Berean Standard Bible

1 Kings 20

1Now Ben-hadadH1130kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Aramאֲרָ֗ם'a.RamH758assembledקָבַץ֙ka.VatzH6908אֶת־'et-H853his entireכָּל־kol-H3605armyחֵיל֔וֹchei.LoH2428.Accompanied byאִתּ֖וֹ'i.ToH854thirty-twoוּשְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים וּשְׁנַ֥יִםu.she.lo.Shim u.she.Na.yimH7970 H8147kingsמֶ֛לֶךְMe.lekhH4428with their horsesוְס֣וּסve.SusH5483and chariotsוָרָ֑כֶבva.Ra.khevH7393,he marched upוַיַּ֗עַלvai.Ya.'alH5927,besiegedוַיָּ֙צַר֙ עַל־vai.Ya.tzar 'al-H6696 H5921Samariaשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹןsho.me.RonH8111,and waged warוַיִּלָּ֖חֶםvai.yi.La.chemH3898against it.

2Then he sentוַיִּשְׁלַ֧חvai.yish.LachH7971messengersמַלְאָכִ֛יםmal.'a.KhimH4397into the cityהָעִֽירָה׃ha.'I.rahH5892toאֶל־'el-H413Ahabאַחְאָ֥ב'ach.'AvH256kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478,

3sayingוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “This is whatכֹּ֚הkohH3541Ben-hadadH1130saysאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559: ‘Your silverכַּסְפְּךָ֥kas.pe.KhaH3701and goldוּֽזְהָבְךָ֖u.ze.ha.ve.KhaH2091areה֑וּאHu'H1931mine,and your bestהַטּוֹבִ֖יםha.to.VimH2896wivesוְנָשֶׁ֧יךָve.na.Shei.khaH802and childrenוּבָנֶ֛יךָu.va.Nei.khaH1121areהֵֽם׃HemH1992mine!’”

4And the kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיֹּ֔אמֶרYis.ra.'El vai.Yo.merH3478 H559repliedוַיַּ֤עַןvai.Ya.'anH6030, “Just as you sayכִּדְבָרְךָ֖kid.va.re.KhaH1697,my lordאֲדֹנִ֣י'a.do.NiH113the kingהַמֶּ֑לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428:I am yoursאֲנִ֖י'a.NiH589,along with allוְכָל־ve.kholH3605thatאֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834I have.”

5The messengersהַמַּלְאָכִ֔יםha.mal.'a.KhimH4397came backוַיָּשֻׁ֙בוּ֙vai.ya.Shu.vuH7725and saidוַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּvai.Yo.me.RuH559, “This is whatכֹּֽה־koh-H3541Ben-hadadבֶּן־ben-H1130saysאָמַ֥ר'a.MarH559הֲדַ֖דha.DadH1130: ‘I have sentשָׁלַ֤חְתִּיsha.Lach.tiH7971to youלֵאמֹ֑ר אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙le.Mor 'e.Lei.khaH413 H559to demandכִּֽי־ לֵאמֹ֔רki- le.MorH559 H3588תִתֵּֽן׃ti.TenH5414your silverכַּסְפְּךָ֧kas.pe.KhaH3701,your goldוּזְהָבְךָ֛u.ze.ha.ve.KhaH2091,your wivesוְנָשֶׁ֥יךָve.na.Shei.khaH802,and your childrenוּבָנֶ֖יךָu.va.Nei.khaH1121.

6Butכִּ֣י׀kiH3588aboutאִם־'im-H518this timeכָּעֵ֣תka.'EtH6256tomorrowמָחָ֗רma.CharH4279I will sendאֶשְׁלַ֤ח'esh.LachH7971אֶת־'et-H853my servantsעֲבָדַי֙'a.va.DaiH5650אֵלֶ֔יךָ'e.Lei.khaH413to searchוְחִפְּשׂוּ֙ve.chi.pe.SuH2664אֶת־'et-H853your palaceבֵּ֣יתְךָ֔bei.te.khaH1004andוְאֵ֖תve.'EtH853the housesבָּתֵּ֣יba.TeiH1004of your servantsעֲבָדֶ֑יךָ'a.va.Dei.khaH5650.They will seizeיָשִׂ֥ימוּ בְיָדָ֖םya.Si.mu ve.ya.DamH7760 H3027and carry awayוְלָקָֽחוּ׃ve.la.Ka.chuH3947all thatכָּל־kol-H3605isוְהָיָה֙ve.ha.YahH1961preciousמַחְמַ֣דmach.MadH4261to youעֵינֶ֔יךָ'ei.Nei.khaH5869.’”

