Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.’” New Living Translation Then the man of God went to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: The Arameans have said, ‘The LORD is a god of the hills and not of the plains.’ So I will defeat this vast army for you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” English Standard Version And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’” Berean Standard Bible Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said that the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” King James Bible And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. New King James Version Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’ ” New American Standard Bible Then a man of God approached and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Since the Arameans have said, “The LORD is a god of mountains, but He is not a god of valleys,” therefore I will hand over to you all this great multitude, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’” NASB 1995 Then a man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because the Arameans have said, “The LORD is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’” NASB 1977 Then a man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because the Arameans have said, “The LORD is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys”; therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’” Legacy Standard Bible Then a man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel and said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Because the Arameans have said, “Yahweh is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am Yahweh.’” Amplified Bible 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.’” Christian Standard Bible Then the man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said, “The LORD is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys,” I will hand over all this whole huge army to you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said: Yahweh is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys, I will hand over all this great army to you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” American Standard Version And a man of God came near and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, Because the Syrians have said, Jehovah is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys; therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thy hand, and ye shall know that I am Jehovah. Contemporary English Version The prophet went to Ahab and said, "The Syrians think the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys. So he has promised to help you defeat their powerful army. Then you will know that the LORD is in control." English Revised Version And a man of God came near and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys; therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation The man of God came again. He said to the king of Israel, "This is what the LORD says: Because the Arameans said that the LORD is a god of the hills but not a god of the valleys, I will hand over their entire army to you. Then you will know that I am the LORD." Good News Translation A prophet went to King Ahab and said, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Syrians say that I am a god of the hills and not of the plains, I will give you victory over their huge army, and you and your people will know that I am the LORD.'" International Standard Version Right about then, a man of God approached and told the king of Israel, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Arameans keep saying "The LORD is a mountain god, but isn't a valley god," I'm going to deliver this entire vast army right into your control, so you'll learn that I really am the LORD.'" Majority Standard Bible Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, ?This is what the LORD says: ?Because the Arameans have said that the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.?? NET Bible The prophet visited the king of Israel and said, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Syrians said, "The LORD is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys," I will hand over to you this entire huge army. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'" New Heart English Bible A man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, "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"; therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.'" Webster's Bible Translation And there came a man of God, and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thy hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. World English Bible A man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Yahweh says, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “Yahweh is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am Yahweh.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd a man of God comes near, and speaks to the king of Israel and says, “Thus said YHWH: Because that the Arameans have said, YHWH [is] God of [the] hills, but He [is] not God of [the] valleys—I have given the whole of this great multitude into your hand, and you have known that I [am] YHWH.” Young's Literal Translation And there cometh nigh a man of God, and speaketh unto the king of Israel, and saith, 'Thus said Jehovah, Because that the Aramaeans have said, God of hills is Jehovah, and He is not God of valleys -- I have given the whole of this great multitude into thy hand, and ye have known that I am Jehovah.' Smith's Literal Translation And a man of God will come near and say to the king of Israel, and he will say, Thus said Jehovah, Because Aram said, A God of the mountains is Jehovah, and he is not the God of the valleys, and I gave all this great multitude into thy hand; and know ye that I am Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims Bible(And a man of God coming, said to the king of Israel: Thus saith the Lord: Because the Syrians have said: The Lord is God of the hills, but is not God of the valleys: I will deliver all this great multitude into thy hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.) Catholic Public Domain Version And one man of God, drawing near, said to the king of Israel: “Thus says the Lord: Because the Syrians have said, ‘The Lord is the God of the mountains, but he is not the God of the valleys,’ I will deliver this entire great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” New American Bible A man of God approached and said to the king of Israel: “The LORD says, Because Aram has said the LORD is a god of mountains, not a god of plains, I will give all this vast army into your power that you may know I am the LORD.” New Revised Standard Version 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,’ therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd a prophet of God drew near to Ahab the king of Israel, and said to him, Thus says the LORD, Because the Arameans have said, The LORD is a god of the mountains, but he is not a god of the valleys, therefore I will deliver all this great army into your hands, and you shall know that I am the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Prophet of God came to Akhab, King of Israel, and said to him: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ‘Why did the Edomites say, LORD JEHOVAH is God of the mountains, and is not God of the valleys?’ I shall hand all this great army over into your hands, and you shall know that I AM LORD JEHOVAH.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And a man of God came near and spoke unto the king of Israel, and said: 'Thus saith the LORD: Because the Arameans have said: The LORD is a God of the hills, but he is not a God of the valleys; therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thy hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And there came the man of God, and said to the king of Israel, Thus saith the Lord, Because Syria has said, The Lord God of Israel is a God of the hills, and he is not a God of the valleys, therefore will I give this great army into thy hand, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Another War with Ben-hadad…27The Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside. 28Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” 29For seven days the armies camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle ensued, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day.