1 Kings 20

9 this thing I may not do. Ben-hadad’s first message was understood by the king of Israel merely as a demand of vassalage, and to this he tamely consented. But the second, which required the actual and immediate surrender of whatever Benhadad chose to take, was too much even for the passive Ahab, and, stimulated by his chief men, and by the general voice of the people, he resolved to make a stand.

10 if the dust of Samaria, etc. A figurative description of the numbers of his army, and the utter destruction which he would inflict upon Samaria. Ahab’s pithy reply to this proud boast has become a proverb.

14 by the young men. The soldiers.

Who shall order the battle? Rather, “Who shall begin the battle, the Syrians or I?”

18 take them alive. This unusual command would greatly embarrass his troops, and contribute to the success of their assailants.

22 the return of the year. In the early spring, when the winter rains had ceased.

26. Aphek.** There were two or more places named “Aphek,” and it is not certain which this was; but it was probably the modern Fik or Afik, east of Jordan, overlooking the sea of Galilee (Hastings’ Dict. of the Bible).

27 were all present. Rather, as R.V., “were victualled.”

30 a wall. Rather, “the wall” (R.V.); i.e., of the city.

31 are merciful kings. This is a noteworthy answer to the accusations of cruelty towards conquered enemies which are sometimes brought against the Hebrew kings.

33. Now the men, etc.** Or, “And the men took it as a good omen, and they hastened and caught up what fell from him” (see R.V. marg.).

34 thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus. i.e., he gave permission to establish an Israelitish quarter in the Syrian capital.

he made a covenant with him. This conduct of Ahab arose not from any real benevolence, but from mere weakness and vanity. To liberate this faithless enemy of Israel was cruelty to his own subjects, and disobedience to the command implied in the curse: see vers. 28, 42. Cp. 1 Sam. xx. 23.

35 sons of the prophets. The phrase “sons of the prophets” occurs here for the first time. But the idea is contained in 1 Sam. x. 11, 12.

neighbour. Or, “companion”; one of the sons of the prophets, like himself, who should therefore have understood “the word of the Lord.”

38 with aches. The Septuagint and the Chaldee read, “with his headband over his eyes,” R.V. This requires a change of only one letter in the Hebrew.

42 appointed to . . . destruction. Heb., “a man of My curse.” For the fulfilment of the following sentence, see xxii. 35.