1 Kings 20 20

1 Kings 20:20 kjv

And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen.

1 Kings 20:20 nkjv

And each one killed his man; so the Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them; and Ben-Hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with the cavalry.

1 Kings 20:20 niv

and each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen.

1 Kings 20:20 esv

And each struck down his man. The Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them, but Ben-hadad king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen.

1 Kings 20:20 nlt

Each Israelite soldier killed his Aramean opponent, and suddenly the entire Aramean army panicked and fled. The Israelites chased them, but King Ben-hadad and a few of his charioteers escaped on horses.

1 Kings 20 verses

1 Kings 20 20 Meaning

This verse describes the pivotal moment in the battle between Israel and Syria, initiated by God's promise to Ahab. It captures the sudden and overwhelming defeat of the Syrian forces as they scatter in disarray. Ben-hadad, the arrogant Syrian king, is depicted as narrowly escaping with his cavalry, a stark contrast to his initial grand demands. The verse highlights the decisive turning point of the conflict, demonstrating God's sovereign power in delivering Israel.

1 Kings 20 20 Context

1 Kings chapter 20 describes two distinct wars between Ahab, king of Israel, and Ben-hadad, king of Syria. Verse 20 belongs to the first conflict. Ben-hadad, with a massive army of 32 kings, besieged Samaria and arrogantly demanded tribute from Ahab. Ahab initially capitulated but then, encouraged by a prophet of the Lord, refused. The prophet then delivered God's message: a small Israelite force, composed of "young men of the princes of the provinces" and led by Ahab, would defeat the vast Syrian army to demonstrate God's sovereignty. The initial engagement described in the verses leading up to 20:20 details how 232 "young men" first sallied out, followed by the rest of Israel's army, totaling 7,000 men. This verse, therefore, captures the immediate outcome of that divine intervention, where the formidable Syrian host suddenly collapsed, leading to a massive rout and Ben-hadad's personal flight. Historically, Israel (the Northern Kingdom) often struggled with idolatry, particularly under Ahab, making God's direct intervention in this victory a powerful demonstration of His covenant faithfulness despite their sin. Culturally, armies relied on cavalry for rapid deployment and pursuit, making Ben-hadad's escape on a horse with his horsemen indicative of a swift, desperate flight from a lost battle.

1 Kings 20 20 Word analysis

• And they went out: Hebrew: וַיֵּצְאוּ (vayyetze'u) – This collective action refers to the Israelite contingent mentioned in previous verses, primarily the 232 young men and subsequently the main Israelite army. The phrase denotes a decisive offensive move. It implies the initiative shifted dramatically, as the small Israelite force broke through the Syrian lines.
• every one his way: Hebrew: אִישׁ לְדַרְכּוֹ (ish ledarko) – This highlights the chaos and disorganization among the fleeing Syrians. Rather than maintaining formation, each man scattered independently in an effort to escape. It paints a vivid picture of a complete rout where discipline and order completely disintegrated.
• and the Syrians fled: Hebrew: וַיָּנֻסוּ (vayyanusu) – This verb signifies rapid escape, confirming the rout. It underscores the unexpected and overwhelming nature of their defeat, as the once arrogant and confident Syrian army turned to terrified flight. This fulfills the divine prophecy given to Ahab (1 Kgs 20:13).
• and Israel pursued them: Hebrew: וַיִּרְדְּפוּם (vayyirdephum) – This indicates the continuation and completion of the military engagement, ensuring the defeat was comprehensive. Pursuit was critical in ancient warfare to maximize casualties on the fleeing enemy and prevent their regrouping. This also signifies the Lord’s thorough victory.
• and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped: Hebrew: בֶּן-הֲדַד נִמְלַט (Ben-Hadad nimlat) – Ben-hadad ("Son of Hadad," Hadad being a major Aramean storm god, highlighting a subtle theological polemic against his false deity) barely survived. The word "escaped" (נִמְלַט) implies a narrow deliverance from peril, suggesting the extent of the Syrian collapse and his personal danger. His survival sets the stage for the second war later in the chapter, underscoring God's further dealings with him.
• on an horse with the horsemen: Hebrew: עַל סוּס וּפָרָשִׁים (al sus ufarashim) – This detail highlights Ben-hadad’s desperate flight. Cavalry units were typically the fastest and most elite. His escape on horseback with his horsemen suggests he prioritized his personal survival using the most rapid means available, abandoning his foot soldiers and possibly even his chariots. This paints a picture of a king in hasty, undignified flight.
• "they went out...and the Syrians fled": This phrase-group reveals the suddenness and success of the Israelite charge. The immediate outcome was the chaotic scattering of the Syrians, showing that God did not need Israel’s strength but His own.
• "and Israel pursued them...and Ben-hadad...escaped": These phrases juxtapose Israel’s continued military advantage with the Syrian king’s desperate, personal effort to save himself. It illustrates the extent of Israel’s victory and the enemy leader's abject humiliation.

1 Kings 20 20 Bonus section

The remarkable victory described in this verse is underscored by the sheer numerical disadvantage of the Israelite army. The Lord explicitly stated He would deliver the massive Syrian multitude into Ahab's hand through a small contingent, so Ahab "would know that I am the LORD" (1 Kgs 20:13). Ben-hadad and his confederate kings had been drinking and celebrating in their temporary shelters when the battle began (1 Kgs 20:16). Their complacency and intoxication likely contributed to the sudden and devastating rout, magnifying the effect of the initial Israelite charge, led by 232 young men and supported by 7,000 Israelites. This detail highlights not only God's direct intervention but also the divine humbling of an overconfident, debauched enemy.

1 Kings 20 20 Commentary

1 Kings 20:20 marks the decisive moment of God’s intervention on behalf of Israel against the overwhelming Syrian force. Despite Ahab’s chronic idolatry, the Lord, through a prophet, had promised victory to demonstrate His sovereignty, especially since the Syrians presumed the God of Israel was limited to certain geographical regions. The sudden flight of the Syrians signifies the divine panic instilled among them, transforming their confidence into utter chaos. The sight of Ben-hadad, the boastful king named after a false god, ignominiously escaping on a horse, stands as a clear testimony to the superiority of the God of Israel over any pagan deity or human might. This moment emphasizes that true power and victory come from the Lord, irrespective of human strength or military strategy, solidifying His Name and revealing His unfailing covenant faithfulness.