The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room. The rest fled to AphekThe phrase "The rest fled to Aphek" indicates a retreat by the Aramean forces after a significant defeat. Aphek, a city of strategic importance, is mentioned several times in the Bible. Historically, Aphek was a site of numerous battles due to its location in the Jezreel Valley, a fertile and contested area. The Hebrew root for "fled" (נוס, nus) conveys a sense of panic and urgency, highlighting the desperation of the Arameans as they sought refuge. into the city
This phrase underscores the attempt of the Arameans to find safety within the fortified walls of Aphek. In ancient times, cities were often walled for protection against invaders. The act of fleeing "into the city" suggests a last resort, as the open battlefield had become untenable. The city walls, however, would soon prove to be a false sense of security. and the wall fell
The phrase "and the wall fell" is a dramatic turn of events. In the Hebrew text, the word for "fell" (נפל, naphal) can imply a sudden and catastrophic collapse. This unexpected disaster can be seen as an act of divine intervention, reminiscent of the fall of Jericho's walls in Joshua 6. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and power over human fortifications and plans. on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men
The specific number "twenty-seven thousand" emphasizes the scale of the disaster. This large number of casualties underscores the completeness of the Aramean defeat. In the context of ancient warfare, such a loss would have been devastating, both militarily and morally. It highlights the futility of opposing God's will, as even the strongest defenses can be brought down by His hand. And Ben-hadad also fled
The mention of "Ben-hadad also fled" indicates that even the king of Aram was not immune to the chaos and fear that gripped his forces. Ben-hadad, whose name means "son of Hadad" (a storm god), is portrayed as powerless in the face of Israel's God. His flight signifies the collapse of Aramean leadership and morale. to the city and hid in an inner room
The phrase "hid in an inner room" paints a picture of desperation and vulnerability. The inner room, likely a secure chamber within the city, was meant to be a place of safety. However, Ben-hadad's need to hide there reveals his fear and the complete reversal of his fortunes. This act of hiding contrasts sharply with the boldness he displayed earlier in the chapter, illustrating the humbling of a proud king before the might of the Lord. Persons / Places / Events 1. Ben-hadadThe king of Aram (Syria) who waged war against Israel. He is a central figure in this chapter, representing opposition to God's people. 2. AphekA city where the Arameans fled after their defeat. It becomes a place of judgment as the wall collapses on the fleeing soldiers. 3. The WallA significant element in the account, symbolizing God's intervention. Its collapse results in the death of many Aramean soldiers. 4. AhabThe king of Israel during this time, who is involved in the conflict with Ben-hadad and the Arameans. 5. The Aramean SoldiersRepresent the forces opposing Israel, ultimately defeated by divine intervention. Teaching Points Divine InterventionGod's power is evident in the miraculous collapse of the wall, reminding us that He can intervene in our lives in unexpected ways. Judgment and MercyThe destruction of the Aramean soldiers serves as a reminder of God's judgment against those who oppose Him, yet His mercy is available to those who seek Him. The Futility of Human PlansBen-hadad's defeat illustrates the futility of opposing God's will. We should align our plans with God's purposes. Seeking Refuge in GodUnlike Ben-hadad, who sought refuge in an inner room, we should seek refuge in God, our true fortress. God's SovereigntyThe event underscores God's sovereignty over nations and leaders, encouraging us to trust in His ultimate control over world events. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the collapse of the wall in Aphek demonstrate God's power and sovereignty? Can you think of a situation in your life where you witnessed God's intervention? 2. Compare the fall of the wall in Aphek with the fall of Jericho's walls. What do these events teach us about God's ability to deliver His people? 3. In what ways do we sometimes rely on our own strength or plans instead of trusting in God? How can we shift our focus to rely more on Him? 4. How does the account of Ben-hadad and the Arameans illustrate the consequences of opposing God's will? What lessons can we learn about aligning our lives with God's purposes? 5. Reflect on a time when you sought refuge in something other than God. How can you make God your primary refuge and strength in times of trouble? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 6The fall of Jericho's walls parallels the collapse of the wall in Aphek, both demonstrating God's power in delivering His people. Psalm 18:2Describes God as a fortress and deliverer, which is reflected in how God protects Israel in 1 Kings 20. Isaiah 31:1-3Warns against relying on human strength rather than God, a lesson evident in the defeat of the Arameans. People Ahab, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Israelites, SyriansPlaces Aphek, Damascus, Samaria, SyriaTopics Aphek, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Ben-ha'dad, Chamber, Chief, Collapsed, Entered, Escaped, Falleth, Fell, Fled, Flee, Flight, Hadad, Hid, Inner, Innermost, Rest, Room, Seven, Thousand, Town, Twenty, Twenty-seven, WallDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 20:30 5604 walls 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 20:30 NIV1 Kings 20:30 NLT1 Kings 20:30 ESV1 Kings 20:30 NASB1 Kings 20:30 KJV
1 Kings 20:30 Commentaries
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