7Then the kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙Yis.ra.'ElH3478summonedוַיִּקְרָ֤אvai.yik.Ra'H7121allלְכָל־le.kholH3605the eldersזִקְנֵ֣יzik.NeiH2205of the landהָאָ֔רֶץha.'A.retzH776and saidוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙vai.Yo.merH559, “Pleaseנָ֣אna'H4994take noteדְּעֽוּ־de.'u-H3045and seeוּרְא֔וּu.re.'UH7200thatכִּ֥יkiH3588thisזֶ֣הzehH2088manis looking forמְבַקֵּ֑שׁme.va.KeshH1245troubleרָעָ֖הra.'AhH7451,forכִּֽי־ki-H3588when he demandedשָׁלַ֨ח אֵלַ֜יsha.Lach 'e.LaiH7971 H413my wivesלְנָשַׁ֤יle.na.ShaiH802,my childrenוּלְבָנַי֙u.le.va.NaiH1121,my silverוּלְכַסְפִּ֣יu.le.khas.PiH3701,and my goldוְלִזְהָבִ֔יve.liz.ha.ViH2091,I did notוְלֹ֥אve.Lo'H3808denyמָנַ֖עְתִּיma.Na'.tiH4513himמִמֶּֽנּוּ׃mi.Me.nuH4480.”

8And the eldersהַזְּקֵנִ֖יםha.ze.ke.NimH2205andכָּל־kol-H3605the peopleהָעָ֑םha.'AmH5971allוְכָל־ve.kholH3605saidוַיֹּאמְר֥וּvai.yo.me.RuH559אֵלָ֛יו'e.LavH413, “Do notאַל־'al-H408listen to himתִּשְׁמַ֖עtish.Ma'H8085orוְל֥וֹאve.Lo'H3808consent to his termsתֹאבֶֽה׃to.VehH14.”

9So Ahab answeredוַיֹּ֜אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559the messengersלְמַלְאֲכֵ֣יle.mal.'a.KheiH4397of Ben-hadadH1130, “Tellאִמְר֞וּ'im.RuH559my lordלַֽאדֹנִ֤יla.do.NiH113the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ha.Me.lekhH4428, ‘Allכֹּל֩kolH3605thatאֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834you demandedשָׁלַ֨חְתָּsha.Lach.taH7971ofאֶל־'el-H413your servantעַבְדְּךָ֤'av.de.KhaH5650the first timeבָרִֽאשֹׁנָה֙va.ri.sho.NahH7223I will doאֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה'e.'e.SehH6213,but thisהַזֶּ֔הha.ZehH2088thingוְהַדָּבָ֣רve.ha.da.VarH1697I cannotלֹ֥א אוּכַ֖לlo' 'u.KhalH3808 H3201doלַעֲשׂ֑וֹתla.'a.SotH6213.’”So the messengersהַמַּלְאָכִ֔יםha.mal.'a.KhimH4397departedוַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙vai.ye.le.KhuH1980and relayed the message toוַיְשִׁבֻ֖הוּ דָּבָֽר׃vay.shi.Vu.hu da.VarH1697 H7725Ben-hadad.

10Then Ben-hadadבֶּן־ben-H1130sentוַיִּשְׁלַ֤חvai.yish.LachH7971הֲדַ֔דha.DadH1130another messageוַיֹּ֕אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559toאֵלָיו֙'e.LavH413Ahab: “May the godsאֱלֹהִ֖ים'E.lo.HimH430dealכֹּֽה־koh-H3541יַעֲשׂ֥וּןya.'a.SunH6213with me,and ever soוְכֹ֣הve.KhohH3541severelyיוֹסִ֑פוּyo.Si.fuH3254,ifאִם־'im-H518enoughdustעֲפַ֣ר'a.FarH6083remainsיִשְׂפֹּק֙yis.PokH5606of Samariaשֹׁמְר֔וֹןsho.me.RonH8111for eachלְכָל־le.kholH3605of my menהָעָ֖םha.'AmH5971אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.SherH834בְּרַגְלָֽי׃be.rag.LaiH7272to havea handfulלִשְׁעָלִ֕יםlish.'a.LimH8168.”

11And the kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶרYis.ra.'El vai.Yo.merH3478 H559repliedוַיַּ֤עַןvai.Ya.'anH6030, “Tell himדַּבְּר֔וּda.be.RuH1696: ‘The one putting onחֹגֵ֖רcho.GerH2296his armorshould notאַל־'al-H408boastיִתְהַלֵּ֥לyit.ha.LelH1984like one takingכִּמְפַתֵּֽחַ׃kim.fa.Te.achH6605it off.’”

12וַיְהִ֗יvay.HiH1961Ben-hadad receivedכִּשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙kish.Mo.a'H8085אֶת־'et-H853thisהַזֶּ֔הha.ZehH2088messageהַדָּבָ֣רha.da.VarH1697while heוְה֥וּאve.Hu'H1931and the kingsוְהַמְּלָכִ֖יםve.ha.me.la.KhimH4428were drinkingשֹׁתֶ֛ה ה֥וּאsho.Teh hu'H8354 H1931in their tentsבַּסֻּכּ֑וֹתba.su.KotH5521,and he saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559toאֶל־'el-H413his servantsעֲבָדָיו֙'a.va.DavH5650, “Take your positionsשִׂ֔ימוּSi.muH7760.”So they stationed themselvesוַיָּשִׂ֖ימוּvai.ya.Si.muH7760againstעַל־'al-H5921the cityהָעִֽיר׃ha.'IrH5892.

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad

13Meanwhileוְהִנֵּ֣ה׀ve.hi.NehH2009aאֶחָ֗ד'e.ChadH259prophetנָבִ֣יאna.Vi'H5030approachedנִגַּשׁ֮ אֶל־ni.Gash 'el-H5066 H413Ahabאַחְאָ֣ב'ach.'AvH256kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֒Yis.ra.'ElH3478and declaredוַיֹּ֗אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “This is whatכֹּ֚הkohH3541the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068saysאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559: ‘Do you seeהְֽרָאִ֔יתָhe.ra.'I.taH7200אֵ֛ת'etH853thisהַזֶּ֑הha.ZehH2088entireכָּל־kol-H3605greatהַגָּד֖וֹלha.ga.DolH1419armyהֶהָמ֥וֹןhe.ha.MonH1995?Beholdהִנְנִ֨יhi.NiH2005,I will deliver itנֹתְנ֤וֹno.te.NoH5414into your handבְיָֽדְךָ֙ve.ya.de.KhaH3027this very dayהַיּ֔וֹםhai.YomH3117,and you will knowוְיָדַעְתָּ֖ve.ya.da'.TaH3045thatכִּֽי־ki-H3588Iאֲנִ֥י'a.NiH589am the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah.wehH3068.’”

14“By whomבְּמִ֔יbe.MiH4310?”Ahabאַחְאָב֙'ach.'AvH256askedוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559.And the prophet repliedוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙vai.Yo.merH559, “This is whatכֹּֽה־koh-H3541the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068saysאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559: ‘By the young officersבְּנַעֲרֵ֖יbe.na.'a.ReiH5288of the districtהַמְּדִינ֑וֹתha.me.di.NotH4082governorsשָׂרֵ֣יsa.ReiH8269.’” “Whoמִֽי־mi-H4310will startיֶאְסֹ֥רye'.SorH631the battleהַמִּלְחָמָ֖הha.mil.cha.MahH4421?”askedוַיֹּ֛אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559Ahab. “Youאָֽתָּה׃'A.tahH859will,”answered the prophetוַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559.

15So Ahab assembledוַיִּפְקֹ֗דvai.yif.KodH6485אֶֽת־'et-H853the young officersנַעֲרֵי֙na.'a.ReiH5288of the districtהַמְּדִינ֔וֹתha.me.di.NotH4082governorsשָׂרֵ֣יsa.ReiH8269,and there wereוַיִּהְי֕וּvai.yih.YuH1961232 menמָאתַ֖יִם שְׁנַ֣יִם וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֑יםma.Ta.yim she.Na.yim u.she.lo.ShimH3967 H8147 H7970.And after themוְאַחֲרֵיהֶ֗םve.'a.cha.rei.HemH310,he assembledפָּקַ֧דpa.KadH6485אֶת־'et-H853the rest ofכָּל־kol-H3605the Israeliteבְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לbe.Nei Yis.ra.'ElH1121 H3478troopsהָעָ֛םha.'AmH5971,7,000שִׁבְעַ֥ת אֲלָפִֽים׃shiv.'At 'a.la.FimH7651 H505in allכָּל־kol-H3605.

16They marched outוַיֵּצְא֖וּvai.ye.tze.'UH3318at noonבַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִםba.tzo.ho.Ra.yimH6672while Ben-hadadH1130and the 32וְהַמְּלָכִ֛ים שְׁלֹשִֽׁים־ וּשְׁנַ֥יִםve.ha.me.la.Khim she.lo.shim- u.she.Na.yimH7970 H8147 H4428kingsמֶ֖לֶךְMe.lekhH4428alliedעֹזֵ֥ר'o.ZerH5826with himאֹתֽוֹ׃'o.ToH853were in their tentsבַּסֻּכּ֗וֹת ה֧וּאba.su.Kot hu'H5521 H1931gettingשֹׁתֶ֨הsho.TehH8354drunkשִׁכּ֜וֹרshi.KorH7910.

17And the young officersנַעֲרֵ֛יna.'a.ReiH5288of the districtהַמְּדִינ֖וֹתha.me.di.NotH4082governorsשָׂרֵ֥יsa.ReiH8269marched out firstוַיֵּצְא֗וּ בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֑הvai.ye.tze.'U ba.ri.sho.NahH3318 H7223.Now Ben-hadadבֶּן־ben-H1130had sent out scoutsוַיִּשְׁלַ֣חvai.yish.LachH7971הֲדַ֗דha.DadH1130,who reportedוַיַּגִּ֤ידוּvai.ya.Gi.duH5046to himלֵאמֹ֔רle.MorH559, “Menאֲנָשִׁ֕ים'a.na.ShimH582are marching outיָצְא֖וּya.tze.'UH3318of Samariaמִשֹּׁמְרֽוֹן׃mi.sho.me.RonH8111.”

