1 Kings 20:15
New International Version
So Ahab summoned the 232 junior officers under the provincial commanders. Then he assembled the rest of the Israelites, 7,000 in all.

New Living Translation
So Ahab mustered the troops of the 232 provincial commanders. Then he called out the rest of the army of Israel, some 7,000 men.

English Standard Version
Then he mustered the servants of the governors of the districts, and they were 232. And after them he mustered all the people of Israel, seven thousand.

Berean Standard Bible
So Ahab assembled the young officers of the district governors, and there were 232 men. And after them, he assembled the rest of the Israelite troops, 7,000 in all.

King James Bible
Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

New King James Version
Then he mustered the young leaders of the provinces, and there were two hundred and thirty-two; and after them he mustered all the people, all the children of Israel—seven thousand.

New American Standard Bible
So he mustered the young men of the leaders of the provinces, and there were 232; and after them he mustered all the people, all the sons of Israel: seven thousand.

NASB 1995
Then he mustered the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and there were 232; and after them he mustered all the people, even all the sons of Israel, 7,000.

NASB 1977
Then he mustered the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and there were 232; and after them he mustered all the people, even all the sons of Israel, 7,000.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he mustered the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and there were 232; and after them he mustered all the people, even all the sons of Israel, 7,000.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
So Ahab mobilized the young men of the provincial leaders, and there were 232. After them he mobilized all the Israelite troops: 7,000.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Ahab counted the young men of the provincial leaders, and there were 232. After them he counted all the Israelite troops: 7,000.

American Standard Version
Then he mustered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty-two: and after them he mustered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

Contemporary English Version
So Ahab called together the 232 young soldiers and the 7,000 troops in Israel's army, and he got them ready to fight the Syrians.

English Revised Version
Then he mustered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he mustered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ahab counted the young officers of the district governors. There were 232. After counting them, he counted all the Israelite soldiers. There were 7,000.

Good News Translation
So the king called out the young soldiers who were under the district commanders, 232 in all. Then he called out the Israelite army, a total of seven thousand men.

International Standard Version
So Ahab gathered together 232 young men who served as officials within the provinces and then mustered 7,000 soldiers from among the Israelis.

Majority Standard Bible
So Ahab assembled the young officers of the district governors, and there were 232 men. And after them, he assembled the rest of the Israelite troops, 7,000 in all.

NET Bible
So Ahab assembled the 232 servants of the district governors. After that he assembled all the Israelite army, numbering 7,000.

New Heart English Bible
Then he mustered the young men of the governors of the districts, and they were two hundred and thirty-two. After them, he mustered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

World English Bible
Then he mustered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty-two. After them, he mustered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he inspects the young men of the heads of the provinces, and they are two hundred and thirty-two, and after them he has mustered all the people, all the sons of Israel—seven thousand,

Young's Literal Translation
And he inspecteth the young men of the heads of the provinces, and they are two hundred, two and thirty, and after them he hath inspecteth the whole of the people, all the sons of Israel, seven thousand,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will review the boys of the chiefs of the provinces, and they will be two hundred and thirty: and after them he reviewed all the people, all the sons of Israel, seven thousand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So he mustered the servants of the princes of the provinces, and he found the number of two hundred and thirty-two: and he mustered after them the people, all the children of Israel, seven thousand:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, he took a count of the servants of the leaders of the provinces. And he found the number to be two hundred thirty-two. And he set them in order after the people, all the sons of Israel, who were seven thousand.

New American Bible
So Ahab mustered the aides of the provincial governors, two hundred thirty-two of them. Behind them he mustered all the Israelite soldiery, who numbered seven thousand in all.

New Revised Standard Version
Then he mustered the young men who served the district governors, two hundred thirty-two; after them he mustered all the people of Israel, seven thousand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he numbered the young men and the princes of the city, and they were two hundred and thirty-two; and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he numbered the youth and the Princes of the city, and there were two hundred and thirty and two, and after them he numbered all the people and all the sons of Israel, seven thousand.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty-two; and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Achaab numbered the young men the heads of the districts, and they were two hundred and thirty: and afterwards he numbered the people, even every man fit for war, seven thousand.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad
14“By whom?” Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’ ” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. “You will,” answered the prophet. 15So Ahab assembled the young officers of the district governors, and there were 232 men. And after them, he assembled the rest of the Israelite troops, 7,000 in all. 16They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.…

Cross References
Judges 7:7
Then the LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped the water I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. But all the others are to go home.”

1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”

2 Chronicles 14:11
Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.”

2 Kings 6:16-17
“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” / Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Joshua 23:10
One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.

