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The prophet replied, &#8220This is what the LORD says: &#8216The junior officers under the provincial commanders will do it.&#8217&#8221 &#8220And who will start the battle?&#8221 he asked. The prophet answered, &#8220You will.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_kings/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> Ahab asked, “How will he do it?” And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: The troops of the provincial commanders will do it.” “Should we attack first?” Ahab asked. “Yes,” the prophet answered. <a href="/esv/1_kings/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Thus says the LORD, By the servants of the governors of the districts.” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” <a href="/bsb/1_kings/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “By whom?” Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. “You will,” answered the prophet. <a href="/kjv/1_kings/20.htm">King James Bible</a> And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou. <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/20.htm">New King James Version</a> So Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘By the young leaders of the provinces.’ ” Then he said, “Who will set the battle in order?” And he answered, “You.” <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But Ahab said, “By whom?” So he said, “The LORD says this: ‘By the young men of the leaders of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who will begin the battle?” And he said, “You will.” <a href="/nasb/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> Ahab said, &#8220By whom?&#8221 So he said, &#8220Thus says the LORD, &#8216By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.&#8217&#8221 Then he said, &#8220Who shall begin the battle?&#8221 And he answered, &#8220You.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Ahab said, “By whom?” So he said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” And he answered, “You.” <a href="/lsb/1_kings/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Ahab said, “By whom?” So he said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” And he said, “You.” <a href="/amp/1_kings/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘By the young men [the attendants or bodyguards] of the governors of the districts.’” Then Ahab said, “Who shall begin the battle?” And he answered, “You.” <a href="/csb/1_kings/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Ahab asked, “By whom? ” And the prophet said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young men of the provincial leaders.’ ” Then he asked, “Who is to start the battle? ” He said, “You.” <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Ahab asked, &#8220By whom?&#8221 And the prophet said, &#8220This is what the LORD says: &#8216By the young men of the provincial leaders.&#8217&#8221 Then he asked, &#8220Who is to start the battle?&#8221 He said, &#8220You.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_kings/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou. <a href="/cev/1_kings/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Who will fight the battle?" Ahab asked. The prophet answered, "The young bodyguards who serve the district officials." "But who will lead them into battle?" Ahab asked. "You will!" the prophet replied. <a href="/erv/1_kings/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Ahab asked, "How [will this be done]?" The prophet answered, "This is what the LORD says: by using the young officers of the district governors." "Who will start the battle?" Ahab asked. "You will," the prophet answered. <a href="/gnt/1_kings/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Who will lead the attack?" Ahab asked. The prophet answered, "The LORD says that the young soldiers under the command of the district governors are to do it." "Who will command the main force?" the king asked. "You," the prophet answered. <a href="/isv/1_kings/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> "By whom?" Ahab asked. "This is what the LORD says," the prophet replied. "'By the young men who serve as officials within the provinces.'" "Who is to begin the battle?" Ahab asked. "You," the prophet answered. <a href="/msb/1_kings/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?By whom?? Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, ?This is what the LORD says: ?By the young officers of the district governors.?? ?Who will start the battle?? asked Ahab. ?You will,? answered the prophet. <a href="/net/1_kings/20.htm">NET Bible</a> Ahab asked, "By whom will this be accomplished?" He answered, "This is what the LORD says, 'By the servants of the district governors.'" Ahab asked, "Who will launch the attack?" He answered, "You will." <a href="/nheb/1_kings/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the LORD, 'By the young men of the governors of the districts.'" Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You." <a href="/wbt/1_kings/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou. <a href="/web/1_kings/20.htm">World English Bible</a> Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Yahweh says, ‘By the young men of the princes of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Ahab says, “By whom?” And he says, “Thus said YHWH: By the young men of the heads of the provinces”; and he says, “Who directs the battle?” And he says, “You.” <a href="/ylt/1_kings/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Ahab saith, 'By whom?' and he saith, 'Thus said Jehovah, By the young men of the heads of the provinces;' and he saith, 'Who doth direct the battle?' and he saith, 'Thou.' <a href="/slt/1_kings/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Ahab will say, By whom? And he will say, Thus said Jehovah, By the boys of the chiefs of the provinces. And he will say, Who shall bind the war? And he will say, Thou.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Achab said: By whom? And he said to him: Thus saith the Lord: By the servants of the princes of the provinces. And he said: Who shall begin to fight? And he said: Thou. