1 Reis 20
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Reis 20
NJB (MT versing) War with Aram Ahab Defeats the Syrians Ahab's War with the Arameans War with Syria The Siege of Samaria 20:1-6 20:1-6 20:1-6 20:1-3 20:1-4 20:4 20:5-6 20:5-6 20:7-12 20:7-12 20:7-12 20:7 20:7-9 20:8 20:9a 20:9b-10 20:10-12 20:11 Ahab Victorious 20:12 Victory for Israel 20:13-15 20:13-22 20:13-15 20:13 20:13-14 20:14 20:15 20:15-21 20:16-18 20:16-18 20:16-18 29:19-21 29:19-21 29:19-21 Respite 20:22 20:22 20:22 20:22 The Syrians Again Defeated The Second Syrian Attack 20:23-25 20:23-27 20:23-25 20:23-25a 20:23-25 Another Aramean War 20:25b-27 The Victory of Amek 20:26-30 20:26-30a 20:26-27 20:28-30 20:28 20:28-30a 20:29-30a Ahab's Treaty with Ben-hadad 20:30b-34 20:30b-34 20:30b-34 20:31-34 20:31-34 Ahab Condemned Prophetic Opposition to Ahab's Policies A Prophet Condemns Ahab A Prophet Condemns Ahab's Policy 20:35-43 20:35-43 20:35-43 20:35-36 20:35-43 20:37-40a 20:40b 20:41-42 20:43 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS The Prophets Elijah and Elisha are not named in this chapter but the guild of prophets is very involved in communicating YHWH's message to Ahab. This chapter (i.e., vv. 1-34) is surprisingly positive towards Ahab, who is so vilified in earlier chapters. It might be another literary source from this period. Notice that the negative view of Ahab returns in vv. 35-43. There is much discussion among commentators about the date of these military incursions. early in Ahab's reign late in Ahab's reign
1 Reis 20:1-6
20:1 "Ben-hadad king of Aram" This king's name means "son of Hadad" (BDB 122). It seems to be a title like Pharaoh or Caesar. Hadad was a storm god (i.e., fertility god) of both Edom and Syria. The name is related to the Arabic root "make a loud rise," such as falling rain. There are several Ben-hadads mentioned in the Bible. in the time of Asa, King of Judah, 1 Kgs. 15:18,20; 2 Chr. 10:2,4 in the time of Ahab, King of Israel, 1 Kings 20; 2 Kgs. 6:24; 8:7,9 in the time of Amaziah, King of Judah and Jehoahaz, King of Israel, 2 Kgs. 13:3,24-25 ▣ "thirty-two kings with him" Apparently these were rulers or chieftains of small nations close to Syria that were connected to Ben-hadad by covenant alliance military defeat royal marriages tribal unity ▣ "chariots" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARIOTS. ▣ "besieged Samaria" This new capital of Israel was located on a high ridge with only one easy access point. It had its own water supply and, therefore, was very difficult to besiege. One wonders if this siege was because of Ahab's shutting down Syrian trade rights in Samaria, which were given to Syria by Ahab's father, Omri (cf. v. 34 and Jewish Study Bible, p. 718). 20:2-7 It is uncertain what the "desirable in your eyes" referred to. Was there some special treasure Ahab had hidden in his house or is this an idiom for every valuable thing? Ahab agreed to the terms of v. 5, but hesitated at the terms of v. 6.
1 Reis 20:7-12
20:7-12 When Ahab sought the advice of his tribal elders, they rejected Ben-hadad's demand! SPECIAL TOPIC: ELDER 20:10 "May the gods do so to me and more also, if. . ." This was a typical curse formula (cf. 1 Kgs. 19:2; 2 Kgs. 6:31). The gods referred to were the fertility gods of Syria. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE 20:11 This must have been a well known proverb. We might say, "don't count your chickens before they hatch."
