Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans. Then the king of Israel marched outThis phrase refers to King Ahab, who was the ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel during this period. Ahab's reign is often characterized by his conflicts with the prophets of Yahweh and his alliances with pagan nations. The act of marching out signifies a proactive military strategy, which was common in ancient Near Eastern warfare. This action follows a divine intervention where a prophet assured Ahab of victory, emphasizing God's sovereignty even over a king who often strayed from His commandments. and attacked the horses and chariots Horses and chariots were significant military assets in ancient warfare, symbolizing strength and technological advancement. The Arameans, also known as the Syrians, relied heavily on these for their military campaigns. By targeting these, Ahab aimed to cripple the Aramean forces' mobility and effectiveness. This tactic reflects a strategic approach to warfare, focusing on neutralizing the enemy's advantages. The use of chariots is also seen in other biblical battles, such as those involving the Egyptians, highlighting their importance in the ancient world. inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans The term "great slaughter" indicates a decisive and overwhelming victory. The Arameans were a formidable enemy, often at odds with Israel throughout the Old Testament. This victory can be seen as a fulfillment of the prophetic word given to Ahab, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness to His promises, even when working through imperfect leaders. The Arameans' defeat here foreshadows their continued struggles against Israel, as seen in later chapters and other biblical books. This event also serves as a reminder of the consequences of opposing God's chosen people, a theme recurrent in the Old Testament narrative. Persons / Places / Events 1. King of IsraelThis refers to King Ahab, who was the ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel during this time. Despite his reputation for idolatry and wickedness, God granted him victory over the Arameans. 2. ArameansA group of people from Aram, located in modern-day Syria. They were often in conflict with Israel and were led by King Ben-Hadad during this period. 3. Horses and ChariotsThese were significant military assets in ancient warfare, representing the strength and mobility of an army. The destruction of these assets was a major blow to the Aramean forces. 4. Great SlaughterThis phrase indicates a decisive and overwhelming victory for Israel, showcasing God's intervention and power in the battle. 5. Marching OutThis action by King Ahab signifies a proactive and bold move, demonstrating leadership and confidence in the face of the enemy. Teaching Points Divine Sovereignty in Human AffairsGod can use even flawed leaders to accomplish His purposes. Despite Ahab's shortcomings, God granted him victory to demonstrate His power and sovereignty. The Futility of Trusting in Human StrengthThe destruction of the Aramean chariots serves as a reminder that reliance on military might or human resources is futile without God's favor. God's Mercy and PatienceDespite Ahab's idolatry, God showed mercy by granting victory, illustrating His patience and desire for repentance. Leadership and CourageAhab's decision to march out against the Arameans demonstrates the importance of decisive leadership and courage in the face of adversity. The Importance of Obedience to God's WordThe victory was foretold by a prophet, underscoring the importance of listening to and obeying God's word for success in life's battles. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the victory over the Arameans in 1 Kings 20:21 demonstrate God's sovereignty, and what does this teach us about His control over our circumstances? 2. In what ways can we be tempted to rely on "horses and chariots" in our own lives, and how can we shift our trust to God instead? 3. Reflect on a time when God showed mercy in your life despite your shortcomings. How can this encourage you to extend mercy to others? 4. What qualities of leadership and courage can we learn from Ahab's actions in this passage, and how can we apply them in our own roles of influence? 5. How does the fulfillment of the prophet's words in this chapter encourage us to trust and obey God's word in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 20:13-14Earlier in the chapter, a prophet assures Ahab of victory, emphasizing that the battle's outcome is orchestrated by God to demonstrate His sovereignty. Exodus 14:23-28The destruction of the Egyptian chariots in the Red Sea parallels the defeat of the Aramean chariots, highlighting God's power over seemingly insurmountable military forces. Psalm 20:7This verse contrasts trust in chariots and horses with trust in the name of the Lord, reinforcing the theme of divine reliance over human strength. People Ahab, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Israelites, SyriansPlaces Aphek, Damascus, Samaria, SyriaTopics Aramaeans, Arameans, Captured, Charioteers, Chariots, Destruction, Heavy, Horses, Inflicted, Killed, Losses, Overpowered, Slaughter, Slew, Smiteth, Smiting, Smitten, Smote, Struck, Syrians, War-carriagesDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 20:21 5398 loss 1 Kings 20:13-21 1429 prophecy, OT fulfilment 1 Kings 20:20-21 4657 horse Library The Lost Opportunity TEXT: "And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it."--1 Kings 20:40. There is a very striking incident connected with this text. The great battle is raging, a certain important prisoner has been taken, and if you read between the lines you seem to know that upon him depend many of the issues of war. His skill in leading the enemy had been marvelous, his courage in the thick of the fight striking; … J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPutting on the Armour And the king of Israel answered and said. Tell him. Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.'--1 KINGS xx. 11. For the Young. Ahab, King of Israel, was but a poor creature, and, like most weak characters, he turned out a wicked one, because he found that there were more temptations to do wrong than inducements to do right. Like other weak people, too, he was torn asunder by the influence of stronger wills. On the one side he had a termagant of a wife, stirring … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Section Chap. I. -iii. The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, … Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Letter of the Synod to the Emperor and Empress. (Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VII., col. 577.) To our most religious and most serene princes, Constantine and Irene his mother. Tarasius, the unworthy bishop of your God-protected royal city, new Rome, and all the holy Council which met at the good pleasure of God and upon the command of your Christ-loving majesty in the renowned metropolis of Nice, the second council to assemble in this city. Christ our God (who is the head of the Church) was glorified, most noble princes, when your heart, … Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils Nature of the Renderings From the text we now turn to the renderings, and to the general principles that were followed, both in the Old and in the New Testament. The revision of the English text was in each case subject to the same general rule, viz. "To introduce as few alterations as possible into the Text of the Authorised Version consistently with faithfulness"; but, owing to the great difference between the two languages, the Hebrew and the Greek, the application of the rule was necessarily different, and the results … C. J. Ellicott—Addresses on the Revised Version of Holy Scripture The Practice of Piety in Glorifying God in the Time of Sickness, and when Thou Art Called to Die in the Lord. As soon as thou perceivest thyself to be visited with any sickness, meditate with thyself: 1. That "misery cometh not forth of the dust; neither doth affliction spring out of the earth." Sickness comes not by hap or chance (as the Philistines supposed that their mice and emrods came, 1 Sam. vi. 9), but from man's wickedness, which, as sparkles, breaketh out. "Man suffereth," saith Jeremiah, "for his sins." "Fools," saith David, "by reason of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, … Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Twelve Minor Prophets. 1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the … E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C. TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation … G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), … John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 20:21 NIV1 Kings 20:21 NLT1 Kings 20:21 ESV1 Kings 20:21 NASB1 Kings 20:21 KJV
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