Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 20

AND Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together , and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.

Called Adad by Iosephus, and Ader by the LXX, and Ad[illegible: 1+ letters]res by Iustin; such changes of names being usual in their Translations into other Languages, and by other Authors.

To War against Israel: wherein his design was to amplify the Conquests which his Father had made, chap. 15. 20. but Gods design was to punish Israel for their Apostacy and Idolatry.

Petty Kings, such as were in Canaan in Ioshua's time, who indeed were no more than Governours of Cities or small Territories. These were either Subject or Tributary to Benhadad, or hired by him.

3 Thy silver and thy gold is mine , thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest are mine.

I challenge them as my own, and accordingly expect to have them forthwith delivered into my possession, if thou expectest peace with me.

4 And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have .

I do so far comply with thy demand, that I will own thee for my Lord, and my self for thy Vassal and Tributary; and will hold my Wives, and Children, and Estate, as by thy favour, and with an acknowledgment. But it is not likely that he would deliver up his Wives and Children into the Barbarians hand, or that his proud and imperious Wife Iezabel would permit him to do so.

5 And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Ben-hadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children :

Although I did before demand not onely the dominion of thy Treasures, and Wives, and Children, as thou maist seem to understand me, but also the Propriety and actual Possession of them; wherewith I would then have been contented:

6 Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away .

Yet now I will not accept of those terms, but together with thy Royal Treasures, I expect all the Treasures of thy Servants or Subjects; nor will I wait till thou deliver them to me, but I will send my Servants into the City, and they shall have free liberty and power to search out and take away all which they desire, and this to prevent fraud and delay; and then I will grant thee a peace.

Marginal references: Heb. desirable.

7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land , and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief : for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I denied him not .

Whose counsel and concurrence he now desires in his distress.

Though he pretended Peace, and a Friendly Agreement upon these terms propounded, it is apparent by those additional demands, That he intends nothing less than our utter ruin.

I granted his demands in the sense before mentioned.

Marginal references: Heb. I kept not back fr[illegible: 1+ letters] him.

9 Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Ben-hadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first, I will do: but this thing I may not do . And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.

If I would do it, I cannot, because my people will not suffer it.

10 And Ben-hadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me

If I do not assault thy City with so potent and numerous an Army, that shall turn all thy City into an heap of Dust, and shall be sufficient to carry it all away, though every Soldier take but one handful of it; See the like boast, 2 Sam. 17. 13.

Marginal references: Chap. 19. 2.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] my feet.

11▪ [illegible: 1+ letters]nd the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harnes[illegible: 1+ letters], boast himself, as he that putteth it off .

Do not Triumph before the Fight and Victory, for the Events of War are uncertain.

12 And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message (as he was drinking, he, and the kings in the pavilions) that he said unto his servants, Set your selves in array : And they set themselves in array against the city.

Put your selves and Engines in order, to make the Assault.

Marginal references: Heb. Word.; Or, Tents.; Or, Place the E[illegible: 1+ letters]. And they placed E[illegible: 1+ letters].

13 ¶ And behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD , Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD .

Who having hid himself before, now ventures to come to Ahab, having this welcome Message in his Mouth.

God, though forsaken and neglected by Ahab, prevents him with his gracious promise of help; partly, That Ahab and the Idolatrous Israelites, might hereby be fully convinced and won to God, or left without all Excuse: and partly, that Benhadad's intollerable Pride, and Contempt of God, and of his People, might be repressed and punished: and partly, that the remnant of his Prophets and People who were involved in the same Calamity with the rest of the Israelites, might be preserved and delivered.

And not Baal, because I will deliver thee, which he cannot do.

Marginal references: Heb. approached.

14 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 Battel? And he answered, Thou .

Not by Old and Experienced Soldiers, but by those Young Men; either the Sons of the Princes, and great men of the Land, who were generally fled thither for safety; or their Pages, or Servants that used to attend upon them; who are bred up delicately, and seem unfit for the business.

Partly to encourage the Young Men to Fight couragiously, as being in the presence of their Prince: and partly, that it might appear, that the Victory was wholly due to God's gracious and powerful Providence, and not to the Valour or Worthiness of the Instruments.

Marginal references: Or, Servants.; Heb. [illegible: 1+ letters]ind, or, [illegible: 1 word].

15 Then he numbred the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbred all the people, even all the children of Israel , being seven thousand .

Either 1. All the men; for they onely went out to Battel; and the rest of the men might be consumed with the Sword or Famine, or other Judgments: Or rather, 2. All the Men of War, or all that were fit to go out to War; all, except those whom their Age, or Infirmity, or other sufficient causes excused.