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said to him: “Thus says the Lord: By the footmen of the leaders of the provinces.” And he said, “Who should begin to do battle?” And he said, “You should.” <a href="/nabre/1_kings/20.htm">New American Bible</a> But Ahab asked, “Through whom will it be given over?” He answered, “The LORD says, Through the aides of the provincial governors.” Then Ahab asked, “Who is to attack?” He replied, “You are.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Thus says the LORD, By the young men who serve the district governors.” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Ahab said, By whom? And he said to him, By the young men and by the princes of the city. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You. <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Akhab said: “By whom?” And he said to him: “By the young men and by the Princes of the city.” And he said to him: who will first set the battle in array? He said to him: “You.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Ahab said: 'By whom?' And he said: 'Thus saith the LORD: By the young men of the princes of the provinces.' Then he said: 'Who shall begin the battle?' And he answered: 'Thou.' <a href="/sep/1_kings/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Achaab said, Whereby? And he said, Thus saith the Lord, by the young men of the heads of the districts. And Achaab said, Who shall begin the battle? and he said, Thou. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/20-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=7928" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_kings/20.htm">Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad</a> 13Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.’ ” 14<a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: bə·mî (Prep-b:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“By whom?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/256.htm" title="256: ’aḥ·’āḇ (N-proper-ms) -- Once oechab; from 'ach and 'ab; brother of father; Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon.">Ahab</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked.</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">And the prophet replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh- (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">“This is what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says:</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: bə·na·‘ă·rê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">‘By the young officers</a> <a href="/hebrew/4082.htm" title="4082: ham·mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A province. From diyn; properly, a judgeship, i.e. Jurisdiction; by implication, a district; generally, a region.">of the district</a> <a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śā·rê (N-mpc) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">governors.’”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/631.htm" title="631: ye’·sōr (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To tie, bind, imprison. A primitive root; to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle.">will start</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: ham·mil·ḥā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">the battle?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked Ahab.</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’āt·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">“You will,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">answered the prophet.</a> 15So Ahab assembled the young officers of the district governors, and there were 232 men. And after them, he assembled the rest of the Israelite troops, 7,000 in all.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/judges/7-7.htm">Judges 7:7</a> Then the LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped the water I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. But all the others are to go home.” <a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">1 Samuel 14:6</a> Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” <a href="/2_chronicles/14-11.htm">2 Chronicles 14:11</a> 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.” <a href="/2_chronicles/20-15.htm">2 Chronicles 20:15</a> And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. <a href="/isaiah/7-4.htm">Isaiah 7:4-7</a> and say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood—over the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. / For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted your ruin, saying: / ‘Let us invade Judah, terrorize it, and divide it among ourselves. Then we can install the son of Tabeal over it as king.’ ... <a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Isaiah 41:14-16</a> Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. / Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. / You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel. <a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a> So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/exodus/14-13.htm">Exodus 14:13-14</a> But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” <a href="/deuteronomy/20-1.htm">Deuteronomy 20:1-4</a> When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. / When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, / saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. ... <a href="/joshua/10-8.htm">Joshua 10:8</a> The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you.” <a href="/2_kings/6-16.htm">2 Kings 6:16-17</a> “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” / Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. <a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Psalm 20:7</a> Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. <a href="/psalms/33-16.htm">Psalm 33:16-17</a> 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. <a href="/psalms/44-6.htm">Psalm 44:6-7</a> 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. <a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a> What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus said the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, You.Ben-hadad<a href="/1_kings/20-11.htm">1 Kings 20:11,12</a> 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… <a href="/1_kings/16-7.htm">1 Kings 16:7</a> And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.