1 Kings 20:23

1 Kings 20:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Meanwhile, the servants of the king of Aram said to him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they prevailed over us. Instead, we should fight them on the plains; surely then we will prevail.

King James Version KJV

And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

American Standard Version ASV

And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their god is a god of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we: but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then the king of Aram's servants said to him, Their god is a god of the hills; that is why they were stronger than we: but if we make an attack on them in the lowlands, we will certainly be stronger than they.

Free Bible Version FBV

In the meantime the king of Aram's officers told him, “Their gods are gods of the mountains. That's why they could defeat us. But if we fight them in the lowlands, we can beat them.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then the seruants of the King of Aram said vnto him, Their gods are gods of the moutaines, and therefore they ouercame vs: but let vs fight against them in the playne, and doubtlesse we shall ouercome them.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the servants of the king of Aram said unto him, 'Gods of hills [are] their gods, therefore they were stronger than we; and yet, we fight with them in the plain — are we not stronger than they?

World English Bible WEB

The servants of the king of Syria said to him, “Their god is a god of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we. But let’s fight against them in the plain, and surely we will be stronger than they.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the servants of the king of Syria said to him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

But the servants of the king of Syria said to him: Their gods are gods of the hills, therefore they have overcome us: but it is better that we should fight against them in the plains, and we shall overcome them.

Translation for Translators T4T

After the Syrian army was defeated, Ben-Hadad’s officials said to him, “The gods that the Israelis worship are gods who live in the hills. Samaria is built on a hill, and that is why their soldiers were able to defeat us. But if we fight against them in the plains/lowlands, we certainly will be able to defeat them.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 20:23

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Kings 20:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/עַבְדֵ֨י מֶֽלֶךְ אֲרָ֜ם אָמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֗י/ו אֱלֹהֵ֤י הָרִים֙ אֱלֹ֣הֵי/הֶ֔ם עַל כֵּ֖ן חָזְק֣וּ מִמֶּ֑/נּוּ וְ/אוּלָ֗ם נִלָּחֵ֤ם אִתָּ/ם֙ בַּ/מִּישׁ֔וֹר אִם לֹ֥א נֶחֱזַ֖ק מֵ/הֶֽם

וְ/עַבְדֵ֨י ʻebed H5650 servant/slave Conj | N-mp

מֶֽלֶךְ melek H4428 King's N-ms

אֲרָ֜ם ʼĂrâm H758 Aram N-proper

אָמְר֣וּ ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Perf-3cp

אֵלָ֗י/ו ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff

אֱלֹהֵ֤י ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp

הָרִים֙ har H2022 mountain N-mp

אֱלֹ֣הֵי/הֶ֔ם ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp | Suff

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

כֵּ֖ן kên H3651 right Part

חָזְק֣וּ châzaq H2388 to strengthen V-Qal-Perf-3cp

מִמֶּ֑/נּוּ min H4480 from Prep | Suff

וְ/אוּלָ֗ם ʼûwlâm H199 but Conj | Adv

נִלָּחֵ֤ם lâcham H3898 to fight V-Niphal-Imperf-1cp

אִתָּ/ם֙ ʼêth H854 with Prep | Suff

בַּ/מִּישׁ֔וֹר mîyshôwr H4334 plain Prep | N-ms

אִם ʼim H518 if Conj

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

נֶחֱזַ֖ק châzaq H2388 to strengthen V-Qal-Imperf-1cp

מֵ/הֶֽם Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 20:23

וְ/עַבְדֵ֨י ʻebed H5650 "servant/slave" Conj | N-mp

This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.

Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)

Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.

מֶֽלֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" N-ms

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

אֲרָ֜ם ʼĂrâm H758 "Aram" N-proper

Aram refers to a region in the Bible, also known as Syria, and its people, the Arameans. The grandson of Nahor, an ancestor of Jesus, was also named Aram. The prophet Isaiah wrote about Aram and its relationship with Israel in Isaiah 7:1-9.