18“Ifאִם־'im-H518they have marched outיָצָ֖אוּya.Tza.'uH3318in peaceלְשָׁל֥וֹםle.sha.LomH7965,”he saidוַיֹּ֛אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “take themתִּפְשׂ֣וּםtif.SumH8610aliveחַיִּ֑יםchai.YimH2416.Even ifוְאִ֧םve.'ImH518they have marched outיָצָ֖אוּya.Tza.'uH3318for warלְמִלְחָמָ֛הle.mil.cha.MahH4421,take themתִּפְשֽׂוּם׃tif.SumH8610aliveחַיִּ֥יםchai.YimH2416.”

19Meanwhile, theseוְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ve.'E.lehH428young officersנַעֲרֵ֖יna.'a.ReiH5288of the districtהַמְּדִינ֑וֹתha.me.di.NotH4082governorsשָׂרֵ֣יsa.ReiH8269marched outיָצְא֣וּya.tze.'UH3318ofמִן־min-H4480the cityהָעִ֔ירha.'IrH5892,with the armyוְהַחַ֖יִלve.ha.Cha.yilH2428אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.SherH834behind themאַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃'a.cha.rei.HemH310,

20and eachאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376one struck downוַיַּכּוּ֙vai.ya.KuH5221his opponentאִישׁ֔וֹ'i.ShoH376.So the Arameansאֲרָ֔ם'a.RamH758fledוַיָּנֻ֣סוּvai.ya.Nu.suH5127,with the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478in pursuitוַֽיִּרְדְּפֵ֖םvai.yir.de.FemH7291.But Ben-hadadבֶּן־ben-H1130kingמֶ֣לֶךְMe.lekhH4428of Aramאֲרָ֔ם'a.RamH758escapedוַיִּמָּלֵ֗טvai.yi.ma.LetH4422הֲדַד֙ha.DadH1130onעַל־'al-H5921horsebackס֖וּסsusH5483with the cavalryוּפָרָשִֽׁים׃u.fa.ra.ShimH6571.

21Then the kingמֶ֣לֶךְMe.lekhH4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478marched outוַיֵּצֵא֙vai.ye.Tze'H3318and attackedוַיַּ֥ךְvai.YakhH5221אֶת־'et-H853the horsesהַסּ֖וּסha.SusH5483וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853and chariotsהָרָ֑כֶבha.Ra.khevH7393,inflictingוְהִכָּ֥הve.hi.KahH5221a greatגְדוֹלָֽה׃ge.do.LahH1419slaughterמַכָּ֥הma.KahH4347on the Arameansבַאֲרָ֖םva.'a.RamH758.

22Afterward, the prophetהַנָּבִיא֙ אֶל־ha.na.Vi' 'el-H5030 H413approachedוַיִּגַּ֤שׁvai.yi.GashH5066the kingמֶ֣לֶךְMe.lekhH4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478and saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “Goלֵ֣ךְlekhH1980and strengthenהִתְחַזַּ֔קhit.cha.ZakH2388your position,and take noteוְדַ֥ע וּרְאֵ֖הve.Da' u.re.'EhH3045 H7200אֵ֣ת'etH853whatאֲשֶֽׁר־'a.Sher-H834you must doתַּעֲשֶׂ֑הta.'a.SehH6213,forכִּ֚יkiH3588in the springלִתְשׁוּבַ֣ת הַשָּׁנָ֔הlit.shu.Vat ha.sha.NahH8666 H8141the kingמֶ֥לֶךְMe.lekhH4428of Aramאֲרָ֖ם'a.RamH758will come upעֹלֶ֥ה'o.LehH5927against youעָלֶֽיךָ׃ ס'a.Lei.khaH5921.”

23Meanwhile, the servantsוְעַבְדֵ֨יve.'av.DeiH5650of the kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Aramאֲרָ֜ם'a.RamH758saidאָמְר֣וּ'a.me.RuH559to himאֵלָ֗יו'e.LavH413, “Their godsאֱלֹהֵ֤י'e.lo.HeiH430aregodsאֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם'e.Lo.hei.HemH430of the hillsהָרִים֙ha.RimH2022.That is whyעַל־ כֵּ֖ן'al- kenH5921 H3651they prevailedחָזְק֣וּcha.ze.KuH2388over usמִמֶּ֑נּוּmi.Me.nuH4480.Insteadוְאוּלָ֗םve.'u.LamH199,we should fightנִלָּחֵ֤םni.la.ChemH3898themאִתָּם֙'i.TamH854on the plainsבַּמִּישׁ֔וֹרba.mi.ShorH4334;surely thenאִם־'im-H518לֹ֥אlo'H3808we will prevailנֶחֱזַ֖קne.che.ZakH2388.

24Soוְאֶת־ve.'EtH853הַדָּבָ֥רha.da.VarH1697doעֲשֵׂ֑ה'a.SehH6213thisהַזֶּ֖הha.ZehH2088:Dismissהָסֵ֤רha.SerH5493allאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376the kingsהַמְּלָכִים֙ha.me.la.KhimH4428from their positionsמִמְּקֹמ֔וֹmi.me.ko.MoH4725and replace themוְשִׂ֥ים תַּחְתֵּיהֶֽם׃ve.Sim tach.tei.HemH7760 H8478with other officersפַּח֖וֹתpa.ChotH6346.

