March 14, 2024 - AHAB REJECTS THE REQUESTS OF THE KING OF SYRIA (20:1-12): Ben-hadad of Syria and a confederation of 32 kings attacked Samaria. Ben-hadad sent messengers to Ahab claiming all of Ahab’s possessions as his own. Later, Ben-hadad told Ahab he was sending men into Samaria to spoil the city and take anything they wanted. At this, Ahab protested, and refused to let Ben-hadad proceed, so Ben-hadad readied his men to attack. AHAB’S FIRST BATTLE WITH THE SYRIANS (20:13-22):

20And they killed, each one, his man; and the Arameans fled and Israel pursued them, and Ben-hadad the king of Aram escaped on a horse with horsemen. 21The king of Israel also went out and struck the horses and chariots, and killed the Arameans ...

May 25, 2025 - 1 Kings 20 and 22 record a series of wars between an Aramean king, Ben-Hadad, and King Ahab of Israel. With the help of prophetic oracles, the Israelite king managed to repeatedly defeat an aggressive, arrogant and stronger enemy.

Benson Commentary1 Kings 20:22. Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see, &c. — Consider what is necessary for thee to do by way of preparation, and take care that nothing be wanting to oppose the designs of the Syrians against thee, who will certainly return and renew the fight next year.

I. Ahab here meditates a war against the Syrians, and advises concerning it with those about him, v. 3. The king of Syria gave him the provocation; when he lay at his mercy, he promised to restore him his cities (ch. 20:34), and Ahab foolishly took his word, when he ought not to have dismissed him till the cities were put into his possession.

The Syrians rallying again, and the second defeat Ahab gave them (v. 22-30). IV. The covenant of peace Ahab made with Ben-hadad, when he had him at his mercy (v. 31-34), for which he is reproved and threatened by a prophet (v. 35-43). ... I. The threatening descent which Ben-hadad made upon Ahab's kingdom, and the siege he laid to Samaria, his royal city, v.

The alliance of nations turn against each other and begin to kill each other (2Ch 20:22–23). The men of Judah spend three days collecting the spoils of war that were abandoned by their enemies (2Ch 20:25). Although Jehoshaphat started his reign by removing the idolatrous high places, at the end of his reign, there were still high places that had not been taken away (1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 20).

It seems that this time Ben-Hadad is attacking on his own without consideration for any treaty with Judah. And this time, although he had 32 kings helping him (1 Kings 20:1), he is defeated by King Ahab and the army of Israel. About three years later, Israel and Syria renew their conflict, leading to Ahab’s final battle and death (1 Kings 22)."

August 8, 2024 - In a time of uncertainty, King Ahab of Israel received a prophetic warning about an impending threat from Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria. This communication serves as a reminder that spiritual vigilance is essential, particularly when one assumes ...

January 31, 2025 - · He trained and equipped a sizeable army (2 Chronicles 17:14-19) that was able to quell a Transjordan invasion (2 Chronicles 20:1-30). · He placed Edom under Judean control, controlling an important caravan route to the south (2 Kings 3:8-27; 2 Chronicles 20:36).

18So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn’t I tell you he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster?" 19Then Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and the whole heavenly army was standing by him at his right hand and at his left hand. 20And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ So one was saying this and another was saying that.

Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.

1922.19: Is 6.1; Job 1.6Micaiah went on: “Now listen to what the LORD says! I saw the LORD sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him. 20The LORD asked, ‘Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and be killed at Ramoth?’ Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else, 21until a spirit stepped forward, approached the LORD, and said, ‘I will deceive him.’ 22‘How?’ the LORD asked.

21Then the king of Israel went out and destroyed the horses and chariots. Thus he inflicted a severe defeat on Aram. 22Then the prophet approached the king of Israel and said to him: “Go, regroup your forces.

1 Kings 20 demonstrates the sovereignty of God, reminding us that victory comes from Him and not from our might or numbers. It emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and shows us that showing mercy is noble, but it must be in accordance with God's divine justice · A Threat ...

October 29, 2013 - 21 And the king of Israel went ... great slaughter. 22 And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee....

January 31, 2025 - Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, and said to him, “Thus says Ben-Hadad: ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your loveliest wives and children are mine.’” And the king of Israel answered and said, “My lord, O king, just as you say, I and all that I have are yours.” Then the messengers came back and said, “Thus speaks Ben-Hadad, saying, ‘Indeed I have sent to you, saying, “You shall deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children”; but I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants.

(Read all of 1 Kings 20) Complete Concise · Benhadad besieges Samaria. (1-11) Benhadad's defeat. (12-21) The Syrians again defeated. (22-30) Ahab makes peace with Benhadad. (31-43) (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.

Then three years passed without war between Aram and Israel. However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to visit the king of Israel, who said to his servants, “Do you not know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed ...