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border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm" title="1 Kings 20:20">◄</a> 1 Kings 20:21 <a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm" title="1 Kings 20:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_kings/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />However, the king of Israel destroyed the other horses and chariots and slaughtered the Arameans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots, and struck the Syrians with a great blow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the king of Israel went out and attacked the horses and chariots, and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The king of Israel also went out and struck the horses and chariots, and killed the Arameans in a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots, and killed the Arameans with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots, and killed the Arameans with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the king of Israel went out and struck down the horses and chariots, and struck the Arameans with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The king of Israel went out and struck [the riders of] the horses and chariots, and killed the Arameans in a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the cavalry and the chariots. He inflicted a severe slaughter on Aram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the cavalry and the chariots. He inflicted a great slaughter on Aram. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />but Ahab and his soldiers followed them and captured their horses and chariots. Ahab and Israel's army crushed the Syrians. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The king of Israel went out and destroyed the horses and chariots and decisively defeated the Arameans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />King Ahab took to the field, captured the horses and chariots, and inflicted a severe defeat on the Syrians. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The king of Israel went out and attacked the cavalry and chariots and killed the Arameans in a massive victory. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then the king of Israel marched out and struck down the horses and chariots; he thoroughly defeated Syria. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The king of Israel went out, and struck the horses and chariots, and killed the Arameans with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots, and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the king of Israel goes out, and strikes the horses, and the charioteers, and has struck among the Arameans a great striking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the king of Israel goeth out, and smiteth the horses, and the charioteers, and hath smitten among the Aramaeans a great smiting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the king of Israel will go forth and strike the horse and the chariot, and he struck upon Aram a great blow.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But the king of Israel going out overthrew the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But the king of Israel, going out, struck the horses and the chariots, and he struck the Syrians with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then the king of Israel went out and destroyed the horses and chariots. Thus he inflicted a severe defeat on Aram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The king of Israel went out, attacked the horses and chariots, and defeated the Arameans with a great slaughter.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the king of Israel went out and destroyed the horses and chariots, and slew the Arameans with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the King of Israel went out and destroyed horses and chariots, and he struck Edom with a very great slaughter.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Arameans with a great slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the king of Israel went forth, and took all the horses and the chariots, and smote <i>the enemy</i> with a great slaughter in Syria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/20-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=8014" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/20.htm">Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>and each one struck down his opponent. So the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with the cavalry. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">Then the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: way·yê·ṣê (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">marched out</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: way·yaḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">and attacked</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5483.htm" title="5483: has·sūs (Art:: N-ms) -- A swallow, swift (type of bird). Or cuc; from an unused root meaning to skip; a horse; also a swallow.">the horses</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7393.htm" title="7393: hā·rā·ḵeḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- From rakab; a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. The upper millstone.">and chariots,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: wə·hik·kāh (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">inflicting</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh (Adj-fs) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/4347.htm" title="4347: mak·kāh (N-fs) -- A blow, wound, slaughter. Or makkeh; from nakah; a blow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence.">slaughter</a> <a href="/hebrew/758.htm" title="758: ḇa·’ă·rām (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- Syria and its inhab., also the names of a son of Shem, a grandson of Nahor, and an Isr. ">on the Arameans.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, “Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/13-7.htm">2 Kings 13:7</a></span><br />Jehoahaz had no army left, except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, because the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-23.htm">2 Kings 6:23</a></span><br />So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-6.htm">2 Kings 7:6-7</a></span><br />For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” / Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/8-28.htm">2 Kings 8:28-29</a></span><br />Then Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, and the Arameans wounded Joram. / So King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/13-25.htm">2 Kings 13:25</a></span><br />Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the cities that Hazael had taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad three times, and so recovered the cities of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/14-25.htm">2 Kings 14:25-27</a></span><br />This Jeroboam restored the boundary of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word that the LORD, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher. / For the LORD saw that the affliction of the Israelites, both slave and free, was very bitter. There was no one to help Israel, / and since the LORD had said that He would not blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/18-30.htm">2 Chronicles 18:30-32</a></span><br />Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” / When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him. / And when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-22.htm">2 Chronicles 20:22-23</a></span><br />The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-1.htm">Isaiah 7:1-9</a></span><br />Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city. / When it was reported to the house of David that Aram was in league with Ephraim, the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind. / Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct that feeds the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-36.htm">Isaiah 37:36-37</a></span><br />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! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/46-15.htm">Jeremiah 46:15-16</a></span><br />Why have your warriors been laid low? They cannot stand, for the LORD has thrust them down. / They continue to stumble; indeed, they have fallen over one another. They say, ‘Get up! Let us return to our people and to the land of our birth, away from the sword of the oppressor.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/30-21.htm">Ezekiel 30:21-22</a></span><br />“Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. See, it has not been bound up for healing, or splinted for strength to hold the sword. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong one and the one already broken, and will make the sword fall from his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-20.htm">Matthew 12:20</a></span><br />A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-51.htm">Luke 1:51-52</a></span><br />He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. / He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31-32</a></span><br />Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/20-28.htm">1 Kings 20:28</a></b></br> And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD <i>is</i> God of the hills, but he <i>is</i> not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></b></br> For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/4-8.htm">1 Samuel 4:8</a></b></br> Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these <i>are</i> the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">Advanced</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Aramaeans</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Arameans</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-18.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-18.htm">Charioteers</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">Chariots</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-14.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-13.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-45.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-14.htm">Inflicted</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/job/42-10.htm">Losses</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-23.htm">Overpowered</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-40.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-10.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-7.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-16.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-11.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Syrians</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-9.htm">War-Carriages</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/24-10.htm">Advanced</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-26.htm">Aramaeans</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-26.htm">Arameans</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-22.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">Charioteers</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">Chariots</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-25.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-28.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-43.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-4.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-15.htm">Inflicted</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-29.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-17.htm">Losses</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-32.htm">Overpowered</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-14.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-29.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-37.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-37.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-37.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-26.htm">Syrians</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">War-Carriages</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/20-13.htm">By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm">As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/20-28.htm">By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/20-39.htm">making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Then the king of Israel marched out</b><br>This 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.<p><b>and attacked the horses and chariots</b><br>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.<p><b>inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans</b><br>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.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_of_israel.htm">King of Israel</a></b><br>This 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/arameans.htm">Arameans</a></b><br>A 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.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/horses_and_chariots.htm">Horses and Chariots</a></b><br>These 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.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/great_slaughter.htm">Great Slaughter</a></b><br>This phrase indicates a decisive and overwhelming victory for Israel, showcasing God's intervention and power in the battle.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/marching_out.htm">Marching Out</a></b><br>This action by King Ahab signifies a proactive and bold move, demonstrating leadership and confidence in the face of the enemy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">Divine Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>God can use even flawed leaders to accomplish His purposes. Despite Ahab's shortcomings, God granted him victory to demonstrate His power and sovereignty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_trusting_in_human_strength.htm">The Futility of Trusting in Human Strength</a></b><br>The destruction of the Aramean chariots serves as a reminder that reliance on military might or human resources is futile without God's favor.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy_and_patience.htm">God's Mercy and Patience</a></b><br>Despite Ahab's idolatry, God showed mercy by granting victory, illustrating His patience and desire for repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_courage.htm">Leadership and Courage</a></b><br>Ahab's decision to march out against the Arameans demonstrates the importance of decisive leadership and courage in the face of adversity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience_to_god's_word.htm">The Importance of Obedience to God's Word</a></b><br>The victory was foretold by a prophet, underscoring the importance of listening to and obeying God's word for success in life's battles.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_232_officers_defeat_a_large_army.htm">How plausible is it that just 232 junior officers could rout a massive Aramean army (1 Kings 20:15-21)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_ahab_seek_micaiah's_counsel.htm">In 1 Kings 22:6-8, why does Ahab distrust Micaiah's prophecies but still seek his counsel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_1_kings_20_and_other_texts_on_ahab_compare.htm">How do the details of King Ahab's military campaigns in 1 Kings 20 align or conflict with other biblical passages about his reign?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - And the king of Israel went out [It looks as if Ahab had remained within the city until the defeat of the Syrians was assured], <span class="cmt_word">and smote</span> [LXX. <span class="greek">καὶ ἐλαβε</span>, <span class="accented">and captured</span>] <span class="cmt_word">the horses and chariots</span> [<span class="accented">i.e.</span>, the cavalry and chariotry; cf. ver. 1], <span class="cmt_word">and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.</span> [Heb. <span class="accented">in Syria a great</span>, etc.] <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/20-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then the king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֣לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">marched out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּצֵא֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and attacked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the horses</span><br /><span class="heb">הַסּ֖וּס</span> <span class="translit">(has·sūs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5483.htm">Strong's 5483: </a> </span><span class="str2">A swallow, swift (type of bird)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and chariots,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרָ֑כֶב</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā·ḵeḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7393.htm">Strong's 7393: </a> </span><span class="str2">A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone</span><br /><br /><span class="word">inflicting</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִכָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hik·kāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a great</span><br /><span class="heb">גְדוֹלָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">slaughter</span><br /><span class="heb">מַכָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(mak·kāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4347.htm">Strong's 4347: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wound, carnage, pestilence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the Arameans.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַאֲרָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḇa·’ă·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_758.htm">Strong's 758: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aram -- Syria</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/20-21.htm">1 Kings 20:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/20-21.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 20:21 The king of Israel went out (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 20:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 20:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:22" /></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>