25And youוְאַתָּ֣הve.'a.TahH859must raiseתִֽמְנֶה־tim.neh-H4487an armyחַ֡יִלCha.yilH2428like theכַּחַיִל֩ka.cha.YilH2428oneyou have lostהַנֹּפֵ֨לha.no.FelH5307מֵאוֹתָ֜ךְme.'o.TakhH853—horseוְס֣וּסve.SusH5483for horseכַּסּ֣וּס׀ka.SusH5483and chariotוְרֶ֣כֶבve.Re.khevH7393for chariotכָּרֶ֗כֶבka.Re.khevH7393—so we can fightוְנִֽלָּחֲמָ֤הve.ni.la.cha.MahH3898the Israelitesאוֹתָם֙'o.TamH853on the plainבַּמִּישׁ֔וֹרba.mi.ShorH4334,where we will surelyאִם־ לֹ֥א'im- lo'H518 H3808prevailנֶחֱזַ֖קne.che.ZakH2388.”And the king approvedוַיִּשְׁמַ֥עvai.yish.Ma'H8085their planלְקֹלָ֖םle.ko.LamH6963and actedוַיַּ֥עַשׂvai.Ya.'asH6213accordinglyכֵּֽן׃ פKenH3651.

Another War with Ben-hadad

26וַֽיְהִי֙vay.HiH1961In the springלִתְשׁוּבַ֣ת הַשָּׁנָ֔הlit.shu.Vat ha.sha.NahH8666 H8141,Ben-hadadבֶּן־ben-H1130אֶת־'et-H853mobilizedוַיִּפְקֹ֥דvai.yif.KodH6485the Arameansהֲדַ֖ד אֲרָ֑םha.Dad 'a.RamH1130 H758and went upוַיַּ֣עַלvai.Ya.'alH5927to Aphekאֲפֵ֔קָה'a.Fe.kahH663to fightלַמִּלְחָמָ֖הla.mil.cha.MahH4421againstעִם־'im-H5973Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Yis.ra.'ElH3478.

27The Israelitesוּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לu.ve.Nei Yis.ra.'ElH1121 H3478also mobilizedהָתְפָּקְדוּ֙ha.te.pa.ke.DuH6485,gathered suppliesוְכָלְכְּל֔וּve.khal.ke.LuH3557,and marched outוַיֵּלְכ֖וּvai.ye.le.KhuH1980to meet themלִקְרָאתָ֑םlik.ra.TamH7122.The Israelitesבְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜לve.nei- Yis.ra.'ElH1121 H3478campedוַיַּחֲנ֨וּvai.ya.cha.NuH2583before themנֶגְדָּ֗םneg.DamH5048like twoכִּשְׁנֵי֙kish.NeiH8147small flocksחֲשִׂפֵ֣יcha.si.FeiH2835of goatsעִזִּ֔ים'i.ZimH5795,while the Arameansוַאֲרָ֖םva.'a.RamH758coveredמִלְא֥וּmil.'UH4390אֶת־'et-H853the countrysideהָאָֽרֶץ׃ha.'A.retzH776.

28Then the manאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֗יםha.'E.lo.HimH430approachedוַיִּגַּ֞שׁvai.yi.GashH5066the kingמֶ֣לֶךְMe.lekhH4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֒Yis.ra.'ElH3478and saidוַיֹּאמֶר֮vai.yo.MerH559אֶל־'el-H413וַיֹּ֜אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “This is whatכֹּֽה־koh-H3541the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah.wehH3068saysאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559: ‘Becauseיַ֠עַןYa.'anH3282אֲשֶׁ֨ר'a.SherH834the Arameansאֲרָם֙'a.RamH758have said thatאָמְר֤וּ'a.me.RuH559the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068is a godאֱלֹהֵ֤י'e.lo.HeiH430of the hillsהָרִים֙ha.RimH2022and notוְלֹֽא־ve.lo'-H3808אֱלֹהֵ֥י'e.lo.HeiH430of the valleysעֲמָקִ֖ים ה֑וּא'a.ma.Kim Hu'H6010 H1931,I will deliverוְ֠נָתַתִּיVe.na.ta.tiH5414allכָּל־kol-H3605thisהַזֶּה֙ha.ZehH2088greatהַגָּ֤דוֹלha.Ga.dolH1419armyהֶהָמ֨וֹןhe.ha.MonH1995אֶת־'et-H853into your handבְּיָדֶ֔ךָbe.ya.De.khaH3027.Then you will knowוִֽידַעְתֶּ֖םvi.da'.TemH3045thatכִּֽי־ki-H3588Iאֲנִ֥י'a.NiH589am the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah.wehH3068.’”

