of duty
Business life » Business Cares Result in » Neglect of duty
Care » Business Cares Result in » Neglect of duty
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Parables » Of the prisoner of war
Self-condemnation » Instances of » Ahab
Symbols and similitudes » Wounding
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Business life » Business Cares Result in » Neglect of duty
Care » Business Cares Result in » Neglect of duty
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Parables » Of the prisoner of war
Self-condemnation » Instances of » Ahab
Symbols and similitudes » Wounding
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
1 Kings 20:41 (show verse)
Then the prophet quickly removed the bandage from his eyes, and [Ahab] the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.
1 Kings 20:42 (show verse)
He said to the king, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because you have released from your hand the man [Ben-hadad] whom I had devoted to destruction, your life shall be required for his life, and your people for his people.’”
Ahab » King of israel » Prophecies against
Disobedience to God » Instances of » Of ahab, in suffering the king of assyria to escape out of his hands
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The death of ahab
Self-condemnation » Instances of » Ahab
Substitution » The life of ahab in exchange for that of ben-hadad
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Will » The mental faculty » Freedom of, recognized by God
Disobedience to God » Instances of » Of ahab, in suffering the king of assyria to escape out of his hands
Kings » Who reigned over israel » Ahab
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The death of ahab
Self-condemnation » Instances of » Ahab
Substitution » The life of ahab in exchange for that of ben-hadad
Syria » The israelites » Craftily drawn into a league with
Will » The mental faculty » Freedom of, recognized by God
1 Kings 20:43 (show verse)
So the king of Israel went to his house resentful and sullen, and came to Samaria.