Definition: Aram or Arameans = "exalted" Aram or Syrian nation Another name of pad.dan (פַּדָּן "Paddan" H6307)

Usage: Occurs in 118 OT verses. KJV: Aram, Mesopotamia, Syria, Syrians. See also: Genesis 10:22; 2 Kings 8:28; Isaiah 7:1.

אָמְר֣וּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

אֵלָ֗י/ו ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

אֱלֹהֵ֤י ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

הָרִים֙ har H2022 "mountain" N-mp

A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.

Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount

Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.

אֱלֹ֣הֵי/הֶ֔ם ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp | Suff

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

כֵּ֖ן kên H3651 "right" Part

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable

Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.

חָזְק֣וּ châzaq H2388 "to strengthen" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make strong, strengthen 1c2) to make firm 1c3) to display strength 1c4) to make severe 1c5) to support 1c6) to repair 1c7) to prevail, prevail upon 1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support 1c9) to hold, contain 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to strengthen oneself 1d2) to put forth strength, use one's strength 1d3) to withstand 1d4) to hold strongly with

Usage: Occurs in 266 OT verses. KJV: aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. See also: Genesis 19:16; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 27:14.

מִמֶּ֑/נּוּ min H4480 "from" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

וְ/אוּלָ֗ם ʼûwlâm H199 "but" Conj | Adv

This word is used to show contrast, like 'but' or 'however', and is often used to emphasize a point, as seen in its various KJV translations.

Definition: 1) but, but indeed (a strong adversative) 2) however, nevertheless

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: as for, but, howbeit, in very deed, surely, truly, wherefore. See also: Genesis 28:19; Job 2:5; Micah 3:8.

נִלָּחֵ֤ם lâcham H3898 "to fight" V-Niphal-Imperf-1cp

In the Bible, this word means to feed on or consume something, often referring to eating food or battling against someone. It's used in stories like David's battles and the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness.

Definition: 1) to fight, do battle, make war 1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle 1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war

Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). See also: Exodus 1:10; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 35:1.

אִתָּ/ם֙ ʼêth H854 "with" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.

Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.

בַּ/מִּישׁ֔וֹר mîyshôwr H4334 "plain" Prep | N-ms

This word refers to a level or plain area, often used to describe a geographical region. It can also mean uprightness or justice, and is sometimes used to describe a place of equity or fairness. In the Bible, it appears in various translations, including plain and straight.

Definition: 1) level place, uprightness 1a) level country, table-land, plain 1b) level place 1c) uprightness

Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: equity, even place, plain, right(-eously), (made) straight, uprightness. See also: Deuteronomy 3:10; Psalms 27:11; Psalms 26:12.

אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj

This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.

Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

נֶחֱזַ֖ק châzaq H2388 "to strengthen" V-Qal-Imperf-1cp

To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.

מֵ/הֶֽם "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — 1 Kings 20:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Kings 20:23 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 20:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 20:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 20:23
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 20:23
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23
Sermons on 1 Kings 20:23

Context — Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad

21Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans. 22Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, “Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.”

23Meanwhile, the servants of the king of Aram said to him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they prevailed over us. Instead, we should fight them on the plains; surely then we will prevail.

24So do this: Dismiss all the kings from their positions and replace them with other officers. 25And you must raise an army like the one you have lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight the Israelites on the plain, where we will surely prevail.” And the king approved their plan and acted accordingly.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Kings 14:23	They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
2	1 Samuel 4:8	Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness.
3	Psalms 50:21–22	You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face. Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
4	Romans 1:21–23	For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
5	2 Kings 19:12	Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar?
6	Isaiah 42:8	I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.
7	2 Chronicles 32:13–19	Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Have the gods of these nations ever been able to deliver their land from my hand? Who among all the gods of these nations that my fathers devoted to destruction has been able to deliver his people from my hand? How then can your God deliver you from my hand? So now, do not let Hezekiah deceive you, and do not let him mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand!” And the servants of Sennacherib spoke further against the LORD God and against His servant Hezekiah. He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying against Him: “Just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.” Then the Assyrians called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them in order to capture the city. They spoke against the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth—the work of human hands.
8	Psalms 121:1–2	I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
9	1 Kings 20:28	Then 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.’”