29For sevenשִׁבְעַ֣תshiv.'AtH7651daysיָמִ֑יםya.MimH3117the armiescampedוַֽיַּחֲנ֧וּvai.ya.cha.NuH2583opposite each otherנֹ֥כַחNo.khachH428 H5227,andוַיְהִ֣י׀vay.HiH1961on the seventhהַשְּׁבִיעִ֗יha.she.vi.'IH7637dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbai.YomH3117the battleהַמִּלְחָמָ֔הha.mil.cha.MahH4421ensuedוַתִּקְרַב֙va.tik.RavH7126,and the Israelitesבְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֧לve.nei- Yis.ra.'ElH1121 H3478אֶת־'et-H853struck downוַיַּכּ֨וּvai.ya.KuH5221the Arameansאֲרָ֛ם'a.RamH758—a hundredמֵאָה־me.'ah-H3967thousandאֶ֥לֶף'E.lefH505foot soldiersרַגְלִ֖יrag.LiH7273in oneאֶחָֽד׃'e.ChadH259dayבְּי֥וֹםbe.YomH3117.

30The rest of themהַנּוֹתָרִ֥ים׀ha.no.ta.RimH3498fledוַיָּנֻ֨סוּvai.ya.Nu.suH5127intoאֶל־'el-H413the cityהָעִיר֒ha.'IrH5892of Aphekאֲפֵקָה֮'a.fe.KahH663,where the wallהַחוֹמָ֔הha.cho.MahH2346fellוַתִּפֹּל֙va.ti.PolH5307onעַל־'al-H5921twenty-sevenעֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְשִׁבְעָ֥ה'es.Rim ve.shiv.'AhH6242 H7651thousandאֶ֛לֶף'E.lefH505of the remainingהַנּוֹתָרִ֑יםha.no.ta.RimH3498menאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376.Ben-hadadH1130also fledנָ֔סNasH5127to the cityהָעִ֖ירha.'IrH5892and hidוַיָּבֹ֥אvai.ya.Vo'H935inאֶל־'el-H413an inner roomH2315.

Ahab Spares Ben-hadad

31Then the servants ofעֲבָדָיו֒'a.va.DavH5650Ben-hadadsaidוַיֹּאמְר֣וּvai.yo.me.RuH559to himאֵלָיו֮'e.LavH413, “Lookהִנֵּֽה־hi.neh-H2009nowנָ֣אna'H4994,we have heardשָׁמַ֔עְנוּsha.Ma'.nuH8085thatכִּ֗יKiH3588the kingsמַלְכֵי֙mal.KheiH4428of the houseבֵּ֣יתbeitH1004of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּֽי־Yis.ra.'El ki-H3478 H3588are mercifulחֶ֖סֶד הֵ֑םChe.sed HemH2617 H1992מַלְכֵ֥יmal.KheiH4428.Let us go outוְנֵצֵא֙ve.ne.Tze'H3318toאֶל־'el-H413the kingמֶ֣לֶךְMe.lekhH4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478withנָשִׂ֣ימָה נָּא֩na.Si.mah na'H7760 H4994sackclothשַׂקִּ֨יםsa.KimH8242around our waistsבְּמָתְנֵ֜ינוּbe.ma.te.Nei.nuH4975and ropesוַחֲבָלִ֣יםva.cha.va.LimH2256around our headsבְּרֹאשֵׁ֗נוּbe.ro.She.nuH7218.Perhapsאוּלַ֖י'u.LaiH194he will spareיְחַיֶּ֥הye.chai.YehH2421אֶת־'et-H853your lifeנַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃naf.She.khaH5315.”

32Soוַיַּחְגְּרוּ֩vai.yach.ge.RuH2296withsackclothשַׂקִּ֨יםsa.KimH8242around their waistsבְּמָתְנֵיהֶ֜םbe.ma.te.nei.HemH4975and ropesוַחֲבָלִ֣יםva.cha.va.LimH2256around their headsבְּרָאשֵׁיהֶ֗םbe.ra.shei.HemH7218,they wentוַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙vai.ya.Vo.'uH935toאֶל־'el-H413the kingמֶ֣לֶךְMe.lekhH4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478and saidוַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּvai.Yo.me.RuH559, “Your servantעַבְדְּךָ֧'av.de.KhaH5650Ben-hadadH1130saysאָמַ֖ר'a.MarH559, ‘Pleaseנָ֣אna'H4994spareתְּחִֽי־te.chi-H2421my lifeנַפְשִׁ֑יnaf.ShiH5315.’”And the king answeredוַיֹּ֛אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “Is he stillהַעוֹדֶ֥נּוּha.'o.De.nuH5750aliveחַ֖יchaiH2416?Heהֽוּא׃Hu'H1931is my brotherאָחִ֥י'a.ChiH251.”

