1 Kings 20:13

Translations

Modern

Meanwhile 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.’”

Traditional

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.

Literal

And behold, one prophet approached unto Ahab king of Israel and said, “Thus says YHWH: ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am YHWH.’”

Latin

Et ecce propheta unus accedens ad Achab regem Israël, ait ei: Hæc dicit Dominus: Certe vidisti omnem multitudinem hanc nimiam? ecce ego tradam eam in manu tua hodie, ut scias quia ego sum Dominus.

Original

Hebrew

English

Meanwhile 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.’”

Notes

1 Kings 20:13–16

Ahab's forces attacked around noon after a prophet promised them victory. The Jewish historian Josephus thought this prophet might have been Micaiah (see 1 Kings 22:8). The Israelites attacked during the hottest part of the day (see Joshua 8:14), catching the enemy off guard. Ben-hadad and the allied kings were still drinking, showing their lack of respect for Ahab's military strength.

1 Kings 20:13–34

Two separate battles took place, one in Samaria (1 Kings 20:13–25) and another at Aphek (1 Kings 20:26–34). The writer shared similar details for both:

advice before the battle (1 Kings 20:13–14, 23–25),
conditions before the battle (1 Kings 20:15–16, 26–28),
Israel's victory despite being outnumbered (1 Kings 20:17–21, 29–30), and
advice after the battle (1 Kings 20:22, 31).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Arameans Jezebel

Related verses

1 Kings 20:28
Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said that the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
Ezekiel 20:22
But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
Exodus 14:18
The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I am honored through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
Isaiah 7:1–9
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.
Joel 3:17
Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.
Isaiah 37:20
And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”
Exodus 16:12
“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’”
Ezekiel 20:14
But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
2 Kings 7:1
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’”
Ezekiel 6:7
The slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am the LORD.
1 Kings 18:36–37
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command.
2 Kings 6:8–12
Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”

People

Ahab: Wicked king of Israel; husband of Jezebel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Ahab (King) Ben-Hadad Kings, Books of First and Second Samaria Succoth

Topics

Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Deliverance of, Predicted Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Destruction of Ben-Hadad's Army Syria: The Israelites: Under Ahab Encouraged and Assisted by God, Overcame

1 Kings 20:13

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