1Ki 20:1-22, 2Ki 6:24, 13:3, 25, 2Ch 16:2 | TSK | STEP | Ben-hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria. By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain. As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians, trusting in the valleys, come against him in Aphek. By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again. The Syrians submitting themselves, Ahab sends Ben-hadad away with a covenant. The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner, making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him. A.M. 3103. B.C. 901. Ben-hadad. Thirty and two. and horses. besieged.

Let not him, etc.This was no doubt a proverbial mode of expression. Jonathan renders it: "Let not him who girds himself, and goes down to battle, boast as one who has conquered and returned from it."

1Sa 14:6,12,13; 17:44-47; Pr 27:1; Ec 9:11; Isa 10:15,16

Mt 26:33-35,75

harness.The word harness is an obsolete word for armour, derived from the French {harnois;} see Ex 13:18.

message. Heb. word. drinking.

16; 16:9; 1Sa 25:36; 2Sa 13:28; Pr 31:4,5; Da 5:2,30; Lu 21:34

Eph 5:18

pavilions. or, tents.That persons of regal dignity regaled themselves in this manner, we may learn from Dr. Chandler, who, when he went to visit the Aga of Suki, after his return from hawking, found him vexed and tired; and "a couch was prepared from him beneath a shed made against a cottage, and covered with green boughs to keep off the sun. He entered as we were standing by, and fell down on it to sleep, without taking any notice of us."

Jer 43:10

Set yourselves in array. And they set, etc. or, Place theengines. And they placed engines.

came. Heb. approached. Hast thou.

2Ki 6:8-12; 7:1; 13:23; Isa 7:1-9; Eze 20:14,22

and thou shalt.

28; 18:37; Ex 14:18; 16:12; Ps 83:18; Isa 37:20; Eze 6:7; Joe 3:17

young men. or, servants.

Ge 14:14-16; Jud 7:16-20; 1Sa 17:50; 1Co 1:27-29

order. Heb. bind, or tie.

18:44

two hundred.

Jud 7:7,16; 1Sa 14:6; 2Ch 14:11

seven thousand.

19:18; 1Sa 14:2; 2Ki 13:7; Ps 106:40-43

Ben-hadad.

11,12; 16:7; Pr 23:29-32; Ec 10:16,17; Ho 4:11

the thirty.

Isa 54:15The Syrians, the besiegers, had their directions from a drunken king, who gave orders over his cups, while he was drinking at noon. Drunkenness is a sin which is most detestable in all, but more so in a king than in a private individual, inasmuch as the greater weight a man's situation carries, whether from accumulated riches, family connections, hereditary authority, or invested command, so is the influence which his vices must have on those around him. Perhaps it may be said, from past experience, that drunkenness, which is a most heinous sin in the sight of God, may be charged on those who indulge only now and then in that which may eventually lead them into drunkenness; for they shut their eyes against the most palpable facts, and rather than give up the paltry gratification of a debauch, involve thousands by their example to positive harm. Benhadad's drunkenness was the forerunner of his fall. Belshazzar also, we read, drank wine with his princes, his wives, and his concubines, and praised the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone: and in the same hour came forth the finger of a man's hand and wrote his doom on the plaster of the wall. Those who fancy themselves perfectly secure, and above the possibility of falling, are commonly nearest their destruction: there is always an Ahab read to take advantage of and improve the self-imposed imbecility.

14,15,19

1Sa 2:3,4; 14:11,12; 17:44; 2Ki 14:8-12; Pr 18:12

they slew.

2Sa 2:16; Ec 9:11

the Syrians.

Le 26:8; Jud 7:20-22; 1Sa 14:13-15; 2Ki 7:6,7; Ps 33:16; 46:6

escaped.

1Sa 30:16,17; 2Ki 19:36

went out.

Jud 3:28; 7:23-25; 1Sa 14:20-22; 17:52; 2Ki 3:18,24

the prophet.

13,38; 19:10; 22:8; 2Ki 6:12