Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Ben-Hadad heard this message while he and the kings were drinking in their tents, and he ordered his men: “Prepare to attack.” So they prepared to attack the city. New Living Translation Ahab’s reply reached Ben-hadad and the other kings as they were drinking in their tents. “Prepare to attack!” Ben-hadad commanded his officers. So they prepared to attack the city. English Standard Version When Ben-hadad heard this message as he was drinking with the kings in the booths, he said to his men, “Take your positions.” And they took their positions against the city. Berean Standard Bible Ben-hadad received this message while he and the kings were drinking in their tents, and he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” So they stationed themselves against the city. Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass at the hearing of this word—and he was drinking, he and the kings, in the booths—that he said to his servants, “Set yourselves.” And they set themselves against the city. King James Bible And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city. New King James Version And it happened when Ben-Hadad heard this message, as he and the kings were drinking at the command post, that he said to his servants, “Get ready.” And they got ready to attack the city. New American Standard Bible And when Ben-hadad heard this message, while he was drinking with the kings in the temporary shelters, he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” So they took their positions against the city. NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 And it came about when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking with the kings in the temporary shelters, that he said to his servants, “Station yourselves.” So they stationed themselves against the city. Legacy Standard Bible Now it happened that when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking with the kings in the booths, he said to his servants, “Station yourselves.” So they stationed themselves against the city. Amplified Bible When Ben-hadad heard this message, as he and the kings were drinking in the temporary shelters, he said to his servants, “Station yourselves.” So they stationed themselves against the city [of Samaria]. Berean Annotated Bible Ben-hadad received this message while he and the kings were drinking in their tents (in Succoth), and he said to his servants, “Take your positions. So they stationed themselves against the city. Christian Standard Bible When Ben-hadad heard this response, while he and the kings were drinking in their quarters, he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” So they took their positions against the city. Holman Christian Standard Bible When Ben-hadad heard this response, while he and the kings were drinking in the tents, he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” So they took their positions against the city. American Standard Version And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city. Contemporary English Version Meanwhile, Benhadad and the other kings had been drinking in their tents. But when Ahab's reply came, he ordered his soldiers to prepare to attack Samaria, and they all got ready. English Revised Version And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city. GOD'S WORD® Translation Benhadad heard this as he and his allies were drinking in their tents. He told his officers to get ready. So they got ready [to attack] the city. Good News Translation Benhadad received Ahab's answer as he and his allies, the other rulers, were drinking in their tents. He ordered his men to get ready to attack the city, and so they moved into position. International Standard Version Ben-hadad received Ahab's response while he was celebrating with his kings in the battle pavilions. "Sound 'Battle Stations!'" he ordered, and the army began to prepare their attack. NET Bible When Ben Hadad received this reply, he and the other kings were drinking in their quarters. He ordered his servants, "Get ready to attack!" So they got ready to attack the city. New Heart English Bible It happened, when Ben Hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, "Prepare to attack." They prepared to attack the city. Webster's Bible Translation And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBen-hadad received this message while he and the kings were drinking in their tents, and he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” So they stationed themselves against the city. World English Bible When Ben Hadad heard this message as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, he said to his servants, “Prepare to attack!” So they prepared to attack the city. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it comes to pass at the hearing of this word—and he is drinking, he and the kings, in the shelters—that he says to his servants, “Set yourselves”; and they set themselves against the city. Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass at the hearing of this word—and he was drinking, he and the kings, in the booths—that he said to his servants, “Set yourselves.” And they set themselves against the city. Young's Literal Translation And it cometh to pass at the hearing of this word -- and he is drinking, he and the kings, in the booths -- that he saith unto his servants, 'Set yourselves;' and they set themselves against the city. Smith's Literal Translation And it will be when he heard this word he was drinking, and the kings in the booths; and he will say to his servants, Set ye. And they will set against the city. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd it came to pass, when Benadad heard this word, that he and the kings were drinking in pavilions, and he said to his servants: Beset the city. And they beset it. Catholic Public Domain Version Then it happened that, when Benhadad had heard this word, he and the kings were drinking in a pavilion. And he said to his servants, “Encircle the city.” And they encircled it. New American Bible Ben-hadad was drinking in the pavilions with the kings when he heard this reply. He commanded his servants, “Get ready!”; and they got ready to storm the city. New Revised Standard Version When Ben-hadad heard this message—now he had been drinking with the kings in the booths—he said to his men, “Take your positions!” And they took their positions against the city. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when Bar-hadad heard this message as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, he said to his servants, Set yourselves in array against the city. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And when he heard this answer and he was drinking, and the Kings in huts, he said to his Servants: “Set an array against the city!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it came to pass, when [Ben-hadad] heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the booths, that he said unto his servants: 'Set yourselves in array.' And they set themselves in array against the city. Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass when he returned him this answer, he and all the kings with him were drinking in tents: and he said to his servants, Form a trench. And they made a trench against the city. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria…11And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’ ” 12 Ben-hadad received this message while he and the kings were drinking in their tents, and he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” So they stationed themselves against the city. Cross References Ben-hadad received this message 2 Kings 18:37 Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh. 2 Kings 19:1 On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. Jonah 3:6-7 When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. while he and the kings were drinking in their tents, Daniel 5:1-4 Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. / Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. / Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. … Esther 1:3-8 In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. / And for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness. / At the end of this time, in the garden court of the royal palace, the king held a seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest. … 1 Samuel 25:36-37 When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light. / In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him, and he became like a stone. and he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” 2 Chronicles 13:3 Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor. 2 Samuel 10:9-10 When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. Judges 20:33 So all the men of Israel got up from their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush charged from their positions west of Gibeah. So they stationed themselves against the city. 2 Kings 6:24-25 Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria. / So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver. Jeremiah 52:4-5 So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. / And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. 2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, David sent out Joab and his servants with the whole army of Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 6:8-23 Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” / Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful not to pass by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” / So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. … 2 Chronicles 18:28-34 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. / And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. / Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” … Isaiah 10:5-19 Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. / But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations. … Jeremiah 49:28-33 Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east! / They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’ / Run! Escape quickly! Lie low, O residents of Hazor,” declares the LORD, “for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has drawn up a plan against you; he has devised a strategy against you. … Treasury of Scripture And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city. young men. Genesis 14:14-16 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan… Judges 7:16-20 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers… 1 Samuel 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. order [heb] bind, or tie 1 Kings 18:44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. Jump to Previous Array Attack Attacking Ben Ben-Hadad Ben-Ha'dad Booths City Drinking Hadad Heard Kings Message Ordered Pavilions Position Positions Prepare Servants Shelters Station Stationed Temporary Tents Themselves YourselvesJump to Next Array Attack Attacking Ben Ben-Hadad Ben-Ha'dad Booths City Drinking Hadad Heard Kings Message Ordered Pavilions Position Positions Prepare Servants Shelters Station Stationed Temporary Tents Themselves Yourselves1 Kings 20 1. Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria13. By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain 22. As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek 28. By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again 31. The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant 35. The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner, 39. making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him Ben-hadad received this message Ben-hadad was the king of Aram (Syria), a frequent adversary of Israel. His reception of the message indicates a moment of decision-making in the midst of a military campaign. The context is a series of conflicts between Aram and Israel, highlighting the ongoing struggle for power in the region. This reflects the broader narrative of Israel's turbulent relations with neighboring nations. while he and the kings were drinking in their tents and he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” So they stationed themselves against the city. Persons / Places / Events 1. Ben-hadadThe king of Aram (Syria) who is leading a coalition of kings against Israel. His actions and decisions are central to the events in this chapter. 2. The Kings Allied kings who are with Ben-hadad, supporting his campaign against Israel. They are part of the coalition that threatens Israel. 3. The Tents The location where Ben-hadad and the kings are drinking, symbolizing a place of planning and decision-making, albeit in a state of revelry. 4. The Servants Those who carry out Ben-hadad's orders, representing the military force ready to act on his command. 