1 Kings 22:31

Ahab’s Defeat and Death · 1 Kings 22:29–40
Read 1 Kings 22

Translations

Modern
Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”
Traditional
But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.
Literal
And the king of Aram had commanded the captains of the chariots who were unto him, thirty-two, saying, “You shall not fight with small or with great, except but with the king of Israel by himself.”
Latin
Rex autem Syriæ præceperat principibus curruum triginta duobus, dicens: Non pugnabitis contra minorem et majorem quempiam, nisi contra regem Israël solum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”

Notes

Ahab wanted to avoid direct revenge from Ben-hadad by wearing a disguise. He encouraged Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes so Ahab could avoid being noticed and try to prevent Micaiah's prophecy from coming true.

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Arameans Jehoshaphat Jezebel

Parallels

2 Chronicles 18:28–34

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Syria: Ancient region north of Israel, often in conflict

Glossary

Ahab (King) Ben-Hadad Gilead (Place) Jehoram Jehoshaphat (Person) Jezebel Kings, Books of First and Second Ramoth-Gilead Syria, Syrians

Topics

Archery: Practiced by the Syrians Chariot: Commanded by Captains Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Death of Ahab Ramoth-Gilead: Besieged by Israel and Judah; Ahab Killed There Syria: Governed by Kings Syria: The Israelites: Defeated By, and Ahab Slain The Armies of Israel: Often Led by the King in Person