Keraia
1 Kings 20

1 Kings 20:18

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad · 1 Kings 20:13–25
Read 1 Kings 20

Translations

Modern
“If they have marched out in peace,” he said, “take them alive. Even if they have marched out for war, take them alive.”
Traditional
And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.
Literal
And he said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive. And if they have come out for war, take them alive.”
Latin
Et ille ait: Sive pro pace veniunt, apprehendite eos vivos: sive ut prælientur, vivos eos capite.

Original

Hebrew
English
“If they have marched out in peace,” he said, “take them alive. Even if they have marched out for war, take them alive.”

Notes

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:

  1. advice before the battle (1 Kings 20:13–14, 23–25),

  2. conditions before the battle (1 Kings 20:15–16, 26–28),

  3. Israel's victory despite being outnumbered (1 Kings 20:17–21, 29–30), and

  4. advice after the battle (1 Kings 20:22, 31).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Arameans Jezebel

Glossary

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

Topics

Ancient Samaria: Samaria the Capital of Deliverance of, Effected 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