201 Now Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army , and there were thirty-two e kings with him, and horses and chariots . And he went up and besieged e Samaria and fought against it. 2 Then he sent messengers to the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, "Thus says Ben-hadad , 3 'Your silver and your gold are mine; your most beautiful wives and children are also mine.' " 4 The king of Israel replied , "It is according to your word , my lord , O king ; I am yours, and all that I have." 5 Then the messengers returned and said , "Thus says Ben-hadad , 'Surely , I sent to you saying , "You shall give me your silver and your gold and your wives and your children ," 6 but about this time tomorrow I will send my servants to you, and they will search your house and the houses of your servants ; and whatever is desirable in your eyes , they will take in their hand and carry away.' " 7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said , "Please observe and see how this man is looking for trouble ; for he sent to me for my wives and my children and my silver and my gold , and I did not refuse him." 8 All the elders and all the people said to him, "Do not listen or consent ." 9 So he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad , "Tell my lord the king , 'All that you sent for to your servant at the first I will do , but this thing I cannot e do .' " And the messengers departed and brought him word again . 10 Ben-hadad sent to him and said , "May the gods do so to me and more also , if the dust of Samaria will suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me." 11 Then the king of Israel replied , "Tell him, ' Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off .' "
12 When Ben-hadad heard this message , as he was drinking with the kings in the temporary shelters , he said to his servants , "Station yourselves." So they stationed themselves against the city . 13 Now behold , a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and said , "Thus says the Lord , 'Have you seen all this great multitude ? Behold , I will deliver them into your hand today , and you shall know that I am the Lord .' " 14 Ahab said , "By whom ?" So he said , "Thus says the Lord , 'By the young men of the rulers of the provinces .' " Then he said , "Who shall begin the battle ?" And he answered , "You." 15 Then he mustered the young men of the rulers of the provinces , and there were 232 e e ; and after them he mustered all the people , even all the sons of Israel , 7,000 e . 16 They went out at noon , while Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the temporary shelters with the thirty-two e kings who helped him. 17 The young men of the rulers of the provinces went out first ; and Ben-hadad sent out and they told him, saying , "Men have come out from Samaria ." 18 Then he said , "If they have come out for peace , take them alive ; or if they have come out for war , take them alive ." 19 So these went out from the city , the young men of the rulers of the provinces , and the army which followed them. 20 They killed each his man ; and the Arameans fled and Israel pursued them, and Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on a horse with horsemen . 21 The king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots , and killed the Arameans with a great slaughter .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:1-21
Commentary on 1 Kings 20:1-11
(Read 1 Kings 20:1-11)
Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies shall: guilt dispirits men, and makes them cowards. Ahab became desperate. Men will part with their most pleasant things, those they most love, to save their lives; yet they lose their souls rather than part with any pleasure or interest to prevent it. Here is one of the wisest sayings that ever Ahab spake, and it is a good lesson to all. It is folly to boast of any day to come, since we know not what it may bring forth. Apply it to our spiritual conflicts. Peter fell by self-confidence. Happy is the man who is never off his watch.
Commentary on 1 Kings 20:12-21
(Read 1 Kings 20:12-21)
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.