Which number may possibly be noted with respect unto those 7000, commended chap. 19. 18. for whose sakes principally God gave this deliverance.

16 And they went out at noon : but Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

When they were eating, and drinking, and secure from all fear and expectation of an Assault.

18 And he said▪ Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive .

He bids them not Fight, for he thought they needed not to strike one stroke; and that the Israelites could not stand the first brunt.

20 And they slew every one his man : and the Syrians fled , and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse, with the horsemen.

i. e. Him who came to Fight with him, or to seize upon him, as Benhadad had Commanded.

Being amazed at the unexpected and undaunted Courage of the Israelites, and being struck with a Divine Terror.

21 And the king of Israel went out , and smo[illegible: 1+ letters]e the horses and chariots , and [illegible: 1+ letters]lew the Syrians with a great slaughter.

i. e. Proceeded further in his March, and Fought against them.

i. e. The men that fought from them, or belonged to them: for so Horses and Chariots are sometimes taken. See on 1 Sam. 13. 5.

22 ¶ And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thy self, and mark, and see what thou doest : for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.

Consider what is fit and necessary for thee to do by way of Preparation, or Prevention.

Next year about this time, when the season comes of going forth to Battel: of which see 2 Sam. 11. 1. 1 Chron. 20. 1. 2 Chron. 36. 10.

23 And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him , Their gods are gods of the hills, therefore they were stronger than we: but let us fight against them in the plain , and surely we shall be stronger than they.

They suppose that their gods were no better than the Syrian gods (which the Idolatry of the Israelites had given them too great cause to imagine;) and that there were many gods who had each his particular charge and jurisdiction; which was the Opinion of all Heathen Nations, That some were gods of the Woods, others of the Rivers, and others of the Mountains; and they fancied these to be either, because the Land of Canaan was a Mountanous Land, Deut. 12. 2. And the great Temple of their God at Ierusalem stood upon an Hill, and so did Samaria, where they had received their last blow: or because the Israelites did generally chuse High Places for the Worship of their gods. It is observable, that they do not impute their ill Success to their Negligence, and Drunkenness, and bad Conduct, or Cowardize, of which they were really guilty; nor to the Valour of the Israelites; but to a Divine Power, which indeed was visible in it.

Wherein there was not onely Superstition, but Policy; because the Syrians most excelled the Israelites in Horses, which are most serviceable in plain ground.

24 And do this thing, Take the kings away every man out of his place , and put captains in their rooms.

Who being of softer Education, and less experienced in Military Matters, were less fit for his Service; and being many of them but Mercinaries, and therefore less concerned in his good success, would be more negligent and cautious in venturing themselves for his good.

i. e. Experienced Soldiers of his own Subjects, who will faithfully obey the Commands of the General (to which the Kings would not so readily yield) and use their utmost Skill and Valour for their own Interest and Advancement.

26 And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbred the Syrians, and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.

Not that in Iudah; of which, Iosh. 13. 4. and 15. 53. but that in Asher; of which, Iosh. 19. 30. Iudg. 1. 31. nigh unto which, was the great Plain of Galilee. And this seems to be one of those Cities which Benhadad's Father had taken from Israel, ver. 34. Here also the Syrians might Retreat, if they should be worsted.

Marginal references: Heb. to the War with Israel.

27 And the children of Israel were numbred, and were all present , and went against them : and the children of Israel pitched before them , like two little flocks of kids : but the Syrians filled the country.

i. e. All the Forces of the Israelites were here gathered together, to oppose the Syrians: so if those had been Conquered, all had been lost.

Being perswaded, and encouraged so to do; partly, to prevent the Mischiefs of a Siege in Samaria, and the waste of all the rest of their Country: and partly, by the remembrance of their former Success, and an expectation of the same Assistance from God again.

Probably upon some Hilly Ground, where they might secure themselves, and watch for Advantage against their Enemies; which may be the reason why the Syrians [illegible: 1+ letters]rst not Assault them before the Seventh Day; ver. 29.

i. e. Few, and Weak, and Heartless; being also for conveniency of Fighting, and that they might seem to be more than they were, divided into Two Bodies.

Marginal references: Or, were Victualled.

28 ¶ And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus [illegible: 1+ letters]aith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said , The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys: therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD .

Which he knew, either by common Report, strengthned by their present choice of a Plain Ground for the Battel: or rather, by Revelation from God, who discovered their secret Counsels, 2 King 6. 12.

To wit, The Universal Lord of all Places, and Persons, and Things.

30 But the rest fled to Aphek in the city, and the wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left: and Benhadad fled, and came into the city , into an inner chamber .