1 Reis 20:13-15
20:13 There is a series of prophets mentioned in this chapter who brought YHWH's message to Ahab. YHWH still cares for His wayward, idolatrous covenant people. "a prophet" ‒ 1 Kgs. 20:13 "the prophet" ‒ 1 Kgs. 20:22 "a man of god" ‒ 1 Kgs. 20:28 "a certain man of the sons of the prophets" They all seem to refer to the same person. SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT) ▣ "and you shall know that I am the Lord" YHWH wanted the northern kingdom to survive and prosper (vv. 13,25), but they must obey the covenant of Moses. This phrase first occurred in Exodus. of Israel knowing YHWH ‒ Exod. 6:7; 16:6; 29:46 of Egypt knowing YHWH ‒ Exod. 7:5 YHWH wants all the world to know Him. See SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW. There is a word play between the VERB "to be" and the name for the God of Syria (BDB 217). SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. 20:14 The prophet even specified who would bring the unexpected victory! YHWH knows and controls history for His purposes (cf. v. 22). In some ways, this surprising victory by such a small number of soldiers, parallels Gideon's victory in Judges 7. ▣ NASB, NRSV, REB, Peshitta "young men" "young leaders" "young soldiers" "guards" "aides" "the lads" The MT used the MASCULINE NOUN "lad" (BDB 654). Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, p. 220, suggests it denotes young cadets in training. YHWH will demonstrate His power by allowing these inexperienced soldiers to win the battle (like Gideon's men in Judges 7).
1 Reis 20:16-18
20:16 "drinking himself drunk" See NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 113-114 and SPECIAL TOPIC: ALCOHOL ‒ ALCOHOLISM.
1 Reis 20:19-21
20:20 This is a strange verse. It may suggest a surprise attack by a small group of non-professional soldiers a type of individual combat, like David and Goliath 20:21 Syria's military power was struck ‒ MT, NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA, Peshitta captured ‒ LXX, TEV, NJB, REB The UBS Text Project, p. 328, gives the first option a "C" rating (considerable doubt).
1 Reis 20:23-25
20:23 In the ANE, gods were limited to the region in which they were worshiped. The servants of Ben-hadad assumed YHWH was a regional fertility god (i.e., storm god of the mountains). Mt. Moriah Sinai/Horeb Mt. Ser Mt. Zion the mountain in the far north (i.e., Isa. 14:13) SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM 20:24 This implies that the thirty-two kings of v. 1 no longer fully supported Ben-hadad the separate small kingdoms united into one Syrian kingdom (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 410, #3)
1 Reis 20:26-30
20:26 "Aphek" There were several cities/forts by this name (BDB 67). The root may denote a strong fort. This one must be in the north located on a plain where Syria could use her chariots (cf. vv. 23-26). Probably this is the Aphek east of the Sea of Galilee, located on the main highway going north to Damascus on the Jezreel plain 20:27 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, JPSOA, Peshitta "like two little flocks of goats" "a pair of new-born goats" "like two flocks of goats" The NOUN (BDB 362; NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 303) occurs only here and its meaning is uncertain. Many commentators try to link it to the VERB (BDB 362) which means "to strip," but this does not make sense in this context. KB suggests that another root (i.e., Arabic) of the same three consonants means "to cause a premature birth" (KB 359 II, NEB, REB, Living Bible). Therefore, two undersized goats (i.e., looked weak and anemic). Again, the odds were on the enemies' side but YHWH was on Israel's side. 20:28 "into Your hand" This is a Hebrew idiom. SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND 20:29 "100,000 foot soldiers" This is an incredible number. Again, it is possibly a confusion of the term "thousand" (eleph). SPECIAL TOPIC: THOUSAND (eleph) 20:30 There has been speculation on what v. 30b means. Ben-hadad entered his inner chamber or private sanctuary (NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 398, #5) he ran from room to room he went underground (Josephus, Antiq. 8.14.3)
1 Reis 20:31-34