<a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Proverbs 23:29-32</a> Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? … the thirty<a href="/isaiah/54-15.htm">Isaiah 54:15</a> Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/20-13.htm">Ahab</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-44.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-15.htm">Begin</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-23.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/1_kings/15-20.htm">Commanders</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-9.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/judges/5-16.htm">Districts</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-5.htm">Divisions</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-15.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-15.htm">Governors</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-27.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-27.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-33.htm">Order</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-22.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-13.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/acts/6-9.htm">Provinces</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-14.htm">Provincial</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-15.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-12.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/ruth/1-6.htm">Started</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-3.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/20-15.htm">Ahab</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-18.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-25.htm">Begin</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Commanders</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-22.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-15.htm">Districts</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Divisions</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-6.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-15.htm">Governors</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-27.htm">Order</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-15.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-15.htm">Provinces</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Provincial</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-15.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-24.htm">Started</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-15.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 20</div>1. <a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria</a> 13. <a href="/1_kings/20-13.htm">By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain</a> 22. <a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm">As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek</a> 28. <a href="/1_kings/20-28.htm">By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again</a> 31. <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant</a> 35. <a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner, </a> 39. <a href="/1_kings/20-39.htm">making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“By whom?” Ahab asked. Ahab, the king of Israel, is seeking guidance in a time of crisis. This question reflects his uncertainty and reliance on prophetic insight, a common practice in ancient Israel where kings often consulted prophets for divine direction. Ahab's inquiry shows his dependence on God's word, despite his previous idolatrous actions.And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: The prophet serves as God's mouthpiece, delivering a direct message from the LORD. This phrase underscores the role of prophets in Israel as intermediaries between God and His people. It highlights the authority of God's word, which is central to the narrative and decision-making process in Israel's history.‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” The young officers, likely inexperienced and not the usual choice for leading a battle, are chosen by God to demonstrate His power and sovereignty. This choice emphasizes that victory comes from the LORD, not human strength or conventional military strategy. It parallels other biblical instances where God uses the unlikely to achieve His purposes, such as David's victory over Goliath.“Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. Ahab's question reveals his concern about leadership and responsibility in the upcoming conflict. It reflects a common theme in Scripture where leaders seek assurance of God's presence and guidance before engaging in battle. This question also indicates Ahab's hesitance and need for confirmation of God's plan.“You will,” answered the prophet. The prophet's response places the responsibility directly on Ahab, signifying that he must take an active role in God's plan. This directive challenges Ahab to trust in God's promise and act in faith. It serves as a reminder that while God orchestrates events, human participation and obedience are often required to fulfill His purposes. This interaction can be seen as a test of Ahab's faith and willingness to follow God's command.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/ahab.htm">Ahab</a> The king of Israel, known for his idolatry and marriage to Jezebel. He is a central figure in this passage, seeking guidance for battle. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_prophet.htm">The Prophet</a> An unnamed prophet who delivers God's message to Ahab, indicating divine intervention and guidance in the battle against the Arameans. 3. <a href="/topical/y/young_officers_of_the_district_governors.htm">Young Officers of the District Governors</a> These are the individuals chosen by God to lead the battle, highlighting God's unconventional choice of leaders. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The God of Israel, who provides direction and assurance of victory, demonstrating His sovereignty and involvement in Israel's affairs. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_battle.htm">The Battle</a> The impending conflict between Israel and the Arameans, where God promises victory through unexpected means.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a> God often chooses unexpected leaders to fulfill His purposes, reminding us that His ways are higher than ours. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_divine_guidance.htm">Faith in Divine Guidance</a> Like Ahab, we must seek and trust God's guidance in our battles, knowing that He has a plan for victory. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a> Ahab's willingness to follow the prophet's instructions demonstrates the importance of obedience in achieving God's plans. <a href="/topical/g/god's_power_in_weakness.htm">God's Power in Weakness</a> The choice of young officers highlights that God can use anyone, regardless of status or experience, to accomplish His will. <a href="/topical/i/initiating_action_with_faith.htm">Initiating Action with Faith</a> Ahab's question, "Who will start the battle?" and the prophet's response, "You will," teaches us to take initiative in faith when God directs us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 20</a> <a href="/q/is_there_non-biblical_proof_of_israel's_win.htm">Is there external evidence outside the Bible confirming Israel's victories over Aram recorded in 1 Kings 20?</a> <a href="/q/is_'jezebel'_in_thyatira_literal_or_symbolic.htm">Revelation 2:20 - Was 'Jezebel' in Thyatira an actual prophetess, or is she purely symbolic, and how does this align or clash with other scriptural views on women's roles?</a> <a href="/q/does_1_kings_17_14_have_historical_proof.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological support for the miraculous provision of flour and oil (1 Kings 17:14), or does this story conflict with known evidence?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_indescribable_gift.htm">Will you come, Lord Jesus?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) Who shall order the battle?--The marginal reading seems right, "Who shall give battle?" "Who shall begin the fray?"<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 14. - And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the Lord [Observe the repetition. He is careful to give special prominence to the sacred name, as the only help in trouble (<a href="/psalms/20-1.htm">Psalm 20:1, 5, 7</a>, etc.)], Even by the young men [or servants - נַעַר has both meanings, corresponding with παῖς (cf. <a href="/genesis/37-2.htm">Genesis 37:2</a>; <a href="/2_kings/5-20.htm">2 Kings 5:20</a>; <a href="/2_kings/8-4.htm">2 Kings 8:4</a>] of the princes of the provinces. [The local governors (cf. <a href="/1_kings/4-7.htm">1 Kings 4:7</a>; <a href="/1_kings/10-15.htm">1 Kings 10:15</a>), on the approach of Ben hadad, had apparently fled to the capital. Whether these "young men" were their "pages" (Thenius), or even were "young lads" (Ewald) at all, or, on the contrary, a "select body of strong young men" (Bahr), the bodyguard of the various governors (<a href="/2_samuel/18-15.htm">2 Samuel 18:15</a>) (Von Gerlach), may be doubtful; but when Bahr says that Ahab would not have consented to appoint weak boys to lead the van, at least without remonstrance, he must have forgotten that all the ordinary means at Ahab's disposal were equally insufficient, and that in themselves 200 or 2000 tried veterans would have been just as inadequate a force as 200 pages. The agency by which the victory was won was purposely weak and feeble (per turbam imbellem), in order that the work might be seen to be of God (cf. <a href="/judges/7-2.htm">Judges 7:2</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27, 29</a>). And this consideration makes against the supposition that the attacking body was composed of tried and skilful warriors.] Then he said, Who shall order [Heb. bind; we speak of "joining battle"] the battle? [The meaning is - not, "who shall command this force," but, "which side shall begin the fray?"] And he answered, Thou [i.e., thy band of young men shall make the attack.] <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/20-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“By whom?” בְּמִ֔י (bə·mî) Preposition-b | Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix Ahab אַחְאָב֙ (’aḥ·’āḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_256.htm">Strong's 256: </a> Ahab -- 'father's brother', a king of Israel, also a false prophet asked. וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say And the prophet replied, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “This is what כֹּֽה־ (kōh-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says: אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say ‘By the young officers בְּנַעֲרֵ֖י (bə·na·‘ă·rê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer of the district הַמְּדִינ֑וֹת (ham·mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4082.htm">Strong's 4082: </a> A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region governors.’” שָׂרֵ֣י (śā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince “Who מִֽי־ (mî-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix will start יֶאְסֹ֥ר (ye’·sōr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_631.htm">Strong's 631: </a> To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle the battle?” הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה (ham·mil·ḥā·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> A battle, war asked [Ahab]. וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “You [will],” אָֽתָּה׃ (’āt·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you answered the prophet. וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/20-14.htm">1 Kings 20:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-14.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 20:14 Ahab said By whom? He said Thus (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/20-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 20:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/20-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 20:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>