33Now the menוְהָאֲנָשִׁים֩ve.ha.'a.na.ShimH582were looking for a sign of hopeיְנַחֲשׁ֨וּye.na.cha.ShuH5172,and they quicklyוַֽיְמַהֲר֜וּvay.ma.ha.RuH4116graspedוַיַּחְלְט֣וּ הֲמִמֶּ֗נּוּvai.yach.le.Tu ha.mi.Me.nuH2480 H4480at this wordand repliedוַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙vai.yo.me.RuH559, “Yes, your brotherאָחִ֣יךָ'a.Chi.khaH251Ben-hadadH1130.” “Goבֹּ֣אוּBo.'uH935and get himקָחֻ֑הוּka.Chu.huH3947!”saidוַיֹּ֖אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559the king.Then Ben-hadadH1130came outוַיֵּצֵ֤אvai.ye.Tze'H3318אֵלָיו֙'e.LavH413,and Ahab had him come upוַֽיַּעֲלֵ֖הוּvai.ya.'a.Le.huH5927intoעַל־'al-H5921his chariotהַמֶּרְכָּבָֽה׃ha.mer.ka.VahH4818.

34Ben-hadad saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559to himאֵלָ֡יו'e.LavH413, “I will restoreאָשִׁ֗יב'a.ShivH7725the citiesהֶעָרִ֣יםhe.'a.RimH5892אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834my fatherאָבִי֩'a.ViH1tookלָֽקַח־la.kach-H3947fromמֵאֵ֨תme.'EtH854your fatherאָבִ֜יךָ'a.Vi.khaH1;you may set upתָּשִׂ֨יםta.SimH7760your ownmarketplacesוְ֠חוּצוֹתVe.chu.tzotH2351in Damascusבְדַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ve.da.Me.sekH1834,asכַּאֲשֶׁר־ka.'a.Sher-H834my fatherאָבִי֙'a.ViH1didשָׂ֤םsamH7760in Samariaבְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹןbe.Sho.me.RonH8111.” “By this treatyבַּבְּרִ֣יתba.be.RitH1285Iוַאֲנִ֖יva.'a.NiH589release youאֲשַׁלְּחֶ֑ךָּ'a.sha.le.Che.kaH7971,” Ahab replied.So he madeוַיִּכְרָת־vai.yikh.rot-H3772a treatyבְרִ֖יתve.RitH1285with himand sent him awayוַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵֽהוּ׃ סVay.sha.le.Che.huH7971.

A Prophet Reproves Ahab

35Meanwhile, by the wordבִּדְבַ֥רbid.VarH1697of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah.wehH3068,oneוְאִ֨ישׁ אֶחָ֜דve.'Ish 'e.ChadH376 H259of the sonsמִבְּנֵ֣יmi.be.NeiH1121of the prophetsהַנְּבִיאִ֗יםha.ne.vi.'ImH5030saidאָמַ֧ר'a.MarH559toאֶל־'el-H413his companionרֵעֵ֛הוּre.'E.huH7453, “Strike meהַכֵּ֣ינִיha.Kei.niH5221,pleaseנָ֑אNa'H4994!”But the man refusedוַיְמָאֵ֥ן הָאִ֖ישׁvay.ma.'En ha.'IshH3985 H376to strike himלְהַכֹּתֽוֹ׃le.ha.ko.ToH5221.

36Then the prophet saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559to him, “Becauseיַ֚עַןYa.'anH3282אֲשֶׁ֤ר'a.SherH834you have notלֹֽא־lo'-H3808obeyedשָׁמַ֙עְתָּ֙sha.Ma'.taH8085the voiceבְּק֣וֹלbe.KolH6963of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068,as soon asהִנְּךָ֤hi.ne.KhaH2005you departהוֹלֵךְ֙ho.leKhH1980from meמֵֽאִתִּ֔יme.'i.TiH854a lionהָאַרְיֵ֑הha.'ar.YehH738will kill youוְהִכְּךָ֖ve.hi.ke.KhaH5221.”And when he leftוַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ מֵֽאֶצְל֔וֹvai.Ye.lekh me.'etz.LoH1980 H681,a lionהָאַרְיֵ֖הha.'ar.YehH738found himוַיִּמְצָאֵ֥הוּvai.yim.tza.'E.huH4672and killed himוַיַּכֵּֽהוּ׃vai.ya.Ke.huH5221.

37Then the prophet foundוַיִּמְצָא֙vai.yim.Tza'H4672anotherאַחֵ֔ר'a.CherH312manאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376and saidוַיֹּ֖אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “Strike meהַכֵּ֣ינִיha.Kei.niH5221,pleaseנָ֑אNa'H4994!”So the manהָאִ֖ישׁha.'IshH376struck himוַיַּכֵּ֥הוּvai.ya.Ke.huH5221and wounded himהַכֵּ֥ה וּפָצֹֽעַ׃ha.Keh u.fa.Tzo.a'H5221 H6481,

38and the prophetהַנָּבִ֔יאha.na.Vi'H5030wentוַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙vai.Ye.lekhH1980and waitedוַיַּעֲמֹ֥דvai.ya.'a.ModH5975onעַל־'al-H5921the roadהַדָּ֑רֶךְha.Da.rekhH1870for the kingלַמֶּ֖לֶךְla.Me.lekhH4428,disguising himselfוַיִּתְחַפֵּ֥שׂvai.yit.cha.PesH2664with a bandageבָּאֲפֵ֖רba.'a.FerH666overעַל־'al-H5921his eyesעֵינָֽיו׃'ei.NavH5869.