20:31 "sackcloth. . .ropes" Usually these were signs of mourning but here of surrender. The "ropes on heads" is unique to this passage. Its meaning is uncertain but is surely parallel to the symbolism of wearing sackcloth. It is possible that "around the neck" is meant as a means of taking prisoners into custody or exile (i.e., Assyrian and Egyptian wall art). SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES 20:32-33 Ahab spared Ben-hadad against YHWH's orders (cf. v. 42). Ahab even went so far as to make a covenant with Ben-hadad, which surely involved the Syrian deities. "Brothers" is an idiomatic reference to a covenant partner, not a kin issue (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:13). 20:33 NASB, NJB "took this as an omen" NRSV, TEV "watching for an omen" "for a favorable omen" JPSOA, LXX "divined" "soothsayer" The MT has the VERB (BDB 638 II, KB 690, Piel IMPERFECT; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 84) which denotes some type of divination by observing signs (cf. Gen. 30:27). ▣ "and quickly catching his word" This VERB (BDB 319, KB 318, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw) is found only here and its meaning is uncertain. Most translations assume an emendation from חלט to חלץ (BDB 322 I), which means "to snatch away." Some suggest a VERB from diplomatic Aramaic which means "to mix" (see Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 156). The servants "mixed" Ahab's designation of Ben-hadad with the sense that he would show mercy (i.e., brought him up into his chariot, v. 33). Those hearing King Ahab call Ben-hadad a "brother" caught the meaning of the word and knew he was not to be killed but become a covenant partner. 20:34 "covenant" This need for a covenant with Syria may have been related to Assyrian advance. Ahab wanted a buffer state. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT
1 Reis 20:35-43
20:35-43 This involves prophetic symbolism of the prophet as a wounded soldier. The first person the prophet addressed would not strike the prophet even though it was "by the word of the Lord." This resulted in his death by a lion. Obedience is crucial! The type of a prophetic use of a parable to elicit judgment is similar to Nathan and David in 2 Sam. 12:1-12. 20:35 "the sons of the prophets" The earliest form of the prophet was an ecstatic community group (i.e., 1 Sam. 19:20; 2 Kgs. 2:3-6,7,15; 4:1,38; 5:33; 6:1; 9:1). Josephus (Antiq. 8.14.5) identifies him as Micaiah (cf 1 Kings 22). ▣ "said to another" The MT has "said to his neighbor or fellow prophet" (BDB 945 II). The context implies one prophet spoke to another in YHWH's name. 20:36 The use of a lion as a means of YHWH's judgment for disobeying His word is also found in 1 Kgs. 13:24-25. SPECIAL TOPIC: LIONS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 20:37 This verse has the VERB "smite" (BDB 645, KB 697) in three forms. Hiphil IMPERATIVE Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw Hiphil INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE 20:39 "if for any reason he is missing" This is an intensified grammatical form (i.e., an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB of the same root and stem [i.e., BDB 823, KB 955, Niphal]). ▣ "your life shall be for his life or else you shall pay. . ." This seems to imply that the death penalty could be redeemed with money. This amount of redemption money is extravagant, since slaves could be purchased for about 30 shekels (i.e., Exod. 21:32). This highlights the parable context. Parables often use hyperbolic language to make a point (possibly like 7,000 in v. 15 and 100,000 in v. 29). ▣ "talent" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES, II. A. 1. 20:42 "devoted to destruction" This is the Hebrew term herem (BDB 356) used in the sense of that which is devoted/given to YHWH cannot be used by humans (i.e., Jericho, Joshua 7 and 1 Samuel 15). This is Holy War theology and terminology. SPECIAL TOPIC: CURSE 20:43 Ahab was unrepentant. He had seen YHWH work in marvelous victories twice but his heart was still hard (see NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 299, #5). Ahab represented all Israel. Their hard heartedness, even after the displays of YHWH's mercy and power, will bring a Divine response. YHWH will break His covenant with the northern tribes. They will go into exile by Assyria. These same two ADJECTIVES (BDB 71 and BDB 277) also appear in 1 Kgs. 21:4. Ahab was very moody if he did not get his way. SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF THE DIVIDED MONARCHY SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF ASSYRIA