Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the Israelites were also mustered and given provisions, they marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped opposite them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside. New Living Translation Israel then mustered its army, set up supply lines, and marched out for battle. But the Israelite army looked like two little flocks of goats in comparison to the vast Aramean forces that filled the countryside! English Standard Version And the people of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went against them. The people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country. Berean Standard Bible The Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside. King James Bible And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. New King James Version And the children of Israel were mustered and given provisions, and they went against them. Now the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, while the Syrians filled the countryside. New American Standard Bible And the sons of Israel were mustered and given provisions, and they went to meet them; and the sons of Israel camped opposite them like two little flocks of goats, while the Arameans filled the country. NASB 1995 The sons of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went to meet them; and the sons of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Arameans filled the country. NASB 1977 And the sons of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went to meet them; and the sons of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Arameans filled the country. Legacy Standard Bible Now the sons of Israel were mustered and were provided for and went to meet them; and the sons of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Arameans filled the land. Amplified Bible The sons of Israel were counted and given provisions, and they went to meet them. The Israelites camped before the enemy like two little flocks of goats [with everything against them, except God], and the Arameans filled the country. Christian Standard Bible The Israelites mobilized, gathered supplies, and went to fight them. The Israelites camped in front of them like two little flocks of goats, while the Arameans filled the landscape. Holman Christian Standard Bible The Israelites mobilized, gathered supplies, and went to fight them. The Israelites camped in front of them like two little flocks of goats, while the Arameans filled the landscape. American Standard Version And the children of Israel were mustered, and were victualled, and went against them: and the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. Contemporary English Version The Israelites also prepared to fight. They marched out to meet the Syrians, and the two armies camped across from each other. The Syrians covered the whole area, but the Israelites looked like two little flocks of goats. English Revised Version And the children of Israel were mustered, and were victualled, and went against them: and the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. GOD'S WORD® Translation When the Israelite [troops] had been organized and given provisions, they went to meet the enemy. The Israelites, while camped opposite the Arameans who filled the country, seemed like two newborn goats. Good News Translation The Israelites were called up and equipped; they marched out and camped in two groups facing the Syrians. The Israelites looked like two small flocks of goats compared to the Syrians, who spread out over the countryside. International Standard Version The Israelis were mustered, equipped with provisions, and sent out to fight. The Israeli encampment looked like two little flocks of goats compared to how the Aramean encampments filled the countryside! NET Bible When the Israelites had mustered and had received their supplies, they marched out to face them in battle. When the Israelites deployed opposite them, they were like two small flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the land. New Heart English Bible The children of Israel were mustered, and were provisioned, and went against them. The children of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of young goats; but the Arameans filled the country. Webster's Bible Translation And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside. World English Bible The children of Israel were mustered and given provisions, and went against them. The children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of young goats, but the Syrians filled the country. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the sons of Israel have been inspected, and supported, and go to meet them, and the sons of Israel encamp before them, like two flocks of goats, and the Arameans have filled the land. Young's Literal Translation and the sons of Israel have been inspected, and supported, and go to meet them, and the sons of Israel encamp before them, like two flocks of goats, and the Aramaeans have filled the land. Smith's Literal Translation And the sons of Israel were reviewed, and were nourished, and they will go up to their meeting: and the sons of Israel will encamp over against them as two flocks of she goats; and Aram filled the land. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the children of Israel were mustered, and taking victuals went out on the other side, and camped over against them, like two little hocks of goats: but the Syrians filled the land. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the sons of Israel were numbered, and taking provisions, they set out to the opposite side. And they stretched out the camp facing them, like two little flocks of goats. But the Syrians filled the land. New American Bible The Israelites, too, were mustered and supplied with provisions; then they went out to meet the enemy. The Israelites, encamped opposite, looked like little flocks of goats, while Aram covered the land. New Revised Standard Version After the Israelites had been mustered and provisioned, they went out to engage them; the people of Israel encamped opposite them like two little flocks of goats, while the Arameans filled the country. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the children of Israel were mustered and set in array against them, like two little flocks of goats; but the Arameans filled the country. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the sons of Israel were numbered and were arrayed, and they stood against them as two flocks of kids of goats, and the Edomites filled the land. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the children of Israel were mustered, and were victualled, and went against them; and the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Arameans filled the country. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the children of Israel were numbered, and came to meet them: and Israel encamped before them as two little flocks of goats, but Syria filled the land. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Another War with Ben-hadad26In the spring, Ben-hadad mobilized the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. 27The Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside. 28Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ”… Cross References Judges 7:12 Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore. 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 Chronicles 14:9-12 Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah. / So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. / Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.” ... 