Then Ben-hadad sent another message to Ahab: "May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if enough dust remains of Samaria for each of my men to have a handful." Then Ben-hadad sent another message to Ahab:Ben-hadad, the king of Aram (Syria), is a recurring antagonist in the narrative of 1 Kings. His interactions with Ahab, the king of Israel, highlight the ongoing conflict between Israel and its northern neighbors. This message is part of a series of communications that reflect the tension and hostility between the two kingdoms. Historically, Aram was a significant power in the region, often clashing with Israel over territory and influence. “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely:
This phrase is a common oath formula in the ancient Near East, invoking the gods as witnesses to a vow or curse. It reflects the polytheistic beliefs of the Arameans, contrasting with Israel's monotheism. The invocation of divine retribution underscores the seriousness of Ben-hadad's threat and his confidence in his military might. This type of oath is seen elsewhere in the Bible, such as in Ruth 1:17, where Ruth makes a similar vow to Naomi. if enough dust remains of Samaria for each of my men to have a handful.”
Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, established by King Omri. It was a fortified city, strategically located and significant both politically and economically. Ben-hadad's threat implies total destruction, suggesting that his forces would so thoroughly devastate Samaria that nothing would be left. This hyperbolic language is intended to intimidate Ahab and demonstrate Ben-hadad's confidence in his military superiority. The imagery of dust is reminiscent of other biblical passages where dust symbolizes desolation and defeat, such as in Genesis 18:27, where Abraham refers to himself as "dust and ashes." Persons / Places / Events 1. Ben-hadadThe king of Aram (Syria) who is waging war against Israel. His message to Ahab is one of arrogance and overconfidence. 2. AhabThe king of Israel, known for his weak leadership and idolatry, who is being threatened by Ben-hadad. 3. SamariaThe capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which Ben-hadad threatens to destroy completely. 4. Aram (Syria)The nation led by Ben-hadad, historically an enemy of Israel. 5. The godsRefers to the pagan deities worshiped by Ben-hadad, highlighting the spiritual conflict between the God of Israel and the false gods of the surrounding nations. Teaching Points The Danger of PrideBen-hadad's boastful threat is a classic example of pride that precedes a fall. Believers are reminded to remain humble and rely on God's strength rather than their own. God's Sovereignty Over NationsDespite Ben-hadad's confidence, God is ultimately in control. This encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty over world events and personal circumstances. The Futility of IdolatryBen-hadad's invocation of his gods highlights the futility of idolatry. Believers are called to worship the one true God who has power over all creation. Courage in the Face of ThreatsAhab's eventual response, though flawed in many ways, shows that courage is possible even when facing overwhelming odds. Christians are encouraged to stand firm in faith when confronted by challenges. The Power of WordsBen-hadad's message is a reminder of the power of words to intimidate or encourage. Believers are urged to use their words to build up and not tear down. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Ben-hadad's prideful statement in 1 Kings 20:10 reflect the broader biblical theme of pride and its consequences? 2. In what ways does the account of Ben-hadad and Ahab illustrate the sovereignty of God over human affairs? 3. How can we apply the lesson of idolatry from this passage to modern-day "idols" that may compete for our devotion? 4. What can we learn from Ahab's response to Ben-hadad's threat about facing our own challenges with courage and faith? 5. How does the power of words, as seen in Ben-hadad's message, influence our daily interactions, and what biblical principles can guide us in our speech? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 20:11Ahab's response to Ben-hadad's threat, which shows a rare moment of wisdom and courage. 2 Kings 6:24-7:20 Another instance of a siege on Samaria, demonstrating God's deliverance. Proverbs 16:18The principle of pride leading to destruction, as seen in Ben-hadad's boastful threat. Isaiah 37:23-29God's response to the arrogance of foreign kings, similar to His response to Ben-hadad. James 4:6The New Testament teaching on God opposing the proud, which is relevant to Ben-hadad's attitude. People Ahab, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Israelites, SyriansPlaces Aphek, Damascus, Samaria, SyriaTopics Add, Ahab, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Ben-ha'dad, Deal, Dust, Follow, Gods, Hadad, Handful, Handfuls, Hands, Message, Punishment, Remains, Samaria, Sama'ria, Saying, Severely, Suffice, ThusDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 20:10-11 5575 talk, idle Library The Lost Opportunity
TEXT: "And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it."--1 Kings 20:40. There is a very striking incident connected with this text. The great battle is raging, a certain important prisoner has been taken, and if you read between the lines you seem to know that upon him depend many of the issues of war. His skill in leading the enemy had been marvelous, his courage in the thick of the fight striking; …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPutting on the Armour
And the king of Israel answered and said. Tell him. Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.'--1 KINGS xx. 11. For the Young. Ahab, King of Israel, was but a poor creature, and, like most weak characters, he turned out a wicked one, because he found that there were more temptations to do wrong than inducements to do right. Like other weak people, too, he was torn asunder by the influence of stronger wills. On the one side he had a termagant of a wife, stirring …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Letter of the Synod to the Emperor and Empress.
(Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VII., col. 577.) To our most religious and most serene princes, Constantine and Irene his mother. Tarasius, the unworthy bishop of your God-protected royal city, new Rome, and all the holy Council which met at the good pleasure of God and upon the command of your Christ-loving majesty in the renowned metropolis of Nice, the second council to assemble in this city. Christ our God (who is the head of the Church) was glorified, most noble princes, when your heart, …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils Nature of the Renderings
From the text we now turn to the renderings, and to the general principles that were followed, both in the Old and in the New Testament. The revision of the English text was in each case subject to the same general rule, viz. "To introduce as few alterations as possible into the Text of the Authorised Version consistently with faithfulness"; but, owing to the great difference between the two languages, the Hebrew and the Greek, the application of the rule was necessarily different, and the results …
C. J. Ellicott—Addresses on the Revised Version of Holy Scripture The Practice of Piety in Glorifying God in the Time of Sickness, and when Thou Art Called to Die in the Lord.
As soon as thou perceivest thyself to be visited with any sickness, meditate with thyself: 1. That "misery cometh not forth of the dust; neither doth affliction spring out of the earth." Sickness comes not by hap or chance (as the Philistines supposed that their mice and emrods came, 1 Sam. vi. 9), but from man's wickedness, which, as sparkles, breaketh out. "Man suffereth," saith Jeremiah, "for his sins." "Fools," saith David, "by reason of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 20:10 NIV1 Kings 20:10 NLT1 Kings 20:10 ESV1 Kings 20:10 NASB1 Kings 20:10 KJV
1 Kings 20:10 Commentaries
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