They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk. They marched out at noonIn the ancient Near East, battles typically began in the morning when the troops were fresh and the light was optimal. The decision to march out at noon suggests a strategic move by the Israelites, possibly to catch the Arameans off guard. This timing could indicate divine guidance, as God often uses unconventional means to achieve His purposes ( Judges 7:19-22, the story of Gideon). The midday heat would also be a factor, potentially affecting the readiness and alertness of the opposing forces. while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him
Ben-hadad was the king of Aram (Syria), a powerful nation to the north of Israel. The mention of "32 kings" indicates a coalition of city-states or smaller kingdoms under his leadership, highlighting the significant threat posed to Israel. This alliance reflects the common practice of forming coalitions for military campaigns in the ancient world. The number 32 may symbolize completeness or a formidable force, emphasizing the odds against Israel. This coalition can be compared to other biblical alliances, such as those seen in Genesis 14:1-16, where multiple kings joined forces. were in their tents getting drunk
The image of Ben-hadad and his allies getting drunk in their tents suggests a lack of discipline and overconfidence. In the Bible, drunkenness often symbolizes moral and spiritual decay (Proverbs 20:1, Isaiah 28:7). This behavior contrasts with the sobriety and readiness expected of leaders in times of war. The scene foreshadows their impending defeat, as God often uses the weaknesses of the proud to bring about their downfall (Proverbs 16:18). This moment can be seen as a divine setup for Israel's victory, reminiscent of other biblical narratives where God intervenes against overwhelming odds (1 Samuel 17:45-47, the story of David and Goliath). Persons / Places / Events 1. Ben-hadadThe king of Aram (Syria) who led a coalition of 32 kings against Israel. His actions and decisions are central to the events of this chapter. 2. 32 KingsThese were allied rulers who supported Ben-hadad in his campaign against Israel. Their presence signifies a formidable force against the Israelites. 3. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, led by King Ahab at this time, who were under threat from Ben-hadad's coalition. 4. NoonThe time of day when the Israelites marched out, which is significant because it was an unexpected time for battle, catching the enemy off guard. 5. TentsThe location where Ben-hadad and his allies were drinking, indicating a lack of preparedness and vigilance. Teaching Points The Dangers of ComplacencyBen-hadad's drunkenness highlights the risks of complacency and lack of vigilance. As Christians, we must remain spiritually alert and prepared for the challenges we face. The Power of Divine StrategyThe timing of the Israelite march demonstrates God's wisdom in strategy. Trusting in God's timing and methods can lead to victory even against overwhelming odds. The Consequences of IntemperanceThe state of Ben-hadad and his allies serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of intemperance. Christians are called to live soberly and righteously. God's Sovereignty in BattleDespite the odds, God delivered Israel from their enemies. This reminds us of God's sovereignty and ability to deliver us from our own battles. The Importance of ReadinessThe Israelites' readiness to march at an unexpected time underscores the importance of being prepared to act when God calls us to move. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the state of Ben-hadad and his allies reflect the warnings found in Proverbs 20:1, and what can we learn from this about the importance of sobriety? 2. In what ways does the unexpected timing of the Israelite march at noon demonstrate the importance of divine strategy in our lives? 3. How can we apply the lesson of vigilance from 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 to our daily spiritual walk? 4. What does this passage teach us about God's sovereignty and ability to deliver us from seemingly insurmountable challenges? 5. How can we ensure that we are spiritually ready to act when God calls us, as the Israelites were ready to march at noon? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 20:1This verse warns about the dangers of wine and strong drink, which connects to the state of Ben-hadad and his allies, who were drunk and unprepared for battle. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8These verses encourage believers to be sober and alert, contrasting the drunkenness of Ben-hadad and his allies with the vigilance expected of Christians. Judges 7:19-22Gideon's surprise attack on the Midianites at night parallels the unexpected timing of the Israelite march at noon, emphasizing the element of surprise in warfare. People Ahab, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Israelites, SyriansPlaces Aphek, Damascus, Samaria, SyriaTopics 32, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Ben-ha'dad, Booths, Drank, Drinking, Drunk, Getting, Hadad, Helped, Helping, Kings, Middle, Noon, Pavilions, Shelters, Temporary, Tents, Thirty, Thirty-twoDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 20:16 4434 drinking
4436 drinking, abstention
4960 noon
5578 tents 1 Kings 20:13-21 1429 prophecy, OT fulfilment 1 Kings 20:15-20 5529 sieges 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 20:16 NIV1 Kings 20:16 NLT1 Kings 20:16 ESV1 Kings 20:16 NASB1 Kings 20:16 KJV
1 Kings 20:16 Commentaries
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