Or, the walls (the Singular Number, for the Plural; than which, nothing more frequent) of the City; or of some great Castle, or Fort, in, or near the City, in which they were now Fortifying themselves; or of some part of the City where they lay. Which might possibly happen through Natural Causes; but most probably, was Effected by the Mighty Power of God, then sending some sudden Earthquake, or violent Storm of Wind, which threw down the Wall, or Walls upon them; or doing this by the Ministry of Angels. Which cannot be incredible to any Man, except to him that denies the Truth of all the Miracles Recorded in the Old and New Testament; which being Attested, many of them, by Iews and Heathens, it is the height of Folly and Impudence to deny. For if ever Miracle was to be Wrought, now seems to have been the proper time, and season for it; when the Blasphemous Syrians denied the Soveraign and Infinite Power of God, and thereby in some fort obliged him, for his own Honour, to give a Proof of it; and to shew, That he was the God of the Plains, as well as of the Mountains; and that he could as effectually Destroy them in their strongest Holds, as in the open Fields; and make the very Walls, to whose strength they trusted for their Defence, to be the Instruments of their Ruine. But it may be further observed, that it is not said, That all these were killed by the fall of this Wall; but onely that the wall fell upon them, Killing some, and Wounding others; as is usual in those Cases. Nor is it necessary, that the Wall should fall upon every Individual Person; but it is sufficient to justifie this Phrase, if it fell upon the main Body of them; for the Words in the Hebrew run thus, the Wall fell upon 27000 (not of the men that are left, as we render it, but) which were left of that great Army.

Either, 1. Out of the Fields, as the rest of his Army did. Which is distinctly, and particularly noted of him, because he was the most Eminent Person in it, and the Head of it. Compare the Title of Psal. 18. Or, 2. A[illegible: 1+ letters], and from the noise and report of that Terrible Fall of the Wall, or Walls; which possily might be in the outside, or Suburbs of the City; from whence he [illegible: 1+ letters]led further into the City.

Or, a chamber, within a chamber; where he supposed he might lye hid, till he had an opportunity of making an Escape, or of obtaining Mercy.

Marginal references: Or, from chamber to chamber.; Heb. unto a chamber, within a chamber.

31 ¶ And his servants said unto him, Behold, now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings : let us I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads , and go out to the king of Israel, peradventure he will save thy life.

More merciful than others, because that Religion which they had professed, taught them Humanity, and obliged them to shew Mercy.

As a testimony of our sorrow, for undertaking this War; and that we have justly forfeited our Lives for it, which we submit to their mercy▪ [illegible: 1 word].

32 So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother .

I do not onely freely Pardon him, but Honour and Love him as my Brother.

33 Now the men did diligently observe, whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it : and they said, Thy brother Benhadad . Then he said, Go ye, bring him: then Benhadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.

Or, they took that Word for a good token, and made haste and snatched it (i. e. that Word) from him, i. e. from his mouth; they repeated the word again, to try whether the King would own it, or it onely drop't casually from him; or made haste to know, whether it was from him: i. e. Whether he spoke this from his heart, or onely in dissimulation or design: for it seemed too good news to be true.

Understand, liveth: for that he enquired after, ver. 32.

34 And Benhadad said unto him, The cities which my father took from thy father , I will restore, and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant . So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.

Either, 1. From Baasha, Chap. 15. 20. whom he calls Ahabs Father, because he was his Legal Father; i. e. His Predecessor. Or, 2. From Omri; in whose time, it seems, he made a successful Invasion into the Land of Israel, and took some more of the Cities, and Aphek amongst the rest; though it be not elsewhere Recorded in Scripture.

Or, markets, &c. places where thou mayst either receive the Tribute which I promise to pay thee, or exercise Judicature upon my Subjects in case of their Refusal. Or outlets (as the LXX render it) in or into Damascus; i. e. Some strong Fort near Damascus, which might curb the Kings of Damascus, and keep them from Attempting any other Invasion into the Land of Israel.

He takes no notice of his Blasphemy against God; nor of the vast Injuries which his People had suffered from him, but onely minds his own Grandure, and the advancement of his Power.

35 ¶ And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD , Smite me , I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him .

Or, Brother, another son of the Prophets.

In the Name, and by the Command of God, whereof doubtless he had informed him.

So as to wound me, ver. 37. He speaks what God commanded him, though it was to his own hurt; by which obedience to God, he secretly Reproacheth Ahab's disobedience in a far easier matter. And this Prophet by God's appointment desires, that looking like a Wounded Soldier, he might have the more free access to the King, and discourse with him; which it was very hard for a Prophet to obtain, that sort of men being hateful to Ahab, Chap. 22. 8. and to his Courtiers.

Not out of contempt of God's Command, but most probably, in tenderness and compassion to his Brother.

