1 Kings 20

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 20 of 22

¹ And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

² And he sent messengers to Ahab the king of Israel, to the city, and said to him, So says Ben-hadad,

³ Your silver and your gold are mine, and your wives and your sons, the best, are to me.

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Chapter Summary

Ben-hadad besieges Samaria. a prophet tells how to defeat them. Forewarned Ahab, the Syrians are smitten again. The Syrians submitting themselves, Ahab sends Ben-hadad away with a covenant.

Key Hebrew Words

חֵ֫רֶם devoted to destruction H2764 · TWOT 745a

בְּרִית covenant H1285 · TWOT 282a

נָבִיא prophet H5030 · TWOT 1277a

מִלְחָמָה battle H4421 · TWOT 1104c

חֶ֫סֶד mercy, kindness H2617 · TWOT 698a

נָכָה strike, smite H5221 · TWOT 1364

People & Context

Ahab

King of Israel besieged by Ben-hadad; twice given victory by Jehovah, then rebuked for sparing Ben-hadad

Ben-hadad

King of Syria who besieges Samaria with thirty-two kings; defeated twice and spared by Ahab

Timeline

Ben-hadad Besieges Samaria

Ben-hadad of Syria besieges Samaria and arrogantly demands Ahab's wives, children, and wealth. Ahab and the elders refuse.

1 Kings 20:1-12

Israel Defeats Syria

A prophet promises Ahab victory. Ahab sends out 232 young men followed by 7,000 Israelites, successfully routing the drunken Syrians.

1 Kings 20:13-22

The Battle of Aphek

Syria returns the next year to fight in the plains. A prophet assures Ahab of victory; Israel strikes 100,000 Syrians, and a wall crushes 27,000 more.

1 Kings 20:23-30

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Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

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