1 Kings 20:21

Translations

Modern

Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans.

Traditional

And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.

Literal

And the king of Israel went out and attacked the horse and the chariot, and he struck among the Aramaeans a great slaughter.

Latin

Necnon egressus rex Israël percussit equos et currus, et percussit Syriam plaga magna.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans.

Notes

1 Kings 20:20–22

Horses and chariots were important in ancient battles. Ahab's defeat of most of Ben-hadad's forces was crucial to prevent future attacks. However, God's prophet warned that the king of Aram would come back.
in the spring: Late spring and early summer were common times for war in the ancient Near East. Armies could rely on good weather and grain from the early harvest.

1 Kings 20:13–34

Two separate battles took place, one in Samaria (1 Kings 20:13–25) and another at Aphek (1 Kings 20:26–34). The writer shared similar details for both:

advice before the battle (1 Kings 20:13–14, 23–25),
conditions before the battle (1 Kings 20:15–16, 26–28),
Israel's victory despite being outnumbered (1 Kings 20:17–21, 29–30), and
advice after the battle (1 Kings 20:22, 31).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Arameans Jezebel

Related verses

Judges 7:23–25
Then the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and they pursued the Midianites.
Judges 3:28
“Follow me,” he told them, “for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they followed him down and seized the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and they did not allow anyone to cross over.
1 Samuel 17:52
Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. And the bodies of the Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.
2 Kings 3:18
This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.
2 Kings 3:24
But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites.
1 Samuel 14:20–22
Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Syria: Ancient region north of Israel, often in conflict

Glossary

Ahab (King) Kings, Books of First and Second Samaria

Topics

Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Deliverance of, Effected Armies: Often Destroyed by Their Enemies Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Destruction of Ben-Hadad's Army

1 Kings 20:21

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