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. The Israelites mobilizedThis phrase indicates a call to action and preparation for battle. The Hebrew root for "mobilized" is "אסף" (asaph), meaning to gather or assemble. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' readiness to defend their land and faith against a formidable enemy. It underscores the importance of unity and collective effort in the face of adversity, a principle that resonates with the Christian call to spiritual readiness and community support. gathered supplies
The act of gathering supplies suggests logistical preparation and foresight. In Hebrew, "supplies" can be linked to "צידה" (tsayidah), which refers to provisions or sustenance. This highlights the practical aspect of faith, where spiritual battles require both divine trust and practical preparation. It serves as a reminder that God often works through our diligent efforts and planning. went out to meet them
This phrase signifies courage and proactive engagement. The Israelites did not wait passively but took the initiative to confront their adversaries. The Hebrew verb "יצא" (yatsa) means to go out or come forth, indicating a deliberate action. This reflects the biblical principle of facing challenges head-on with faith and confidence in God's deliverance. The Israelites camped opposite them
Camping opposite the enemy shows strategic positioning and readiness for confrontation. The Hebrew word "חנה" (chanah) means to encamp or settle. This action demonstrates the Israelites' trust in God's guidance, as they positioned themselves according to divine strategy rather than human wisdom. It is a testament to the importance of aligning our actions with God's will. like two small flocks of goats
This simile emphasizes the Israelites' vulnerability and small numbers compared to their enemies. In Hebrew, "עזים" (izim) refers to goats, which are often seen as humble and defenseless. This imagery highlights the biblical theme of God using the weak to confound the strong, reminding believers that victory comes not by might, but by God's Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). while the Arameans covered the countryside
The Arameans' overwhelming presence is depicted by the phrase "covered the countryside." The Hebrew "מלא" (male) means to fill or cover, illustrating the vastness and intimidation of the enemy forces. This contrast sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, reinforcing the message that no matter how insurmountable the odds, God's power is sufficient to deliver His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, God's chosen nation, who are preparing for battle against the Arameans. 2. ArameansThe opposing army, led by Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, who are numerous and cover the countryside. 3. BattleThe impending conflict between the Israelites and the Arameans, highlighting the disparity in numbers and strength. 4. Two Small Flocks of GoatsA metaphor describing the Israelites' seemingly insignificant presence compared to the vast Aramean army. 5. CountrysideThe 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 FearThe Israelites' willingness to face a much larger army demonstrates faith over fear. We are called to trust God even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Divine PerspectiveThe 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 ObedienceThe Israelites mobilized and gathered supplies, showing the importance of preparation and obedience in following God's direction. God's SovereigntyThe vastness of the Aramean army versus the smallness of the Israelites highlights God's sovereignty and ability to control outcomes beyond human understanding. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the metaphor of "two small flocks of goats" challenge our perception of strength and power in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we prepare ourselves spiritually and practically when facing overwhelming challenges, as the Israelites did? 3. How can the account of Gideon in Judges 7 inspire us to trust in God's deliverance despite our limitations? 4. What are some modern-day "Aramean armies" that we face, and how can we apply Romans 8:31 to these situations? 5. How does understanding God's sovereignty help us to remain faithful and obedient in difficult circumstances? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 7The account of Gideon and his 300 men against the Midianites, illustrating how God can deliver victory despite overwhelming odds. 2 Chronicles 20Jehoshaphat's prayer and God's deliverance of Judah from a vast army, showing reliance on God in the face of insurmountable challenges. Psalm 23The imagery of God as a shepherd, providing and protecting His flock, even when they appear small and vulnerable. Romans 8:31The assurance that if God is for us, who can be against us, reinforcing the theme of divine support in adversity. People Ahab, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Israelites, SyriansPlaces Aphek, Damascus, Samaria, SyriaTopics Aramaeans, Arameans, Camped, Countryside, Covered, Encamp, Encamped, Filled, Flocks, Full, Goats, Got, Inspected, Israelites, Kids, Marched, Meet, Mustered, Numbered, Opposite, Pitched, Present, Provisioned, Provisions, Ready, Sons, Supported, Syrians, Tents, Themselves, VictualledDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 20:27 4847 smallness 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 20:27 NIV1 Kings 20:27 NLT1 Kings 20:27 ESV1 Kings 20:27 NASB1 Kings 20:27 KJV
1 Kings 20:27 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