… Cross References Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.” Psalm 24:8 Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Isaiah 37:16 “O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols. Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me? 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. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Luke 1:37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 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 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 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 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Treasury of Scripture And there came a man of God, and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, Thus said the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD. the rest Psalm 18:25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; a wall Isaiah 24:18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. Jeremiah 48:44 He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. Amos 2:14,15 Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: … fled 1 Kings 20:10,20 And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me… Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. into an inner chamber. 1 Kings 22:25 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. 2 Chronicles 18:24 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. Jump to Previous Arameans Deliver Great Hand Hills Israel Multitude Syrians ValleysJump to Next Arameans Deliver Great Hand Hills Israel Multitude Syrians Valleys1 Kings 20 1. Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria13. 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 Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, The "man of God" is a term often used in the Old Testament to refer to prophets or messengers sent by God. In this context, it emphasizes the divine authority behind the message. Prophets played a crucial role in guiding the kings of Israel, often delivering messages of warning, guidance, or assurance. The king of Israel at this time was Ahab, who reigned during a period of significant conflict with surrounding nations, including the Arameans. “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said that the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. The Man of GodA prophet sent by God to deliver His message to the king of Israel. Prophets were often used by God to communicate His will and guidance to the people and their leaders. 2. The King of Israel At this time, Ahab was the king of Israel. He was known for his idolatry and disobedience to God, yet God still chose to deliver a message to him through the prophet. 3. The Arameans A group of people who were enemies of Israel. They believed that the God of Israel was limited to certain geographical areas, specifically the hills. 4. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness. He is portrayed as sovereign over all creation, not limited by geography. 5. The Battle The context involves a military confrontation between Israel and the Arameans, where God promises victory to demonstrate His power and sovereignty. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyGod is not limited by human perceptions or geographical boundaries. He is the God of both the hills and the valleys, demonstrating His omnipresence and omnipotence. Misconceptions about God The Arameans' belief that God was only a "god of the hills" reflects a common human tendency to limit God based on our understanding. We must recognize and trust in God's unlimited power and presence in all areas of our lives. God's Purpose in Deliverance God's deliverance of Israel was not just for their benefit but to reveal His identity and power to both Israel and their enemies. Our victories and blessings should point others to God. Faith in God's Promises Despite Ahab's unfaithfulness, God still chose to deliver Israel to demonstrate His faithfulness. We can trust in God's promises even when we feel unworthy.(28)A man of God--apparently not the same as before. We see from 1Kings 20:35 that the prophetic order was now numerous. The vindication of the majesty of God before the Syrians, as well as before Israel--like the more celebrated case of the rebuke of the blasphemy of Sennacherib (2Kings 19:16-34)--is in accordance with the prayer of Solomon, or the similar utterances in the Psalms (Psalm 67:2; Psalm 102:15; Psalm 138:4), "That all the people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee;" and also with such prophetic declarations as those of Ezekiel 20:9, "I wrought for my Name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen." It is a foreshadowing of that view of all nations, as in some degree having knowledge of God and probation before Him, which is afterwards worked out fully in the prophetic writings. The intense and powerful Monotheism of the religion of Israel, in spite of all its backslidings, could hardly have been without influence over the neighbouring nations (see 2Kings 5:15), especially at a time when the remembrance of Solomon's vast empire, and still wider influence, would yet linger through the tenacious traditions of the East. . . . Verse 28. - And there came a man of God [Whether this is the same person as the "prophet" of vers. 13, 22, is not quite clear. The difference in the designation (see on 1 Kings 13:1 and p. 303) would lead us to suppose that a different messenger was meant. It is true the Hebrew has the article "the man of God" (LXX. ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ), but אִיּשׁ הֶךאלהִים (see Judges 13:6; Deuteronomy 33:1) is often hardly distinguishable from the same words without the article], and spake [Heb. said, same word as below] unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the Lord, Because the Syrians [Heb. Syria, but with a plural verb] have said, The Lord is Cod of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the Lord. [It was partly for the instruction of Israel, and to confirm their wavering faith in Jehovah (see ver. 13), that this deliverance was wrought. But it was also that neighbouring nations might learn His power, and that His name might be magnified among the heathen.] Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then the manאִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of God הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative approached וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ (way·yig·gaš) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach the king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc and said, וַיֹּאמֶר֮ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “This is what כֹּֽה־ (kōh-) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says: וַיֹּ֜אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘Because יַ֠עַן (ya·‘an) Adverb Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause the Arameans אֲרָם֙ (’ă·rām) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria think אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say the LORD יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel is a god אֱלֹהֵ֤י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of the hills הָרִים֙ (hā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country and not וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no of the valleys, עֲמָקִ֖ים (‘ă·mā·qîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6010: A vale I will deliver וְ֠נָתַתִּי (wə·nā·ṯat·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every this הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that great הַגָּ֤דוֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent army הֶהָמ֨וֹן (he·hā·mō·wn) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth into your hand. בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ (bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand Then you will know וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ם (wî·ḏa‘·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 3045: To know that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am the LORD.?? יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Links 1 Kings 20:28 NIV1 Kings 20:28 NLT 1 Kings 20:28 ESV 1 Kings 20:28 NASB 1 Kings 20:28 KJV 1 Kings 20:28 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 20:28 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 20:28 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 20:28 French Bible 1 Kings 20:28 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 20:28 A man of God came near (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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