39וַיְהִ֤יvay.HiH1961As the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ha.Me.lekhH4428passed byעֹבֵ֔ר'o.VerH5674,heוְה֖וּאve.Hu'H1931cried outצָעַ֣קtza.'AkH6817toאֶל־'el-H413the kingהַמֶּ֑לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428וַיֹּ֜אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559: “Your servantעַבְדְּךָ֣׀'av.de.KhaH5650had marched outיָצָ֣אya.Tza'H3318into the middleבְקֶֽרֶב־ve.ke.rev-H7130of the battleהַמִּלְחָמָ֗הha.mil.cha.MahH4421,when suddenlyוְהִנֵּֽה־ve.hi.neh-H2009a manאִ֨ישׁ'ishH376came overסָ֜רsarH5493withוַיָּבֵ֧אvai.ya.Ve'H935a captiveאִ֗ישׁ'IshH376and toldוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙vai.Yo.merH559meאֵלַ֣י'e.LaiH413, ‘Guardשְׁמֹר֙she.MorH8104אֶת־'et-H853thisהַזֶּ֔הha.ZehH2088manהָאִ֣ישׁha.'IshH376!Ifאִם־'im-H518he goes missingהִפָּקֵד֙hi.pa.KedH6485for any reasonיִפָּקֵ֔דyi.pa.KedH6485,your lifeנַפְשְׁךָ֙naf.she.KhaH5315will be exchangedוְהָיְתָ֤הve.ha.ye.TahH1961forתַּ֣חַתTa.chatH8478his lifeנַפְשׁ֔וֹnaf.ShoH5315,orא֥וֹ'oH176you will weigh outתִּשְׁקֽוֹל׃tish.KolH8254a talentכִכַּר־khi.kar-H3603of silverכֶּ֖סֶףKe.sefH3701.’

40But while your servantעַבְדְּךָ֗'av.de.KhaH5650wasוַיְהִ֣יvay.HiH1961busyעֹשֵׂ֥ה'o.SehH6213hereH2007and thereH2007, the manוְה֣וּאve.Hu'H1931disappearedאֵינֶ֑נּוּ'ei.Ne.nuH369.”And the kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElH3478saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559to himאֵלָ֧יו'e.LavH413, “Soכֵּ֥ןkenH3651shallyour judgmentמִשְׁפָּטֶ֖ךָmish.pa.Te.khaH4941be;you have pronounced itחָרָֽצְתָּ׃cha.Ra.tze.taH2782on yourselfאַתָּ֥ה'a.TahH859.”

41Then the prophet quicklyוַיְמַהֵ֕רvay.ma.HerH4116removedוַיָּ֙סַר֙vai.Ya.sarH5493אֶת־'et-H853the bandageהָ֣אֲפֵ֔רha.'a.FerH666fromמֵעֲלֵ֖יme.'alH5921his eyesעֵינָ֑יו'ei.NavH5869,and the kingמֶ֣לֶךְMe.lekhH4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478recognizedוַיַּכֵּ֤רvai.ya.KerH5234himאֹתוֹ֙'o.ToH853asכִּ֥יkiH3588הֽוּא׃Hu'H1931one of the prophetsמֵֽהַנְּבִאִ֖יםme.ha.ne.vi.'ImH5030.

42And the prophet saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559toאֵלָ֗יו'e.LavH413the king, “This is whatכֹּ֚הkohH3541the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068saysאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559: ‘Becauseיַ֛עַןYa.'anH3282you have let slipשִׁלַּ֥חְתָּshi.Lach.taH7971אֶת־'et-H853from your handמִיָּ֑דmi.YadH3027the manאִישׁ־'ish-H376I had devoted to destructionחֶרְמִ֖יcher.MiH2764,your lifeנַפְשְׁךָ֙naf.she.KhaH5315will be exchangedוְהָיְתָ֤הve.ha.ye.TahH1961forתַּ֣חַתTa.chatH8478his lifeנַפְשׁ֔וֹnaf.ShoH5315,and your peopleוְעַמְּךָ֖ve.'a.me.KhaH5971forתַּ֥חַתTa.chatH8478his peopleעַמּֽוֹ׃a.MoH5971.’”

43Sullenסַ֣רsarH5620and angryוְזָעֵ֑ףve.za.'EfH2198,the kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElH3478wentוַיֵּ֧לֶךְvai.Ye.lekhH1980עַל־'al-H5921homeבֵּית֖וֹbei.ToH1004וַיָּבֹ֖אvai.ya.Vo'H935to Samariaשֹׁמְרֽוֹנָה׃ פsho.me.Ro.nahH8111.

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad

Another War with Ben-hadad

Ahab Spares Ben-hadad

A Prophet Reproves Ahab

Commentaries on 1 Kings 20