1 Kings 20:16

Translations

Modern

They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.

Traditional

And they went out at noon. But Ben–hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

Literal

And they went out at noon while Ben-hadad was getting drunk at the command post—he and the kings, thirty-two kings helping him.

Latin

Et egressi sunt meridie. Benadad autem bibebat temulentus in umbraculo suo, et reges triginta duo cum eo, qui ad auxilium ejus venerant.

Original

Hebrew

English

They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.

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 16:9
However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him.
Isaiah 54:15
If anyone attacks you, it is not from Me; whoever assails you will fall before you.
1 Kings 20:11–12
And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”
Hosea 4:11
…to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.
Proverbs 23:29–32
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes?
1 Kings 16:7
Moreover, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands and becoming like the house of Jeroboam, and also because Baasha had struck down the house of Jeroboam.
Ecclesiastes 10:16–17
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.

People

Ben-hadad: King of Aram, contemporary of Asa and Baasha

Glossary

Ahab (King) Kings, Books of First and Second Pavilion Samaria Succoth Warfare

Topics

Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Deliverance of, Effected Drunkenness: Ben-Hadad and his Thirty-Two Confederate Kings Drunkenness: Benhadad King: Ben-Hadad 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 20:16

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