Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Kings 20

• We do not know if this refers to Ben-hadad I or II.

• Accompanied by thirty-two kings: Groups of kings often united in the ancient Near East. Shalmaneser III recorded Ben-hadad’s name as Hadad-ezer and noted he was in a twelve-king alliance against him at the Battle of Qarqar in 853 BC.

Ben-hadad's first group of messengers demanded that Israel surrender its treasures and people. Ahab agreed, wanting peace no matter the cost. He was willing to give up royal treasures and even his family to avoid a bloody war with a powerful enemy.

• When Ben-hadad's second group made even bigger demands (see 1 Samuel 11:1–2), Ahab realized Ben-hadad wanted war. Ahab agreed to the first demand but refused the second.

• my lord the king: Ahab spoke to Ben-hadad politely, showing he was willing to accept the Aramean king's rule. He might have hoped his polite response would prevent a fight.

• Ben-hadad’s third group gave an ultimatum: Surrender or die. His harsh threat to plunder Samaria was reinforced with a curse. This was a form of psychological warfare common in the ancient Near East (see 2 Kings 18:19–35).

• Ahab’s third response to Ben-hadad included wise sayings. The conflict's outcome was still uncertain.

Ben-hadad and the other kings were drinking in their tents, expecting Ahab to surrender. Ahab’s response was a challenge, so the Aramean officers got ready to attack.

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.

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).

marched out first: Ahab seems to have sent this small squad to test the enemy. In the ancient Near East, surprise attacks often divided soldiers into groups with special purposes:

1. To attack from two sides at once (a pincer movement) (Judges 7:16; 1 Samuel 11:11).

2. To trick the enemy into chasing them into an ambush (Joshua 8:15–22)

3. To draw the enemy to a place where the attacking army had the advantage (Judges 4:14–16; 5:19–21).

• Horses and chariots were important in ancient battles. Ahab's defeat of most of Ben-hadad's forces was crucial to prevent future attacks. However, God's prophet warned that the king of Aram would come back.

• in the spring: Late spring and early summer were common times for war in the ancient Near East. Armies could rely on good weather and grain from the early harvest.

The Arameans thought that Israel’s God had power only in the hills. This mistake gave the Lord an opportunity to show his true identity (1 Kings 20:28). Ben-hadad’s officers had a pagan way of thinking. They may have believed this error because of Israel’s history on Mount Sinai, where the Lord appeared to his people (Exodus 19:1–3, 16–18) or because Israel lived for a long time in the hill country of Canaan (see Joshua 10:40; 11:16; Judges 1:19).

But the Arameans did not know the truth: the Lord is the Creator and ruler of all the earth (Isaiah 40:28; 54:5). He is the only God, and only he can save (Isaiah 45:5, 22).

Ben-hadad's commanders believed they could easily defeat Israel on the plains with their skilled leaders and superior troops and equipment.

Aphek was east of the Sea of Galilee in northern Ramoth-gilead. Ben-hadad’s officers thought this place would benefit the Aramean chariots and weaken Israel's "gods of the hills."

• Even though the Arameans had more soldiers, Israel won a great victory with God's help. Everyone learned that "nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37; see Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27). When God supports you, the enemy will retreat (Psalm 56:9) and suffer heavy losses (Deuteronomy 32:30–31; 2 Kings 19:32–36). Israel could face their enemies without fear (Psalms 3:6; 27:1–3).

• God's promise to Israel through the prophet showed that this battle was for both Israel's safety and the Lord's glory.

sackcloth … ropes: Ben-hadad's officers knew the kings of Israel were often merciful. They advised approaching Ahab with signs of humble repentance (Joel 1:13; Jonah 3:5–9) and submission (Job 12:18; Lamentations 1:14). Ancient Near Eastern art often shows captured enemies with ropes around their necks. Assyrian kings bragged about piercing the lips or cheeks of their captives with ropes.

my brother: Ahab spoke to Ben-hadad in a polite way, showing respect for the Aramean king's authority and Ahab's wish for good relations. Ahab invited Ben-hadad into his chariot to warmly welcome him and to show that he should see Ahab as his equal. In the ancient Near East, kings spoke to each other as brothers to express friendship, good relations, or formal equality.

• The treaty between Ahab and Ben-hadad treated both sides equally, but it favored Ahab as the winner.

• The towns Israel lost to Aram (1 Kings 15:20) were returned, and Ben-hadad agreed to important trade deals with Ahab. Ahab likely thought this would be profitable and give him an ally against the growing power of Shalmaneser III of Assyria.

Ahab showed mercy to Ben-hadad, which displeased God. An unnamed prophet used symbolic actions to show this disapproval. God's prophets often used symbols to deliver his messages (Isaiah 20; Jeremiah 27:1–7; Ezekiel 4:1–3, 9–17; 5:1–4). By sparing an untrustworthy enemy, Ahab brought judgment on himself and his people instead of relying more on the Lord.

a lion will kill you: In the past, a lion was a tool for divine judgment (1 Kings 13:20–24). It would serve this role again when Israel was repopulated after Samaria's fall (2 Kings 17:25–26).

The Lord had told Ahab to execute Ben-hadad (see Joshua 6:17–21), but Ahab disobeyed. He might have seen the Aramean king as a prize of war (see 1 Samuel 15:1–23). Ahab, the king of Israel, would later regret this mistake. He faced Ben-hadad in another battle, which led to his own death (1 Kings 22:29–37). Instead of learning from the prophet’s warning, Ahab returned home angry and upset.

devoted to destruction: See “Complete Dedication” Theme Note.