1 Kings 20 22

1 Kings 20:22 kjv

And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.

1 Kings 20:22 nkjv

And the prophet came to the king of Israel and said to him, "Go, strengthen yourself; take note, and see what you should do, for in the spring of the year the king of Syria will come up against you."

1 Kings 20:22 niv

Afterward, the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, "Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again."

1 Kings 20:22 esv

Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, "Come, strengthen yourself, and consider well what you have to do, for in the spring the king of Syria will come up against you."

1 Kings 20:22 nlt

Afterward the prophet said to King Ahab, "Get ready for another attack. Begin making plans now, for the king of Aram will come back next spring. "

1 Kings 20 verses

1 Kings 20 22 Meaning

This verse conveys a divine warning given by an unnamed prophet to King Ahab of Israel, instructing him to prepare diligently for an impending invasion. It reveals that the king of Aram, Ben-Hadad, would resume his attack at a predictable time—the beginning of the new year, which was traditionally the season for military campaigns. The prophet's message underscores the importance of physical, strategic, and possibly spiritual readiness for the inevitable conflict.

1 Kings 20 22 Context

First Kings chapter 20 describes two wars between Israel and Aram (Syria) under the reign of King Ahab. Prior to this verse, the Aramean king Ben-Hadad had besieged Samaria, but through the guidance of an unnamed prophet and God's intervention, Israel gained a surprising victory against overwhelming odds (1 Ki 20:1-21). However, Ahab, instead of utterly destroying Ben-Hadad as God may have implicitly desired through the oracle's judgment (similar to Saul's error with Agag), made a covenant with him (1 Ki 20:34), which resulted in another prophetic judgment upon Ahab himself (1 Ki 20:35-43).

Verse 22 directly follows this first war and a general observation that the Arameans realized that the "God of the hills" had helped Israel (1 Ki 20:23). This verse shows God's continued involvement and care for Israel, despite Ahab's flawed character and recent disobedience in sparing Ben-Hadad. It provides a divine intelligence report, giving Ahab advanced warning and a specific instruction for the inevitable renewed conflict, which will culminate in the battle of Aphek. This grace-filled warning contrasts with Ahab's own unfaithfulness and underscores God's sovereign plan for Israel.

1 Kings 20 22 Word Analysis

• Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, 'Go and strengthen yourself and know and see what you must do, for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you.'

• The prophet (הַנָּבִיא, ha-naví): The definite article points to a specific, recognized prophet, likely the same one who gave previous guidance in the chapter. Navi signifies one who is called by God, speaks for God, and interprets God's will to the people or king. His presence here highlights that divine communication persists despite Ahab's spiritual decline.

• came near (וַיִּגַּשׁ, va-yigásh): Implies a direct and intentional approach, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the message being delivered. It's a formal and respectful way of initiating conversation with a king.

• king of Israel (מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל, méleḵ yiśrā'ēl): Refers specifically to King Ahab, identifying the recipient of the divine message by his royal office. This highlights the message's relevance to national security and the responsibilities of leadership before God, regardless of the leader's personal devotion.

• Go (לֵךְ, lekh): An imperative, commanding action. It suggests immediate and decisive movement or application of the subsequent instructions.

• strengthen yourself (הִתְחַזַּק, hitḥazzáq): A reflexive imperative of the root ḥāzaq, meaning "to be strong" or "to seize." The reflexive form emphasizes a self-exertion, not just physical strength but also mental resolve, organization, and moral courage. It entails diligent preparation, fortifying defenses, and gathering resources. This divine instruction implies that despite God's help, human effort and strategic planning are also necessary.

• know (וּדַע, u-da'): An imperative from the root yada', meaning "to know," "to understand," or "to perceive." This is more than factual knowledge; it implies deep understanding, discernment, and recognition of the implications. It involves assessing the situation and formulating plans.

• and see (וּרְאֵה, u-re'ēh): An imperative from the root ra'ah, meaning "to see," "to look," "to discern." Coupled with "know," it emphasizes thorough examination, foresight, and spiritual insight into the path forward. It calls for strategic vision and tactical awareness.