1 Kings 20:23 Summary

[The servants of the king of Aram thought the Israelites' God was only powerful in the hills, which is why they wanted to fight them on the plains. However, this shows a limited understanding of God's power, as He is all-powerful and not limited to any geographical area, as seen in Psalm 115:3. This verse teaches us to trust in God's power and sovereignty, rather than trying to come up with our own strategies, and to seek a deeper understanding of His nature and character, as encouraged in Matthew 7:7-8.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the servants of the king of Aram mean by saying the gods of the Israelites were 'gods of the hills'?

The servants believed that the Israelites' gods were limited to certain geographical areas, in this case, the hills, and that's why they were able to defeat them in those areas, as seen in 1 Kings 20:21, but they thought they could defeat them on the plains, similar to how the Philistines thought in 1 Samuel 4:8.

Were the servants of the king of Aram correct in their assessment of the Israelites' gods?

No, the servants were mistaken in their understanding of the Israelites' God, as He is the one true God who is all-powerful and not limited to any geographical area, as stated in Psalm 115:3 and Jeremiah 32:17.

What can we learn from the servants' mistake in 1 Kings 20:23?

We can learn that having a limited or incorrect understanding of God can lead to wrong decisions and actions, and it's essential to seek a deeper understanding of God's nature and character, as encouraged in Proverbs 2:1-5 and Matthew 7:7-8.

How does this verse relate to the overall story in 1 Kings 20?

This verse shows the king of Aram's servants trying to explain their defeat and come up with a new strategy to defeat the Israelites, which sets the stage for the events that unfold in 1 Kings 20:24-25 and the rest of the chapter.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I might be limiting my understanding of God's power and presence in my life?
How can I seek a deeper understanding of God's nature and character, and what role does Scripture play in that pursuit?
In what ways can I apply the lesson from the servants' mistake to my own decision-making and actions?
What are some areas in my life where I might be trying to 'fight on the plains' instead of trusting in God's power and sovereignty?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 20:23

And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him,.... His ministers of state, his privy counsellors: their gods are gods of the hills, therefore they were stronger than we; and beat them in the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 20:23

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23

The servants of the king of Syria suppose that their gods were no better than the Syrian gods, (which the idolatry of the Israelites had given them too great cause to imagine,) and that there were many gods who had each his particular charge and jurisdiction; which was the opinion of all heathen nations, that some were gods of the woods, others of the rivers, and others of the mountains; and they fancied these to be the latter, because the land of Canaan was a mountainous land, ; and the great temple of their god at Jerusalem stood upon a hill, and so did Samaria, where they had received their last blow: or because the Israelites did generally chose high places for the worship of their gods. It is observable that they do not impute their ill success to their negligence, and drunkenness, and bad conduct, or cowardice, of which they were really guilty; nor to the valour of the Israelites; but to a Divine power, which indeed was visible in it. Let us fight against them in the plain; wherein there was not only superstition, but policy, because the Syrians most excelled the Israelites in horses, which are most serviceable in plain ground.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23

1 Kings 20:23 And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods [are] gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.Ver. 23. And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him.] Nothing they said to him of his drunkenness, or their own dastardliness; but tell him a tale of their tutelary gods, that they were gods of the plains and valleys only, not of the mountains, as the Israelites’ gods were: and hence the miscarriage Augustine telleth us of the Romans, that for the hill tops they had their deum Iugatinum; for their little hills, the goddess Collatina; and for the valleys, Valloma. Ovid also brings in those petty deities thus speaking, “ Dii sumus agrestes, et qui dominantur in altis Montibus; Imperium est in sua tecta Iovi. ” - Ovid, Fastor., lib. vi. De Civ. Dei, lib. iv, cap. 8.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23