2 Chronicles 20:12 Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him. / With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. Isaiah 37:36 Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 33:16-17 No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. / A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save. Psalm 44:6-7 For I do not trust in my bow, nor does my sword save me. / For You save us from our enemies; You put those who hate us to shame. Psalm 60:11-12 Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. / With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies. Psalm 118:8-9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. / It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Proverbs 21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD. Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence. Treasury of Scripture And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. seven days Joshua 6:15 1 Samuel 17:16 Psalm 10:16 an hundred thousand 2 Samuel 10:18 2 Chronicles 13:17 2 Chronicles 20:23-25 Jump to Previous Aramaeans Arameans Camped Children Country Countryside Covered Encamped Filled Flocks Food Full Goats Israel Israelites Kids Little Marched Meet Mustered Numbered Opposite Pitched Present Provisions Ready Small Syrians Tents Themselves TogetherJump to Next Aramaeans Arameans Camped Children Country Countryside Covered Encamped Filled Flocks Food Full Goats Israel Israelites Kids Little Marched Meet Mustered Numbered Opposite Pitched Present Provisions Ready Small Syrians Tents Themselves Together1 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 The Israelites also mobilized The Israelites, under King Ahab, were preparing for battle against the Arameans. This mobilization indicates a response to a threat, reflecting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Aram. Mobilization in ancient times involved gathering troops, weapons, and resources, often requiring divine guidance and leadership, as seen in other biblical battles (e.g., Judges 7 with Gideon). gathered supplies and marched out to meet them The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats while the Arameans covered the countryside Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, God's chosen nation, who are preparing for battle against the Arameans. 2. Arameans The opposing army, led by Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, who are numerous and cover the countryside. 3. Battle The impending conflict between the Israelites and the Arameans, highlighting the disparity in numbers and strength. 4. Two Small Flocks of Goats A metaphor describing the Israelites' seemingly insignificant presence compared to the vast Aramean army. 5. Countryside The location of the battle, emphasizing the vastness of the Aramean forces. Teaching Points God's Power in WeaknessDespite their small numbers, the Israelites' strength lies in their reliance on God. This teaches us that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Faith Over Fear The Israelites' willingness to face a much larger army demonstrates faith over fear. We are called to trust God even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Divine Perspective The metaphor of "two small flocks of goats" reminds us to see our situations from God's perspective, where He can turn the insignificant into significant. Preparation and Obedience The Israelites mobilized and gathered supplies, showing the importance of preparation and obedience in following God's direction. God's Sovereignty The vastness of the Aramean army versus the smallness of the Israelites highlights God's sovereignty and ability to control outcomes beyond human understanding. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 20How plausible is it that just 232 junior officers could rout a massive Aramean army (1 Kings 20:15-21)? Does the claim that 100,000 Aramean foot soldiers were struck down in one day align with any historical or archaeological data (1 Kings 20:29)? Could a single city wall realistically collapse and kill 27,000 men, as the text asserts (1 Kings 20:30)? What does 'God of the hills and valleys' mean?(27) Were all present.--The marginal reading "were victualled," or, perhaps, more generally, "were supplied," with all things necessary for war, seems correct. The comparatively small number of the Israelite forces, even after the great victory of the year before, appears to show that, previous to the siege of Samaria, Ahab had suffered some great defeats, which had broken the strength of Israel.Verse 27. - And the children of Israel were numbered [lit., numbered themselves. Hith-pael], and were all present [Rather, and were provided with food, כּוּל = to nourish. The Alex. LXX. inserts καὶ διοικήθησαν. Vulgate accepetis cibariis. Marg. were victualled. This word of itself suggests that they were at a distance from their capital or other city], and went against them [Heb. to meet them]: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks חֲשִׂיפstrictly means separate& It is rightly translated "little flocks" (not "flocks," Rawlinson ), because the idea is that of two bands of stragglers separated from the main body of the flock. So the Vulgate, duo parvi greges caprarum; but LXX., δύο ποίμνια άγὧν. Ewald thinks the "two flocks" points to an an auxiliary fores furnished by Jehoshaphat, fighting with Israel. He also thinks goats are mentioned to convey the exalted position of the camp upon the hills. Flocks of goats as a rule are smaller than those of sheep, the former being more given to straying] of kids [lit., she-goats. "These flocks pasture mostly on the cliffs, and are smaller than the flocks of sheep" (Bahr)]; but the Syrians filled the country. [The whole plain swarmed with their legions in striking contrast to the two insignificant Bodies of Israelites.] Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The Israelitesוּבְנֵ֣י (ū·ḇə·nê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son also mobilized, הָתְפָּקְדוּ֙ (hā·ṯə·pā·qə·ḏū) Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit gathered supplies, וְכָלְכְּל֔וּ (wə·ḵā·lə·kə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3557: To keep in, to measure, to maintain and marched out וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk to meet them. לִקְרָאתָ֑ם (liq·rā·ṯām) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way The Israelites בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son camped וַיַּחֲנ֨וּ (way·ya·ḥă·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp before them נֶגְדָּ֗ם (neḡ·dām) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before like two כִּשְׁנֵי֙ (kiš·nê) Preposition-k | Number - mdc Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number) small flocks חֲשִׂפֵ֣י (ḥă·śi·p̄ê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 2835: Drawn off, separated, a small company of goats, עִזִּ֔ים (‘iz·zîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 5795: Female goat while the Arameans וַאֲרָ֖ם (wa·’ă·rām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria covered מִלְא֥וּ (mil·’ū) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of the countryside. הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Links 1 Kings 20:27 NIV1 Kings 20:27 NLT 1 Kings 20:27 ESV 1 Kings 20:27 NASB 1 Kings 20:27 KJV 1 Kings 20:27 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 20:27 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 20:27 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 20:27 French Bible 1 Kings 20:27 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 20:27 The children of Israel were mustered (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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