• what you must do (מַה־תַּעֲשֶׂה, mah ta'aseh): Implies a need for clear action and strategy. This is a practical injunction, requiring a definitive course of action based on the "knowing" and "seeing" previously commanded. It demands not just contemplation but decisive preparation and execution.

• for at the turn of the year (כִּי לִתְשׁוּבַת הַשָּׁנָה, kî li-tĕšuvat haš-šānāh): Literally, "for at the return of the year." This phrase indicates the springtime, typically the beginning of the campaigning season for ancient Near Eastern armies. This shows precise divine foreknowledge and enables meticulous planning for Ahab.

• the king of Aram will come up against you (מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם עֹלֶה עָלֶיךָ, méleḵ 'ārām ‘ōleh 'ālāykhā): A definite prophecy of the next attack. 'Oleh (coming up) signifies the act of an army advancing or ascending. This detailed intelligence about the enemy and the timing further highlights God's sovereign control over world events and His continued care for Israel despite Ahab's sin.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Go and strengthen yourself and know and see what you must do": This phrase functions as a comprehensive command for preparation. It transcends mere physical readiness, urging a combination of active strategic planning, gathering of intelligence, discernment, and decisive action. It implies a requirement for both human responsibility and an implicit need for divine wisdom to truly "know and see."

  • "for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you": This serves as the divine rationale for the immediate and thorough preparation. It's a specific, accurate, and undeniable prophecy, removing any doubt about the timing and identity of the aggressor. This foreknowledge is a profound display of God's omniscience and His ability to control or permit future events.

1 Kings 20 22 Bonus Section

• The unnamed prophet who delivers this warning serves as a recurring symbol in 1 Kings of God's unyielding commitment to communicate with Israel, even in times of significant apostasy under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Their anonymity often highlights that the message, not the messenger, is paramount.
• This verse can be seen as a divine polemic against the regional gods of the Arameans or any other deities. While Ben-Hadad and his servants might have believed their gods were "gods of the hills" (1 Ki 20:23) or capable of warfare, only the God of Israel demonstrates true omniscient control over future events, including the plans and movements of hostile nations and kings.
• The phrase "turn of the year" (תְשׁוּבַת הַשָּׁנָה, teshuvat ha-shanah) is also used in 2 Sam 11:1 when King David "sent Joab... at the time when kings go out to battle." This connection emphasizes a historical pattern and implies that astute leaders would already be making such preparations, though here it's an explicit divine command due to the specific, revealed threat.
• The warning here implicitly provides Ahab an opportunity for spiritual humility and reliance on God. While Ahab's track record suggests he wouldn't fully embrace this spiritual aspect, the warning itself remains a testimony to God's patient long-suffering and desire for Israel's welfare.

1 Kings 20 22 Commentary

First Kings 20:22 stands as a powerful testament to God's patient sovereignty and His providential care for His people, even when their leaders are disobedient. Following Ahab's misguided act of sparing Ben-Hadad against God's implicit judgment, one might expect immediate and harsh divine retribution. Instead, God, through His prophet, graciously provides crucial intelligence regarding an imminent threat. This act demonstrates His consistent mercy and a commitment to His covenant with Israel, regardless of Ahab's personal failures.

The prophet's instruction to "strengthen yourself and know and see what you must do" is not a mere tactical suggestion; it's a divine imperative for thorough preparation, encompassing physical fortifications, strategic military planning, and the discerning wisdom to choose the correct course of action. This phrase subtly hints that true success in battle hinges on more than just human might; it requires seeking and understanding God's will. The exact timing and identity of the enemy are revealed, reinforcing God's comprehensive knowledge of future events, thereby dismantling any pagan notion that success is merely a matter of fortune or the whims of other gods. God is demonstrably in control, revealing enemy plans, giving His people the necessary warnings, and providing the opportunity to prepare and act faithfully. It's a call to proactive readiness, underlining the principle that while God fights the battles, He also expects His people to be diligent stewards of their resources and discernment.