(23) Gods of the hills.—The idea of tutelary gods, whose strength was greatest on their own soil, is naturally common in polytheistic religions, which, by the very multiplication of gods, imply limitation of the power of each. Now the greater part of the territory where Jehovah was worshipped was a hill-country. Samaria in particular, the scene of recent defeat, lay in the mountain region of Ephraim. The Israelite armies, moreover, being mostly of infantry—having, indeed, few or no cavalry, except in the time of Solomon—naturally encamped and fought, as far as possible, on the hills; as Barak on Mount Tabor (Judges 4:6-14), Saul on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1), and Ahab himself (in 1 Kings 20:27). Perhaps the worship of Jehovah in the “high places” may have also conduced to this belief that the “gods of Israel were gods of the hills,” whose power vanished in the plains; where, of course, the Syrian armies of chariots and horsemen would naturally fight at advantage. Shrewd policy might, as so often is the case, lurk in the advice of Ben-hadad’s counsellors under the cover of superstition; as, indeed, it seems also to show itself in seizing the opportunity to increase the central power, by organising the troops of the tributary kings under officers of his own.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23

Verse 23. Their gods are gods of the hills] It is very likely that the small Israelitish army availed itself of the heights and uneven ground, that they might fight with greater advantage against the Syrian cavalry, for Ben-hadad came up against Samaria with horses and chariots, 1Kg 20:1. These therefore must be soon thrown into confusion when charging in such circumstances; indeed, the chariots must be nearly useless. Let us fight against them in the plain] There our horses and chariots will all be able to bear on the enemy, and there their gods, whose influence is confined to the hills, will not be able to help them. It was a general belief in the heathen world that each district had its tutelary and protecting deity, who could do nothing out of his own sphere.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 20:23

23. their gods are gods] R.V. their god is a god. The LXX. also renders by the singular. The Syrians would speak of the God of Israel as a national divinity, just as they would of their own god. The former battle had been fought in the hill country round about Samaria, and this may have given encouragement to the idea that in a level plain, like that in which their own Damascus lay, the Syrian forces would meet with more success. It was not unnatural, in the heathen ideas about the gods, that they should consider each divinity specially able, and suited, to protect the land over which he was supposed to have the charge.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 20:23

Their gods are gods of the hills - The local power and influence of deities was a fixed principle of the ancient polytheism.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:23

23. Their gods are gods of the hills — They speak after the manner of idolaters, and show their polytheistic notions of religion.

Sermons on 1 Kings 20:23

	Sermon	Description
	False Conclusions by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the patience of God and how it relates to the presence of evil in the world. He references Ecclesiastes 8:11, where Solomon declares that bec
	Anarchy in Worship or Recent Innovation Contrasted W/ Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (1875) by James Begg	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the objection to symbolism in worship. He refers to Deuteronomy 4, where it is stated that God spoke to the people without any similitude or
	The Sinners Mistakes Exposed and Reproved. by Edward Payson	Edward Payson preaches about the ancient doctrine of a judgment to come, emphasizing that God, though silent in the present life, carefully records the sins of impenitent sinners f
	Misrepresenting God by Samuel Logan Brengle	Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the importance of accurately representing God's character, warning against the extremes of portraying God solely as merciful or as cruel. He argues
	Men Naturally Are God’s Enemies by Jonathan Edwards	Jonathan Edwards preaches about the natural enmity of men towards God, emphasizing that all natural men are God's enemies due to their low esteem, aversion, and opposition to God i
	God Regains His Fear Through Judgments by John Franklin	John Franklin delves into the importance of regaining the fear of God as the antidote to the moral decline plaguing our nation and Christians, emphasizing that the loss of fear of
	The Christian in Complete Armour - Part 10 by William Gurnall	William Gurnall preaches about the deep reconciliation and peace with God that is offered through the gospel of Christ. He explains that the gospel reveals God's perfect hatred for