5. The City Refers to Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which is under threat from Ben-hadad's forces. Teaching Points The Dangers of Complacency and IntoxicationBen-hadad's decision-making is impaired by his drinking, highlighting the importance of sobriety, especially in leadership and critical situations. The Importance of Preparedness The command to "Take your positions" underscores the need for readiness and strategic planning in spiritual and physical battles. The Consequences of Pride and Overconfidence Ben-hadad's arrogance, fueled by his alliances and perceived strength, leads to his downfall, reminding us of the biblical principle that pride precedes destruction. God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs Despite Ben-hadad's plans, the outcome is ultimately in God's hands, teaching us to trust in God's control over our circumstances. The Role of Leadership in Crisis The actions of leaders have significant impacts on their followers, emphasizing the responsibility of leaders to act wisely and righteously. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 20:12?2. How does 1 Kings 20:12 illustrate the consequences of pride and arrogance? 3. What can we learn about leadership from Ben-Hadad's actions in 1 Kings 20:12? 4. How does 1 Kings 20:12 connect with Proverbs 16:18 on pride's downfall? 5. How should Christians respond to threats, as seen in 1 Kings 20:12? 6. What practical steps can we take to avoid prideful behavior in our lives? 7. What does 1 Kings 20:12 reveal about the nature of pride and arrogance in leadership? 8. How does 1 Kings 20:12 illustrate the consequences of defying God's will? 9. What historical context is essential to understanding 1 Kings 20:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 20? 11. Is there external evidence outside the Bible confirming Israel's victories over Aram recorded in 1 Kings 20? 12. Are there any contradictions between 1 Samuel 4 and other biblical accounts regarding the fate of Eli's sons or the Ark's movements? 13. How plausible is it that just 232 junior officers could rout a massive Aramean army (1 Kings 20:15-21)? 14. If God 'rode upon a cherub' (Psalm 18:10), how does this align with the notion of a formless, omnipresent deity in other biblical passages? What Does 1 Kings 20:12 Mean Ben-hadad received this message“Ben-hadad received this message…” (1 Kings 20:12) • The Syrian king hears Ahab’s firm refusal to hand over all he owns (vv. 9-11). • God’s sovereignty stands behind every “message,” even one delivered through human resistance (cf. Proverbs 21:1; Genesis 50:20). • The immediate context shows Ben-hadad’s pride wounded; his reaction reveals the folly of trusting in human power instead of submitting to the LORD (Psalm 2:1-4). while he and the kings were drinking in their tents • The allied kings lounge in a war camp, numbing vigilance with drink (Isaiah 5:11-12). • Their self-indulgence contrasts with Israel’s besieged but sober defenders (1 Peter 5:8). • Scripture often pairs drunkenness with impending judgment: Noah’s son Ham (Genesis 9:21-24) and Belshazzar’s feast on the eve of Babylon’s fall (Daniel 5:1-6). • The detail underscores that God’s enemies can appear strong yet remain spiritually unprepared. and he said to his servants, “Take your positions.” • Ben-hadad rushes from revelry to command, attempting to mask insecurity with aggression (Proverbs 16:18). • Orders are barked, but no prayer is offered; contrast Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD before battle (2 Chronicles 20:3-12). • The phrase reflects a king trusting weaponry over wisdom, echoing Goliath’s confidence in armor rather than God (1 Samuel 17:45-47). So they stationed themselves against the city • The army moves into formation, humanly impressive yet divinely doomed (Psalm 33:16-17). • Verse 13 reveals God immediately counters with a prophet’s promise of victory for Ahab, highlighting that military positioning cannot override divine decree (2 Chronicles 32:7-8). • Their readiness sets the stage for the LORD to display His glory by rescuing Israel despite Ahab’s flaws, a pattern seen earlier at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-18). summary 1 Kings 20:12 illustrates the emptiness of proud planning divorced from God. While Ben-hadad feasts and then frantically orders his troops, the LORD is already orchestrating deliverance for Israel. The verse warns against self-reliance, highlights the peril of careless indulgence, and reassures believers that no enemy formation can prevail when God has decreed victory. Verse 12. - And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad [Heb. he] heard this message [Heb. word], as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions [Heb. booths. The word shows that, in lieu of tents, kings and generals on an expedition sometimes used leafy huts, like those of Israel (Leviticus 23:34, 42). Such booths, it is said, are still erected on military expeditions in the East], that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array [Heb. שִׂימוּ one short, decisive word. His indignation and astonishment were too great for more. We might perhaps render "Form." Cf. 1 Samuel 11:11; Joshua 8:2, 13; Job 1:17; Ezekiel 23:24. It cannot mean οἰκοδομήσατε χάρακα (LXX.)] And they set themselves in array [or formed. Again one word, which is more spirited and graphic, and conveys that the command was instantly obeyed] against the city.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ben-hadad receivedכִּשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ (kiš·mō·a‘) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently this הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that message הַדָּבָ֣ר (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause while he וְה֥וּא (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are and the kings וְהַמְּלָכִ֖ים (wə·ham·mə·lā·ḵîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4428: A king were drinking שֹׁתֶ֛ה (šō·ṯeh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8354: To imbibe in their tents, בַּסֻּכּ֑וֹת (bas·suk·kō·wṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 5521: A thicket, booth and he said וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to his servants, עֲבָדָיו֙ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant “Take your positions.” שִׂ֔ימוּ (śî·mū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set So they stationed themselves וַיָּשִׂ֖ימוּ (way·yā·śî·mū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the city. הָעִֽיר׃ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement Links 1 Kings 20:12 NIV1 Kings 20:12 NLT 1 Kings 20:12 ESV 1 Kings 20:12 NASB 1 Kings 20:12 KJV 1 Kings 20:12 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 20:12 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 20:12 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 20:12 French Bible 1 Kings 20:12 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 20:12 It happened when Ben Hadad heard this (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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