36 Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And assoon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him .

If the Punishment seem too severe for so small fault, let it be considered; 1. That Disobedience to God's Express Command, especially when it is delivered by a Prophet, is a great Sin, and no less than Capital, Deut. 18. 19. 2. This fault was much worse in a Prophet, who very well knew the Authority of God's Commands, and this way or manner of Publishing them. 3. We cannot judge of the case, because this Man might be guilty of many other hainous Sins unknown to us, but known to God; for which, God might justly Cut him off: which God chose to do upon this occasion, that by the severity of this Punishment of a Prophets Disobedience, proceeding from [illegible: 1+ letters]pity to his Brother, he might teach Ahab the greatness of his Sin, in spa [illegible: 1+ letters]ing him through foolish pity; whom by the Laws of Religion, and Justice, and Prudence, and common Safety, he should have Cut off, and what Punishment he might expect for it.

Marginal references: Chap. 13▪ [illegible: 1+ letters]

38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disgnised himself with ashes upon his face.

That he might sooner gain access to the King, and Audience from him. See on, ver. 35.

Whereby he changed the colour of it. Or, with a vail, or cloth, or band; (as the Hebrew Doctors understand the Word) whereby he might seem to have bound up his Wound, which probably was in his Face; for it was to be made in a very conspicuous place, that it might be visible to Ahab and others.

39 And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said , Thy servant went out into the midst of the battel, and behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life , or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

This following Relation is not an untruth, but a Parable; an usual way of Instruction in the Eastern parts, and Ancient Times, and most fit for this occasion, wherein an obscure Prophet was to speak to a great King; whose Fars were tender, and impatient of a downright Reproof, and exceeding Partial in his own Cause; who by this Artifice is made to condemn himself, before he was aware of it, and so forced to receive the Prophets just Sentence with more patience and moderation: Compare, 1 Sam. 12. and 14.

My Commander or Superior, as the manner of his Expression here following sheweth.

Thou shalt die in his stead; as below, ver. 42. Comp. Exod. 21. 23.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] Weigh.

40 And as thy servant was busie here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be, thy self hast decided it.

i. e. Thy Sentence; or the Sentence against thee: thou must perform the Condition to which thou didst submit. Either suffer the one, or do the other.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]e was [illegible: 1 word].

41 And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face: and the king of Israel discerned him that he was one of the prophets .

Either 1. By his Face, which was known either to the King, or to some of his Courtiers there present. Or, 2. By the change of the manner of his Address to him, which now was such as the Prophets used.

42 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life , and thy people for his people .

Quest. What was the great Sin of Ahab in this Action, for which God so severely punisheth him? Answ. The great dishonour hereby done to God, in suffering so horrid a Blasphemer, ver. 23. to go unpunished, which was contrary to an express Law, Levit. 24. 16. Obj. What is this to Benhadad, seeing that Law concerned Israelites onely? Answ. It reached both to them that were born in the land, and (as is there expressed) unto strangers that were among them, and in their Power, which was Benhadad's case; for God had delivered him into Ahabs hand, for his Blasphemy, as he promised to do, ver. 28. by which act of his Providence, especially compared with that Law, it was most evident, that this man was appointed by God to Destruction, as is here said. But Ahab was so far from punishing this Blasphemer, that he doth not so much as Rebuke him, but Treats him like a Friend, and a Brother; dismisseth him upon easie terms, and takes his Word for the performance, and takes not the least care for the Reparation of God's Honour, but onely for the Amplification of his own Power.

Quest. Why were the People punished for Ahab's Sin? Answ. 1. Because Ahab was punished in the loss of his People. 2. The people were punished for their own Sins, which were many, and great; though God took this occasion to Inflict it. 3. The great injury and mischief hereby done to [illegible: 1+ letters]is own people; who by this most foolish and wicked act, were exposed to all those Rapines and Slaughters which Benhadad either did commit, or might have committed against them afterwards; of which, consequently Ahab was guilty. And it must be considered, That all the Israelites were the Lords peculiar people; nor did their Apostacy from God, deprive God of his right; and the Kings of Israel and Iudah had these committed to them, in way of Trust, to be Governed and Protected by them. And therefore Ahab for this gross breach of his Trust, was justly liable, though not to the Censures of his People, yet to the hand of God, who was his King and Governour.

Marginal references: Chap. 22. 37.; [illegible: 1 word] if my [illegible: 1 word].

43 And the King of Israel went to his house, heavy and displeased , and came to Samaria.

Not for his Sin, but for the sad Effects of it upon himself, and people; which he might confidently expect▪ having had many experiences, that God did not suffer the words of his Prophets to fall to the ground.