Deuteronomy 20:1
When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.


Treasury of Scripture

Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

1 Kings 20:14,15,19
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou…

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Ahab Children Districts Governors Hundred Israel Mustered Numbered Princes Provinces Servants Seven Summoned Thirty Thirty-Two Thousand Young
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Ahab Children Districts Governors Hundred Israel Mustered Numbered Princes Provinces Servants Seven Summoned Thirty Thirty-Two Thousand Young
1 Kings 20
1. Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria
13. By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain
22. As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek
28. By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again
31. The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant
35. The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner,
39. making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him














So Ahab assembled
The act of assembling here is significant in the context of leadership and preparation for battle. The Hebrew root for "assembled" is קָהַל (qahal), which means to gather or convene. This reflects Ahab's role as a king who must rally his people in times of crisis. Historically, this gathering is a response to the threat posed by Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of unity among the Israelites.

the young officers of the provinces
The "young officers" refers to a specific group of leaders or commanders, often seen as energetic and capable. The Hebrew term נַעַר (na'ar) can mean young men or servants, indicating their role as emerging leaders. These officers represent the hope and future of Israel's military strength. The mention of "provinces" suggests a decentralized structure, where local leaders are called upon to defend the nation, highlighting the communal effort required in times of war.

232 in all
The specific number, 232, underscores the precision and order in Ahab's military organization. Numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic weight, and while 232 does not have a widely recognized symbolic meaning, its specificity suggests a well-documented and deliberate preparation for battle. This reflects the importance of each individual in the collective effort against a formidable enemy.

Then he assembled the rest of the Israelites
This phrase indicates a broader call to arms beyond the young officers. The Hebrew word for "assembled" is again קָהַל (qahal), reinforcing the theme of unity and collective action. The "rest of the Israelites" implies that every able person was needed, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the need for national solidarity.

7,000 in all
The number 7,000 is significant in biblical numerology, often representing completeness or divine perfection. This could suggest that the assembled force, though small compared to their enemies, was complete and sufficient in God's eyes. Historically, this number also reflects the remnant of faithful Israelites, echoing Elijah's earlier encounter with God where He mentions preserving 7,000 who have not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). This connection underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness in preserving His people.

(15) The young men--i.e., the attendants or armour-bearers of the territorial chiefs, no doubt picked men and well armed. The whole garrison is stated as seven thousand--enough, perhaps, to man the walls, but wholly unfit to take the field. The sally is made at noon, when (as Josephus relates) the besiegers were resting unarmed in the heat of the day.

Verse 15. - Then he numbered [or reviewed (cf. Numbers 1:44 sqq.; Numbers 3:39-43)] the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty-two [cf. 2 Chronicles 14:11; Psalm 33:16; Deuteronomy 32:30, etc. LXX. διακόσια τριάκοντα. Theodoret remarks that by this band - 230, as he understood it - Almighty God would destroy the hosts of thirty and two kings. The numbers may have been recorded because of the correspondency]: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand. [This number is of course to be understood, unlike that of ch. 19:18, literally. And the context (cf. ver. 19) shows that this was the number of fighting men. But this small army can hardly fail to create surprise, especially if we compare it with the statistics of the soldiery of an earlier age (2 Samuel 24:9; 1 Chronicles 21:5; 2 Chronicles 13:3; 2 Chronicles 14:8). It is true this was not strictly an army, but a garrison for the defence of the capital. But it looks very much as if, under the feeble rule of Ahab, the kingdom of Israel had become thoroughly disorganized. "The position of Jarchi is that of a true Rabbi, viz., that the 7000 were those who had not bowed the knee unto Baal (1 Kings 19:18)," Bahr.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Ahab assembled
וַיִּפְקֹ֗ד (way·yip̄·qōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

the young officers
נַעֲרֵי֙ (na·‘ă·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

of the district
הַמְּדִינ֔וֹת (ham·mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4082: A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region

governors,
שָׂרֵ֣י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

and there were
וַיִּהְי֕וּ (way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

232 men.
מָאתַ֖יִם (mā·ṯa·yim)
Number - fd
Strong's 3967: A hundred

And after them,
וְאַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם (wə·’a·ḥă·rê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

he assembled
פָּקַ֧ד (pā·qaḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

[the rest of]
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the Israelite
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

troops,
הָעָ֛ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

7,000
שִׁבְעַ֥ת (šiḇ·‘aṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

in all.
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every


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OT History: 1 Kings 20:15 Then he mustered the young men (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 20:14
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